California State University, Sacramento THEA 174 Multicultural Perspectives in American Theatre Fall 2012 Calaveras Hall (CLV) 141 Thurs 6:00PM -8:50PM Instructor: Nicole C. Limón Email: nicole.limon@csus.edu Office Hours: By appointment Theatre & Dance Department Phone: 278-6368 words written on the page enter a burial ground. But speaking brings them back. -Diane Glancy, Playwright COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES This course studies the historic and artistic contributions of Chicanos/Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans and Native Americans to American Theatre. It focuses on a range of plays from various ethnic and racial groups, forming a multicultural classroom experience; it specifically studies groups, from 1965 to the present, and examines the cultural, sociological and political climate in which these plays were created. By the end of the semester you will be able to: 1) identify key figures in American theatre, 2) compare and contrast dramatic representations of different racial and ethnic groups, 3) trace the development and concerns of American theatre as they relate to playwrights careers and artistic agendas, 4) synthesize various understandings of American race relations and ethnic experiences as presented in theatre and drama, and 5) apply the cultural and aesthetic choices made in theatre and performance to your own experiences. To accomplish these learning objectives, the following questions guide this course: How does theatre represent race? How does theatre represent ethnicity and culture? How do playwrights specifically and theatre in general address issues of racial/ethnic identity in both form and content? How can you use theatre and performance to discuss your own racial/ethnic identity? This course is designed to enhance learning and improve your critical thinking skills through writing and collaboration. You are required to complete reading assignments in advance, participate actively in class discussions and activities, and work individually and with your peers to demonstrate your comprehension of course topics. I encourage you to ask questions, share your own experiences, express your views, and find useful and creative ways to engage the material and each other. Keep in mind that we must all agree to disagree in order for this course to be fruitful as we explore political issues of culture, performance, race, class, ethnicity, gender, age, etc. THEA 174 meets upper-division course requirements for theatre majors and the General Education requirements for Area C4: Further Studies in the Arts and Humanities and Race & Ethnicity in American Society. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS In order to create and maintain a positive and productive learning environment, it is imperative that you treat me and your classmates with respect. Therefore, disruptive behavior (including but not limited to sending and/or receiving voice or text messages, leaving class early or coming to class late, talking while another individual is talking/performing, sleeping or eating during class, or doing assignments for other classes during this class) will not be tolerated. If you continue to disrupt class proceedings, then I will ask you to leave and deduct points from your attendance record. Please remember to TURN OFF cell phones prior to class. Unless you require disability accommodations, you may NOT use laptops, cell phones or other electronic devices to take notes during class. Please discuss emergency or unforeseen family situations that may, for example, require you to keep your cell phone on or bring children to class, with me in advance.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES If you have a disability and require accommodations you will need to provide disability documentation to SSWD, Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955. Please discuss your accommodation needs with me by the end of the second week in the semester. REQUIRED TEXTS & MATERIALS August Wilson, The Piano Lesson Milcha Sanchez-Scott, Roosters David Henry Hwang, Yellow Face Suzan-Lori Parks, Topdog/Underdog Ntozake Shange, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf Luis Valdez, Zoot Suit Quiara Alegria Hudes, Water by the Spoonful * (available in ) Additional required articles, media and other materials are posted on SacCT COURSE REQUIREMENTS **SacCT acts as a supplement to this course. You are required to consult SCT on a regular basis for announcements, assignments, quizzes, required readings, and other various class communications. Attendance () You are expected to attend class meetings. This class operates using a random roll practice, meaning that I take attendance at the beginning of the class on unannounced days throughout the semester. If you are present when your name is called, then you will receive 20 points. If you are absent, tardy, or leave class early, then you will receive zero points. I grant excused absences ONLY with official written documentation and in the event of illness, family emergency, work-related conflict, or a university sponsored event. Sending me an email stating you will not be in class does not constitute an excused absence. THERE IS NO LATE SEATING FOR THEA 174. If you find the classroom door already closed when you arrive, then please do not disrupt class by entering. Class has already begun. Quizzes (15 points each) Quizzes that cover the assigned readings, film screenings, and class discussions are posted on SCT throughout the semester. It is your responsibility to complete the online quizzes BEFORE coming to class on the due date. Please see the Class Schedule for quiz due dates and note that the quizzes are timed. You may NOT make up a missed quiz for any reason including technical difficulties. If you tend to have computer problems or issues such as slow or no internet access, I recommend taking the quizzes on a campus computer. Response Papers (50 points each). You are required to write two 2½ -3 page papers that assess your understanding of class readings and discussions in relation to the film and theatre productions that you see this semester. The specific guidelines and questions for each response paper will be posted on SCT. For the second assigned response paper, you are required to see the Sacramento State Theatre production of for colored girls who have considered suicuide/when the rainbow is enuf on Thursday, 8, 2012 at the Playwright s Theatre. Group Presentation (25 points) You are required to contribute and actively participate in a group presentation. Groups of three or four will create a presentation about plays we study in class. You will be required to submit a brief written synopsis of your presentation on the day your group presents. Guidelines will be posted on SCT. Take-Home Midterm Exam (). The midterm is a take-home essay exam. The exam questions and detailed instructions will be posted on SCT and will be discussed in class.
