Introduction to Theatre Fall 2011 3 credit hours week Instructor Mindy Manalp manalpmindys jccmi edu Course Description A survey of Western theatre and drama Appreciation of theatre through understanding of historical development and societal function Theatre architecture production costuming and acting styles and the artists who create it Course Objectives 1 To appreciate theatre as a means of entertainment and as an art form 2 To gain insight into the work of actors directors and designers 3 To understand the difference between reading a play and seeing a performance 4 To learn how to evaluate a performance 5 To learn how theatre from other times shaped the theatre of today The Board of Trustees has determined that all JCC graduates should develop or enhance certain essential skills while enrolled in the college Several of these Associate Degree Outcomes are addressed in this class including Demonstrating an understanding of the basic elements structures and processes of various artistic and creative endeavors and the value of the arts in human experience Demonstrating critical thinking through questioning interpreting analyzing evaluating inferring from and synthesizing information to solve problems in a variety of settings Required Text 1 The Essential Theatre by Oscar G Brockett and Robert J Ball Thomson Wadsworth ninth edition or later 2 THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams instructor provides 3 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare instructor provides Attendance Attendance is crucial for success in this course A significant portion of the student s grade comes from in class participation and from pop quizzes More than 2 absences will result in the reduction of the student s final grade Missed Assignments Quizzes cannot be made up under any circumstances Extra credit may be an option Exams tests and major projects may be turned in late or re scheduled if the student has a legitimate excuse such as serious illness or emergency A doctor s notes will most likely be required Students must make arrangements with the instructor for tests and or exams to be re taken within a week of the missed class Office Hours By appointment only an hour before class or in a local Starbucks Help Please email me if you need help outside of class I will be happy to assist you Remember no question is a stupid question Furthermore tutorial services are also available through JCC Tutors plus additional services for academic success can be accessed by calling 796 8415 or visit the Center for Student Success Bert Walker Hall room 123 Students requiring special assistance including those affected by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Center for Student Success This is the first step in acquiring the appropriate accommodations to facilitate your learning Academic Integrity Academic honesty is expected of all students It is the ethical behavior that includes producing your own work and not presenting other s work as your own either by plagiarism by cheating or by helping others to do so Assessment of Grades Students grades will be assessed as follows 1 In class participation discussions sharing journal entries theatre games 100 points 2 1 2 page critiques of two shows attended at JCC and or approved locations 100 points 50 points each 3 4 Quizzes 1 scene written 100 points 25 points each 4 Journal 50 points 5 2 Tests 200 points 100 points each 6 Set Design and Model 150 points 7 Midterm Exam 200 points 8 Final Exam 200 points 1100 points possible for the semester Grading scale 4 0 95 100 3 5 90 94 3 0 85 89 2 5 80 84 2 0 75 79 1 5 70 74 1 0 65 69 0 5 64 or under Classroom Protocol Please turn off cell phones or place them on vibrate upon entering class Refrain from texting or accepting calls If an emergency develops please step in the hall to use your phone even to text Nearly every class session students will be asked to participate in theatre games and teambuilding activities Please refrain from talking or being disruptive in anyway Please come with positive supportive and cooperative attitudes Journals Students will need a notebook or binder to serve as a journal Every class session a journal prompt somehow relating to theatre will be placed on the board Students will be asked to journal in response writing at least one paragraph for every prompt They will be asked to share voluntarily at random times Students should bring journals to every class session It is the student s responsibility to get any missed journal prompts Journals will be turned in at the end of the semester for a grade Criteria for Show Critiques The instructor is aware that portion of this critique will be subjective 1 2 pages minimum are expected typed double spaced 12 point font Address the following topics At least one paragraph must be devoted to each category 1 State the title of the show all in caps who the playwright is where it was produced and who directed it 2 Briefly describe the plot 3 Comment on two or three actors that stood out to you either for great acting or for poor acting 4 Discuss the technical aspects choose 3 lighting sound set make up and costumes You may also choose to comment on any music used in a non musical aka straight play 5 Summarize the whole experience