THEATRE 213-001: PLAY ANALYSIS Dates: Spring 2016 Credits: 3(~120 hours) Location & Meeting Time: Mitchell 375, MW 12:30 pm -1:45 pm Instructor: Alvaro Saar Rios Contact Information: riosa@uwm.edu 414-229-1144 Office: Theatre 280, Peck School of the Arts, UWM Office Hours: Tuesday 9-11; and by appointment only Catalogue Description: Methods of analysis of the dramatic text for production; the elements of a play through discussion and written analysis of selected works. Course Description: It is a truism in theatre studies that a play is a blueprint for production. A play (text) presents theatre practitioners with a nearly infinite set of possibilities for production; how, then, do practitioners approach and analyze the text in order to arrive at the most poignant, pertinent, and performative interpretation(s)? In this course, we will study David Ball s methods of reading and analyzing plays in an attempt to answer this question (or minimally to gesture towards possible answers). The analysis of play texts requires a different set of tools and methods than those used in the study of other types of literature, and therefore we will explore our chosen play texts with an eye towards their performance possibilities. (While students from all majors are welcome in the course, it is designed for theatre majors, and therefore standard theatrical terms will be employed.) The teaching/learning style of this course combines lecture, class discussion, and experiential activities (in-class exercises and class presentations). We re going to use lots of different ways to channel/ shape our critical thinking through talking (facilitating discussion, presentation, debate); writing (papers); visual work (used in presentations); and quizzes (good old fashioned tests). Important Information for Students: The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is dedicated to a safe, ive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduates and graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and Absence for University Sponsored Events. The details of this information are listed in the first module in the D2L portion of the course. Please refer to the D2L portion of the course. For detailed information on all policies including Conduct, Religious Observances, Evaluation, Grading, Exams, and Military Service please see: http://www4.uwm.edu/acad_aff/policy/ GER Rationale: This course is part of the GER Breadth requirement it satisfies the Arts credit requirement and focuses on UWM Shared Learning Goals(SLG) as well. This course addresses Arts GER Criteria. Students will be able to: Demonstrate comprehension of historical, philosophical, theoretical, or aesthetic perspectives commonly used in the understanding of a specific art. (Criteria #1) Compare and contrast the expressive and formal features of different artistic media and/or cultural traditions; this may be accomplished through an analytic study or as part of an original artistic work. (Criteria #3) THR 213 addresses the following SLGs: SLG #1) Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Natural World: THR 213 focuses on providing students with dramatic text analysis skills. Students collaborate to demonstrate dramatic text analysis skills using a contemporary dramatic text. GER Assignment: Final Project Pitch! 1
Assessment: See rubric at end of syllabus SLG #2) Critical and Creative Thinking Skills: THR 213 focuses on methods of dramatic text analysis of a dramatic text. Students are required to effectively communicate their understanding of dramatic text analysis by reading an assigned dramatic text, analyzing it according to the methods introduced in class, and writing a 3-5 page paper concerning this analysis. GER Assignment: Focus Paper Assessment: See rubrics at end of syllabus Required Texts Ball, David. Backwards and Forwards: A technical manual for reading a play. Southern Illinois University Press, 1983. ISBN: 0809311100 Parks, Suzan-Lori. Topdog/Underdog. Dramatists Play Service, Inc. ISBN: 9780822219835 Rios, A. S. Luchadora! Dramatic Publishing. ISBN: 1619590778 Shakespeare, William. Hamlet (Folger Library Shakespeare) ISBN: 9780743477123 Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. ISBN: 9780486264783 Wilson, Lanford. The Hot L Baltimore. ISBN: 978-0-8222-0533-3 Required Performances - UWM Mainstage Hot L Baltimore, April 27 May 1, 2016 Grading Policies: Your final grade will be calculated according to the following breakdown. 