Final Performance (). How do you interpret your own experiences with race and ethnicity for performance? The final requires you to create an original 3-4 minute, memorized, performance piece. Final performances must examine your own experience(s) with race/ethnicity. Your theatre piece needs to creatively and critically engage ideas studied this semester in relationship to your own identity. Consider the characters, situations, culture, or history represented in the plays/playwrights we study & consider how race/ethnicity operates in your life. You may work in pairs, groups of three, or individually on the performance provided that the performance is 3-4 minutes per performer. The performance needs to be thoroughly conceived. Incorporating poetry, images, music, costumes, etc. is encouraged but not required. You will need to title your performance and submit a clean copy of your script at the time of your performance. Please sign up on SCT by Thursday, 8, 2012, to inform me of who will be working in your group or if you will perform solo. Extra Credit Extra credit opportunities will be given at various intervals during the course. You must be present at the time extra credit is assigned to receive extra credit, and you must have all current regular course assignments submitted. Extra credit is not a substitute for regular assignments. LATE WORK POLICY & ASSIGNMENT NOTES Papers are due at the beginning of class on the date they are due. I do NOT accept late papers or late assignments. You may discuss extenuating circumstances with me in advance. All written assignments MUST be typed, double-spaced using 12 pt. NEW TIMES ROMAN font, one-inch margins, and MLA style citations, and must be submitted to me stapled. GRADE BREAKDOWN Grades are based on points earned for the following class requirements: Attendance Response Papers Quizzes Group Project Midterm Exam Final Performance 75 points 25 points 500 points possible Grades From Points Earned: 500-472 (A); 471-448 (A-); 447-433 (B+); 432-418 (B); 417-397 (B-); 396-383(C+); 382-368 (C); 367-348 (C-); 347-332 (D+); 331-317 (D); 316-298 (D-); 297-0 (F) *See the university catalog for explanations of the grading system and symbols ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT This course operates on an absolutely NO Tolerance policy in regards to all forms of academic dishonesty. If I find you cheating or plagiarizing, then you will receive an automatic grade of 0 for the assignment and possibly fail this course. I will also report you to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Please visit http://library.csus.edu/content2.asp?pageid=353 for information on academic dishonesty.
Class Schedule (subject to change) Class Date Class Schedule (subject to change) Assigned Readings Reading assignments listed in this column must be read prior to class date. We will be discussing readings ON THE DAY THEY ARE LISTED. Quiz Due Dates Week 1 August 30 Course Introduction Race, Ethnicity & Multicultural Perspectives Theatre & Performance Toolkit Film Screening: Crash Week 2 6 Week 3 13 Week 4 20 Week 5 27 Self Portraits Discuss Assigned Readings Film Screening continued: Crash Quiz # 1 Opens on SCT : Crash Response Paper Defining Multicultural Theatre Playwright: August Wilson Film Screenings: Interviews with August Wilson Quiz # 2 Opens on SCT Continue August Wilson Play: The Piano Lesson Film Screening: The Piano Lesson Playwright: Milcha Sanchez-Scott Play: Roosters Staged Reading Film Screening: Roosters REMINDER: Read assignments prior to class. We will discuss readings on the day they are listed. McIntosh, White Privilege Tatum, Breaking the Silence Harrison, The Crisis of Black Theatre Identity Huerta, Looking for the Magic Berson, Introduction Wilson, The Ground on Which I Stand August Wilson, The Piano Lesson Milcha Sanchez-Scott, Roosters Quiz # 1 Quiz # 2 Week 6 October 4 Week 7 October 11 Week 8 October 18 Film Screening: Reel Injun Playwright: Hanay Geogimah Play: Body Indian (in class reading) Discuss Midterm Quiz # 3 Opens on SCT Playwright: David Henry Hwang Film Screening: Interview with David Henry Hwang Play: Yellow Face : Take Home Midterm Exam Playwright: Suzan-Lori Parks Film Screening: Interview with Suzan-Lori Parks Film Screening: The Topdog Diaries Discuss Group Presentation Quiz # 4 Opens on SCT Gener, Asian Americans: Why Can t We Get Cast in NYC David Henry Hwang, Yellow Face Quiz # 3 Week 9 October 25 Play: Topdog/Underdog Group Presentation Work Session Susan-Lori Parks, Topdog/Underdog Quiz # 4 Week 10 : Group Presentations 1 Week 11 8 Playwright: Ntozake Shange Play: For Colored Girls Discuss Final & Elements of Performance Meet at CSUS Playwrights Theatre at 6pm to see the Sacramento State production of For Colored Girls Attendance to this play is required. It is highly recommended that you purchase your tickets well in advance. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the CSUS Ticket office. The show starts at 6:30pm, however please arrive at class start time. For Colored Girls
Class Date Week 12 Class Schedule Con t. : For Colored Girls Response Paper Assigned Readings Reading assignments listed in this column must be read prior to class date. We will be discussing readings ON THE DAY THEY ARE LISTED. Quiz Due Dates 15 For Colored Girls Production Discussion Film Screening: Zoot Suit Riots Playwright: Luis Valdez Film Screening: Bettina Gray Speaks with Luis Valdez Week 13 22 Week 14 29 Thanksgiving Holiday NO CLASS Play: Zoot Suit Film Screening: Zoot Suit Course Evaluations Luis Valdez, Zoot Suit Quiz # 5 Week 15 December 6 Playwright: Quiara Alegria Hudes Play: Water by the Spoonful Course Wrap Up Quiara Alegria Hudes, Water by the Spoonful Week 16 FINALS WEEK December 13 FINAL EXAM DATE Thursday, December 13 Time: TBA Final Performances Due