--AESTHETICS OF THEATRE AND FILM-- THEATRE 5 GE REQUIREMENT: AREA C2 FALL 2012 SYLLABUS

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1 --AESTHETICS OF THEATRE AND FILM-- THEATRE 5 GE REQUIREMENT: AREA C2 FALL 2012 Dr. Roberto D. Pomo Office: Shasta Hall 257 Office Hours: Monday 1:30-5 PM pomor@saclink.csus.edu Or by appointment Tel.#: SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION. Cinematic interpretations of seminal dramatic works emphasizing the aesthetics of the theatrical art in relation to the cinematic medium. LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Theatre 5, Aesthetics of Theatre and Film is a survey course that includes the reading of seminal dramatic texts by Euripides, Plautus, William Shakespeare, Edmond Rostand, August Strindberg, Tony Kushner, David Henry Hwang, August Wilson, and Luis Valdez in juxtaposition to the viewing of cinematic adaptations of the plays read and realized by film directors such as: Larz von Trier, Richard Lester, Tim Blake Nelson, Michael Gordon, Alf Sjoberg, Mike Nichols, David Cronenberg, Lloyd Richards and Luis Valdez. CRITICAL FOUNDATIONS. Elements of the dramatic script, genre, plot and action, types of plot, character, theme, settings, styles of dramatic language; types of film adaptation from dramatic literature; interpretation and adaptation. AESTHETIC FOUNDATIONS. Analysis of cinematography, camera angles and composition, editing, visual rhythm, lighting, costuming, settings, sound, diegetic and non-diegetic sound, music, aural rhythm; acting and directorial choices. ANALYTICAL FOUNDATIONS. Written critiques and in-class discussions will demonstrate a critical understanding of the theatrical space in contrast and/or comparison to the cinematic imagination.

2 REQUIRED READING. Medea by Euripides. Due September 4 The Menaechmus Twins by Plautus. Due September 11 Othello by William Shakespeare. Due September 25 Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmund Rostand. Due October 4 Miss Julie by August Strindberg. Due October 16 Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner. Due October 25 M Butterfly by David Henry Hwang. Due November 8 The Piano Lesson by August Wilson. Due November 20 Zoot Suit by Luis Valdez. Due November 29 GRADING SYSTEM. For Non- Learning Community students, the grading system is based on the following requirements: 1) Six Unannounced Quizzes based on course-assigned plays (30%); Take-Home Midterm Exam (30%); Dramatic Scene (10-12 pages) or Film Script Sequence (40%). ATTENDANCE/TARDINESS POLICY. After THREE unexcused absences your final grade will be dropped by a full grade per absence. Two tardy arrivals will equal one absence. SEMESTER SCHEDULE AUGUST T.28 Introductory Comments; Review of Syllabus Film: Trip to the Moon, Georges Melies, Director Th.30 Discussion: Relationship of Theatre to the Art of Film Film: The Great Train Robbery, Edwin Porter, Director

3 SEPTEMBER T.4 Medea, Lars von Trier, Director Th.6 Medea Part II Discussion Dogme Technique. Principles of Tragedy T.11 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 1966 Richard Lester, Director Discussion: Principles of Comedy Th.13 A Funny Thing Part II Discussion: Principles of Comedy, Musical Theatre/Film T.18 The General, Directors: Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman, Directors (Clips Only); Good Morning, Vietnam, Barry Levinson, Director (Clips Only) Th.20 Comedy and Tragedy: The Essence of Western Dramatic Narrative and Performance Various cinematic clips T.25 O, 2001, Tim Blake Nelson, Director Th.27 O, Part II Discussion and supplementary cinematic clips *Take Home Midterm Exam Due OCTOBER T.2 Shakespeare on Film From Stage to Cinema Discussion and Various Cinematic Clips Th.4 Cyrano de Bergerac, Michael Gordon, Director T.9 Cyrano de Bergerac, Part II Romanticism in the Theatrical and Cinematic Narrative Th.11 Cyrano de Bergerac, William Ball, Director. Clips only T.16 Miss Julie, Alf Sjoberg, Director Th.18 Miss Julie, Part II Discussion: Naturalism, Socio-economics and Gender

4 T.23 The Doll s House, Patrick Garland. Clips only Discussion: Realism and Naturalism Th.25 Angels in America, Mike Nichols, Director T.30 Angels in America, Part II NOVEMBER Th.1 Post-Modern American Performance Aesthetics Robert Wilson T.6 Discussion: Ms. Alexis M. Wong. Animation, Anime and Cartoon Cinema. Discussion and clips. Th.8 M. Butterfly, David Cronenberg, Director. Part I T.13 M. Butterfly. Part II Discussion: Orientalism Th.15 Guest Lecturer: Ms. Justine Yang T. 20 The Piano Lesson, Lloyd Richards, Director Th. 22 Thanksgiving Holiday No Class T. 27 The Cinematic Aesthetics of Spike Lee (Various Clips) Th.29 Zoot Suit, Luis Valdez, Director. Part I DECEMBER T. 4 Zoot Suit. Part I Th. 6 Chicano Theatre and Film *Dramatic Scene or Film Script Sequence Due CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE Cell Phones are not allowed. Please make sure to turn off all cellular gadgets and

5 portable listening devices when entering the classroom environment. Likewise, all forms of texting are prohibited, and laptop usage is solely restricted to class based assignments. Any student will be asked to leave the classroom if these etiquette rules are not respected. Thank you for your kind cooperation. Teaching Assistant: Ms. Alexis M. Wong Studio Art/Film Studies