8 Play Quizzes: 40 points (5 points each) 1 Final Project Play Quiz: 10 points In Class Assignments & Group Work: 10 points Focus Paper: 15 points Hot L Baltimore Response on D2L: 5 points Final Project Paper & Pitch: 20 points If you have a condition that requires special accommodations, please make an appointment to discuss your VISA and your accommodations. I am happy to make accommodations for documented disabilities. However, please note that: 1) you must provide official documentation (VISA) in order to have accommodations made; 2) I will not retroactively provide accommodations; and 3) accommodations cannot be made unless and until you have formally discussed implementation with me. Assignments: Quizzes on Required Plays and Lectures: There will be 8 5-point quizzes given through the course D2L site throughout the semester. Quizzes will cover assigned play and various portions of class materials including lectures, handouts on D2L, clips, discussions, and performances. Since you know when these will occur, and since they are given via D2L rather than in-class, these quizzes cannot be made up. In Class Assignments & Group Work: Throughout the course, students will be given various homework readings and in-class assignments/group work. Some assignments will lead to minipresentations. It is necessary to be in class in order to accomplish these assignments. If you are absent, these assignments cannot be made up. D2L Discussion: After seeing Hot L Baltimore, you will be expected to write a short response and post it in the Discussions area on D2L.! 2
Focus Paper: Each student will choose an assigned a play in which they will write a paper on a specific topic. The written paper will consist of a three to five page typewritten pages regarding the elements of analysis discussed in this course. Guidelines will be provided on D2L. Final Project Play Quiz: In preparation for the Final Project, students will be put into groups and assigned a play on D2L. After reading the play, students will be expected to take a quiz concerning their assigned play. Final Project Pitch & Paper: For your Final Project Presentation, your group will be expected to prepare a pitch for the New Directions faculty, which answers the question, Why this play at this time for this audience? As a group, you will present a 12-15 minute Power Point Presentation Pitch for the class. Also, each group member will write a 3 page paper discussing his/her angle in the project. Course Policies: Participation: Students are expected to fully participate in all class discussion and in-class group activities. Each student should prepare for class by reading the assigned material and focusing thoughts regarding the topic of discussion for the day. Assignments: Late work is not accepted. Absence is not an accepted excuse for missing an assignment. Extra Credit: Extra Credit is also available for other UWM shows & professional performances in town. Instructor approval required. Each extra credit assignment is worth 5 points. E-mail: Check your panther e-mail at least once a week. The instructor has no other way of contacting you about schedule changes or quizzes or extra credit opportunities The instructor will respond to e-mails between Monday(8am) through Friday(5pm). E-mails sent after 5pm on Friday will not be responded to until 8am on Monday. Grading scale: Exam grades, project grades and final course grades are calculated on the following scale (note that quizzes and written exercises are graded on a point system as described above): 100-93: A 89-87: B+ 79-77: C+ 69-67: D+ Below 60: F 92-90: A- 86-83: B 76-73: C 66-63: D 82-80: B- 72-70: C- 62-60: D- Attendance/Lateness: Each student is allowed two absences without penalty. Three lates amount to one absence. If you are late, you are responsible for making sure you get marked on the roll sheet. In case of an emergency, unforeseen illness, or other extenuating circumstances that result in an accumulation of absences, please come and see/call/email me. Excessive absences will jeopardize your grade: 3 absences: highest possible grade is a B 4 absences: highest possible grade is a C 5 unexcused absences: highest possible grade is an F NOTE: If you miss class for any reason, you must take the initiative to contact a classmate to find out what material you have missed. You are still responsible for turning in all assignments on time. If you have to miss class due to required college business, you must alert the instructor and turn in all work early.! 3
COURSE SCHEDULE ***This syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations will be announced in advance.*** 1/25 M Intro to Community & Expectations; Review Syllabus Read D2L Handout Eukiah Hamlet 1/27 W Class Discussion, Hamlet discussion Read Hamlet Act I + Act II Scene 1 Complete Quiz 1 on D2L by 8 am, Monday 2/1 2/1 M Discuss Hamlet Read B&F ppgs. 3-15 (series of events) Re-read assigned scene & break it down event by event (Due in class on 2/3) Hamlet 2/3 W series of events breakdown, Hamlet scene group work Read Hamlet Act 2 Scene 2 Complete Quiz 2 on D2L by 8 am, Monday 2/8 2/8 M Discuss Hamlet Act 2 Scene 2 Read B&F ppgs. 45-55 (Forwards) 2/10 W Forwards, Hamlet In Class Group Work Read Hamlet Act III Complete Quiz 3 on D2L by 8 am, Monday 2/15 2/15 M Discuss Hamlet Act III 2/17 W Hamlet Act III Read Hamlet Act IV & V 2/22 M If you have a laptop, bring it today! In Class Group Prep for Quiz 4 Complete Quiz 4 on D2L by 11:59pm, Monday, 22! 4
