THEA 1101-01 Theatre Appreciation, Spring 2022

Class Details

Course Details: THEA 1100-01, Theatre Appreciation, Fall 2021; 3 credit hours

Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 :00 AM – 12 :15 PM, Synchronous Online

Course Location: We will be using the D2L platform for assignments, discussons, grades, content, and annnouncements. We will be meeting virtually through MS Teams: You can access our online class (audio/video) on MS Teams using the link provided on our D2L Homepage.

Course Description

From the Catalog: A survey and critical appreciation of theatre. 

From Professor Hess: We’ll cover theories of theatre and theatre’s origins, a bit of theatre history from different parts of the world, read some plays and excerpts, look at the different types of theatrical productions in society today (like film and improvisation), and you’ll try your hand at one or more of the professional skill-sets.

All of my courses are generally very hands-on, project-based, and community-focused. Because theatre is a collaborative art, all major unit assignments for this course are group assignments that will draw upon the strengths and skills of each group member. The readings are essential. Although I am happy to expand upon your comments and answer questions about the readings, I do not lecture from the text. Rather, class time is reserved for answering questions, demonstrating skills, explaining assignments, andallowing you time to work with your groups.

Course Prerequisites

None

Course Resources

Required Text

Please purchase the following Cengage text, available from the GGC bookstore: Theatre in Your Life, 3^rd Edition, by Robert Barton and Annie McGreggor. ISBN: 978-1-285-46348-3

Course Objectives, Outcomes, and Assessment

Course Goals and Objectives (Faculty Perspective)

• Understand theories of how theatre began.
• Learn to appreciate the various styles and forms of theatre.
• Gain insight into how theatre helps people empathize and relate to others. 
• Understand production roles and how each position comes together to make up a show. 

Course Outcomes (Student Perspective)

Upon completion of this course, students will:

• Identify the various types of stages and the roles played in the theatre.
  • Students will meet this outcome within their written assignments; specifically, their slide shows and design projects.
• Engage in critical analysis of a play: the performance, text, and technical elements.
  • Students will meet this outcome withing their written assignments; specificially, their design projects and the extra credit critiques.
• Recognize the ways theatre helps us better understand humanity.
  • Students will meet this outcome within their written assignments; specifically, their slide shows and their design projects.
• Create a short production. 
  • At the end of the semester, students will work together to create a short production.

Course Assessments

Students’ proficiencies will be assessessed based on a combination of the goals, outcomes, and objectives of the course using the assignments listed below.

Course Requirements and Grading

I will use the online Brightspace Desire-to-Learn (D2L) gradebook for your grades. You can check your grades and graded items with feedback at any time on D2L.

Grading Scale

• A (Excellent) 90-100
• B (Good) 80-89
• C (Fair) 70-79
• D (Poor) 60-69
• F (Failure) 59 and below

Grading Points

• Syllabus Quiz – 10 Points
• Major Unit Assignment Holistic Scores – 30 Points
• Major Unit Assignment Group Participation Scores – 15 Points
• Midterm Reading Quiz – 15 Points
• Final VIA Portfolio – 30 Points + 10 extra credit points available

Late or Incomplete Work Policy

Please note that I do not grade late papers, papers that have not been submitted for a Turnitin report, or papers that do not meet the minimum word count or topical requirements. You may contact me to request an extension in a documented emergency situation, and in those instances, I will make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Because your major assignments for this class are group assignments, you must also remain in contact with your group even if you cannot attend class, and you must respect group deadlines.

Assignments

The following are brief summaries of the assignments and quizzes for this class. Complete instructions will be explained in class and posted in the Assignments area on D2L.

