TAR 447 – HISTORY OF THE THEATRE

AND DRAMATIC LITERATURE IV

Syllabus

1.         Mike King

            Office: FA-227

            859-572-5647

E-mail: mking@nku.edu

            Office Hours:  MWF 11-12am, T R 12:30-1:30pm or by appointment

2.         Text:     Wilson, Edwin and Alvin Goldfarb.  Living Theatre: A History, 3^rd ed.

                                    Jacobus, Lee A.  Bedford Introduction to Drama, 3^rd ed.

3.         Objectives and Expectations

            a.         Objectives

1)   To increase understanding of the historical evolution of theater in the 20^th century, roughly from 1915 to the present day,  by completing all reading assignments and by participating in class discussions and activities.

                        2)         To better appreciate theatre’s cultural context by exploring social forces that helped to shape

                                    it and its literature across decades and countries.

                        3)         To improve potential for creating textured, informed theatre events by increasing familiarity

                                    with historical aspects of dramatic literature and play production across the centuries.

                        4)         To explore artistic representations of some playscripts relevant to various time periods by

                                    viewing portions of filmed versions of notable productions.

                        5)         To strengthen discerning interpretive and research skills by completing some form of

                                    independent project across the semester.

            b.         Expectations

                        1)         Attendance is mandatory.  Three unexcused absences are permitted, but only insofar as they

                                    do not interfere with assignments or the regular conduct of the class.  For each unexcused

                                    absence beyond three, the final course grade is lowered by 5%.  Also, class begins precisely

                                    on the hour.  Arriving after the door is shut results in a late.  Three lates equal one unexcused

                                    absence.  If you arrive late it is your responsibility to make sure I noticed your presence.

                        2)         Keep up with reading assignments.

                        3)         Attend all mainstage and blackbox productions.

                        4)         Much class time consists of lecture.  But within this framework, your willingness to share

                                    perceptions, ask questions, respond to observations made by others, and explore issues with

                                    curiosity will strongly influence your understanding of course material.  Please participate.

4.         Major Assignments and Grades

            a.         Exam #1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            15%  ----  

            b.         Exam #2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            20%        

            c.         Exam #3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            25% 

            d.           Exam #4……………………...          30%        

            e.         Monologue/Design notebook. . . .         10%

                                                                                  ______

                                                                                    100%

5.  Honor Code:  The work you will do in this course is subject to the Student Honor Code.  The Honor Code is a commitment to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct, a

                        commitment that, individually and collectively, the students of Northern Kentucky University

                        will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid

                        academic requirements.

                        Plagiarism is the deceitful means to obtain a grade by submitting another’s work as one’s own

                        without appropriate documentation.  If plagiarism is confirmed, the instructor may lower the

                        student’s grade or give the student a failing grade in the course.  Further, the instructor may

                        recommend to the chairperson any additional sanctions to be imposed, including suspension or

                        expulsion from the university.  (For further details, consult the Code of Student Rights and

                        Responsibilities distributed by the Office of the Dean of Students)

6. All details on this syllabus and the attached daily schedule may change at any time at the instructor’s discretion.  Changes in assignments or exams will be given in advance, though students are responsible for any information given in class, even if they are not in attendance that day.
7. Because the plays read and studied in this course are from the contemporary period, they may contain language, subject matter, or action that may be offensive to some people.  If you anticipate this being a problem, please discuss it with the instructor as soon as possible.