The Importance of Being Earnest 2/24 W Bring Copy of The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde Read The Importance of Being Earnest (whole play) Complete Quiz 5 on D2L by 8 am, Monday 2/29 2/29 M Bring Copy of The Importance of Being Earnest for Class Discussion Read B&F ppgs. 19-31 (stasis, intrusion, obstacle) 3/2 W Stasis, Intrusion, Obstacle, The Importance of Being Earnest Group Work Read Luchadora! (whole play) Complete Quiz 6 on D2L by 8 am, Monday 3/7 Luchadora! 3/7 M Discuss Luchadora! Read B&F ppgs. 68-78 (Theme, Images) Create a character description of your assigned character. 100 words. Be prepared to turn it in on Wednesday. 3/9 W Theme, Images, Luchadora! Group Work Read D2L Handout The Actor s Nightmare 3/14-18 SPRING BREAK!!!! 3/21 M Discuss The Actor s Nightmare Re-read The Actor s Nightmare, Assigned Group Work 3/23 W The Actor s Nightmare Group Work Read Topdog/Underdog Complete Quiz 7 on D2L by 8am, Monday, 3/28 Topdog/Underdog 3/28 M Bring Copy of Topdog/Underdog for Class Discussion, Suzan Lori-Parks! 5
3/30 W Topdog Diaries Read Hot L Baltimore Complete Quiz 8 on D2L by 8am, Monday, 4/4 Hot L Baltimore 4/4 M Bring Copy of Hot L Baltimore for Class Discussion, Focus Paper Handout Write down three ideas for your focus paper. A paragraph for each idea. Bring two copies class on Wednesday. You will turn in one of them. 4/6 W Focus Paper Guidelines, Group Work to discuss paper topics 4/11 M Focus Paper Day 4/13 W Focus Papers Due Assign Final Project Plays & Groups Read Assigned Final Project Play Complete Final Project Play Quiz on D2L by 8am, Monday, 4/18 4/18 M Final Project Play Discussion 4/20 W Final Project Guidelines Handout Group Work (BRING LAPTOPS and anything else you need to do group work!!!) 4/25 M Research Day 4/27 W Final Project Group Meeting See Hot L Baltimore Post response in Discussions area by no later than 12:30pm, Monday, May 2 5/2 M Discuss UWM s production of Hot L Baltimore 5/4 W Final Project Presentations Part 1 5/9 M Final Project Presentations Part 2 May 12 (Thursday) Final Project Paper due in D2L Dropbox by no later than 2:30pm. No exceptions. ******************************************************************************! 6
RUBRICS Focus Paper A papers will demonstrate the following characteristics: 1. The paper follows the directions included in the assignment. 2. The paper achieves, states, and maintains a clear and consistent focus throughout. 3. The paper provides more than adequate for all main points. This would include specific references to the script, performance, production elements, etc... 4. The paper utilizes course vocabulary in a thorough and accurate manner. 5. The paper does not contain a pattern of serious grammatical errors and displays evidence of sound mechanical and grammatical style. B papers will demonstrate the following characteristics: 1. All of the above characteristics, except # 4. This paper is clearly focused, well ed, and well written but it fails to utilize course vocabulary in a thorough and accurate manner. C papers will demonstrate the following characteristics: 1. The paper has a focus, but may not consistently address this focus throughout. 2. The paper provides minimal for its main points. 3. The vocabulary for this is basically correct. 4. The paper may contain minor grammatical/mechanical errors. 5. The paper fails to adhere to some key elements of the assignment. D papers will demonstrate the following characteristics: 1. This paper lacks a central organizing principle and unifying structure. 2. This paper fails to provide adequate and does not make enough specific references to the script, performance, or other required sources. 3. Proper use of vocabulary is attempted but not standard. 4. The paper may contain a pattern of serious grammatical errors. 5. The paper fails to adhere to many key elements of the assignment. An F paper will demonstrate the following characteristics: 1. This paper has some or all of the problems listed under the D paper but in a more severe form: no focus, no, no attempt at accurate use of course vocabulary, serious grammatical and syntactic flaws and virtually no coherent message or opinions concerning the subject being analyzed. 2. The assignment is submitted after the deadline.! 7
Final Project Paper Exceptional A Distinctive B Successful C Substandard D Failing F informative; provides ample information based on thorough research; displays a mastery of dramatic text; uses course vocabulary provides some text minimally uses course vocabulary; no bibliography provides limited text displays basic knowledge of dramatic text; no course vocabulary unfocused; very little preparation; minimal or no unclear; lacks preparation; no Final Project Pitch Exceptional A Distinctive B Successful C Substandard D Failing F engaging; interactive; professional; cohesive; original; creative; provides ample proper formatting; group members display skilled understanding of dramatic text; provides some minor formatting issues; some members display professionalism; provides limited unfocused; very little preparation; minimal or no improper formatting no effort to display professionalism; unclear; lacks preparation! 8