• Syllabus Quiz
  • You can earn 10 points by completing the syllabus quiz in the first three weeks of the semester.
• Midterm Reading Quiz
  • There will be a 15 point Midterm Reading Quiz due in Week 7. It is an open book quiz based on all of the required readings for the course.
• Major Assignments and Group Evaluations
  • You will be assessed on a 10-point holistic rubric for each of 3 unit assignments. You and your  group members will also assign each member (including self) an engagement and participation score on a scale of 0-5 for each assignment. In that way, you will earn 15 combined points per assignment.
    • Unit 1’s major assignment will be a group presentation (Google Slides or PowerPoint) that states each group member’s response to the prompt: “If I were a theatre professional, I would be a . . .” and explains their area of interest and how that job or interest relates to their life: past, present, and future. This should be based on the readings from Parts I and II of the textbook. I will provide a short example and assist during workshop as necessary.
    • Unit 2’s major assignment will be a group design project. Your group will choose a play script based on one of the excerpts in the text, determine the best style or form of theatre for that script based on both research and interpretation, and choose a type of physical performance stage for that script, and provide designs (costumes, set, properties, lighting, and sound) and justifications for those designs based on the play’s themes and meaning and based on information found in Unit’s III and IV of your text. Each choice must be explained and justified.You are also encouraged to work with a librarian to find copies of your script, work with the tutors at the AEC to help hone the writing as necessary, and work with me during workshop to help ensure you’re on the right track. You may create your completed designs and explanations using any software you wish; you will submit your project as one file of an accepted file type in D2L.
    • Unit 3’s major assignment is to write a 10-minute script and create a short production with your group using skills and strengths of each member (writing, design, editing, acting, directing). It can be an original stop-motion, animated, or live film. It can be a recorded live performance of an original 10-minute script. It can be improvisational theatre, like a D&D one-shot with extensive role-play, or a sketch comedy show. Your group must present your idea to me early in Unit 3 for consultation and guidance about your project. I will check-in with your groups during workshop for assistance, as necessay.
• Final Self Evaluation
  • Your final project is an ePortfolio in which you’ll reflect on what you’ve learned throughout the semester. It’s worth 30 points, but you can earn 10 extra credit points if you demonstrate you attended (in-person or online) and critiqued a live performance during the semester. There are several examples of how to question and write about  a performance in your textbook. If you complete the extra credit, be sure to include the critique as an attachment to your ePortfolio. You will use Via (through D2L) to create your ePortfolio. I will provide a walkthough of how to use the software and instructions on how to write good reflection paragraphs.

Important Dates

• Tuition and Fees Deadline           Jan. 12
• Classes begin                                  Jan. 18
• Drop/add ends                              Jan. 24
• Mid-term grades due                    March 7
• Last day to withdraw with "W"   March 9
• Spring Break                                   March 21-26
• Classes end                                     May 2
• Final exams                                     May 3-9
• Commencement                           May 11
• Grades due                                     May 12, by 9 a.m.
• Grades available                            May 16

Course Outline/Assessments

Week Week Start	Topics	Assignments Due	Points/Percentage
Week 1 Mon, Jan 17	Introductions	Check Group Assignments in Classlist
Week 2 Mon, Jan 24	Unit 1 – Explanation of Unit 1	Begin Readings – Parts I & II
Week 3 Mon, Jan 31	Unit1  – Questions and Comments about the Readings/ Assignment  Explanation and Workshop	Syllabus Quiz Deadline: Thursday, Feb 3 by 11:59 PM.	10 Points
Week 4 Mon, Feb 7	Unit 1 – Workshop
Week 5 Mon, Feb 14	Unit 1 – Workshop	Unit 1 Assignment Deadline – Slide Presentation and Group Evaluation: Thursday, Feb 17 by 11:59 PM.	10 Points 5 Points
Week 6 Mon, Feb 21	Unit 2 – Explanation of Unit 2	Begin Readings – Parts III & IV
Week 7 Mon, Feb 28	Unit 2 – Questions and Comments about the Readings/ Assignment Explanation and Workshop	Midterm Reading Quiz Deadline: Thursday, Mar 3 by 11:59 PM.	15 Points
Week 8 Mon, Mar 7	Unit 2 –Workshop
Week 9 Mon, Mar 14	Unit 2 – Workshop	Unit 2 Assignment Deadline – Design Project and Group Evaluation: Thursday Mar 17 by 11:59 PM.	10 Points 5 Points
Week 10 Mon, Mar 21	Spring Break
Week 11 Mon, Mar 28	Unit 3 – Explanation of Unit 3	Begin Readings – Part V
Week 12 Mon, Apr 4	Unit 3 – Questions and Comments about the Readings/ Assignment Explanation and Workshop
Week 13 Mon, Apr 11	Unit 3 – Workshop
Week 14 Mon, Apr 18	Unit 3 – Workshop	Unit 3 Assignment Deadline – Short Production and Group Evaluation: Thursday, April 21 by 11:59 PM.	10 Points 5 Points
Week 15 Mon, Apr 25	Final Project Explanation and Workshop
Finals Thursday, May 2	Final Project	Final Via ePortfolio Project Deadline: Thursday, May 2 by 11:59 PM.	30 Points + 10 Extra Credit Points

Final Exam Details

There is no final exam for this course. Your final project is due during final exam week.

Course Changes

This course syllabus provides a general plan for this course. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus, including changes to assignments, projects, examinations, etc., in order to accommodate the needs of the class as a whole and fulfill the goals of the course.