TEXT:
 The following playscripts are available in the University Bookstore:
 

  FASHION by Anna Cora Mowatt (Instructor Packet)
  BEFORE IT HITS HOME by Cheryl West
  THE WASH by Philip Kan Gotanda
  MY VISITS WITH MGM by Edit Villarreal (Instructor Packet)
  TALES OF THE LOST FORMICANS by Constance Congdon

 In every class, students read and discuss contemporary plays that both derive from and represent the rich variety of American multi-ethnic, multicultural society.  Emphasis will be on the works of playwrights from traditionally underrepresented groups.
 Theatre 453 aims to develop perception and judgment in the theatre artist by focusing on play analysis, theatre history, and the cultural origins of dramatic forms.  In addition to the intellectual development acquired from lectures and reading assignments, students will develop communication and critical thinking skills by the daily use of discussions and cooperative group work in class.   Students are expected to know how to research, analyze and compare/contrast historical trends.
 

REQUIREMENTS:

1.  ATTENDANCE AND LATENESS:  Students are expected to attend every class on time and contact the instructor prior to class should conflicts arise.  Repeated lateness will also lower grades.

2.   PARTICIPATION:  The largest percentage of grade points in this class is determined by a student's active curiosity and informed expression about the dramatic techniques and cultural significance of the works read in class.  Cooperative learning groups, panels, and in-class discussions provide students with opportunities to apply their understanding of dramatic structure and language, compare and contrast cultural trends, and synthesize their analyses of drama literature with theatre history.

3.  PLAY READINGS:  In addition to plays read and analyzed in class, students are expected to read one play every three weeks (for a total of 5) and hand in a reaction sheet on each (forms provided)  that details the storyline, characters, and themes.  A handout on contemporary plays is provided to the student.

4.  WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT:  Students are required to write one paper (approximately five pages long) based on plays read and discussed in class.  This paper focuses on one area of a play (character, theme, language, etc.) and clarifies a central idea or claim supported by evidence from the play.

5.  ORAL ASSIGNMENTS:  Students will twice take part in small group discussions of one dramatic element of a play read in class.  Each individual student will deliver a short (two minutes) response that presents the results of the group analysis as well as the focus of their own focused area within the group.  Each student receives a total grade that combines their group's grade and a grade for their individual presentation.

6.  EXAM:  One Final Exam will be used to assess the student's familiarity with the plays.

7.  GRADE DISTRIBUTION:

  5 Play Readings (2 points each) 5%  10 points
  Written Assignment   30% 60
  Panels (Oral Assignments)   15% 30
  Final Exam     15% 30
  Participation    25% 50
  Attendance        10%   20
   100% 200 points

Introduction (Syllabus - Assignments, Panels, etc.)

European-American Theatre
Introduction to American Theatre
Read and discuss FASHION by Anna Cora Mowatt
Play Reading Form #1 Due

African-American Theatre
Introduction to African-American Theatre
Read and Discuss BEFORE IT HITS HOME by Cheryl West

Asian-American Theatre
Introduction to Asian-American Theatre
Read and Discuss THE WASH by Philip Kan Gotanda
Play Reading Form #2 Due
Panel Presentation for THE WASH

Hispanic-American Theatre
Introduction to Hispanic-American Theatre
Read and discuss MY VISITS WITH MGM by Edit Villareal
Play Reading Form #3 Due

Workshop for Papers

Women's Theatre
Introduction to Feminist Theatre
Read and discuss TALES OF THE LOST FORMICANS
     by Constance Congdon
Play Reading Form #4 Due
Written Assignment (Paper) Due

- Thanksgiving - No Class

Panel Presentation for THE WASH
Play Reading Form #5 Due
 Evaluation