Catalog Description: An introduction to the nature of theatre art and the dramatic genres, and the functions of the basic practices of the playwright, actor, director, and designer in contemporary theatre.
Lecture Hrs = 3, Lab Hrs = 0
Prerequisite(s):
Prerequisite: READ 300 or ESOL 310 or equivalent
Semester Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours per Week: Contact Hours per Semester: 48 State Approval Code: 5005015100
Course Subject/Catalog Number: : DRAM 1310
Course Title: Introduction to Theatre
Core Curriculum: State Criteria
Basic Intellectual Competencies (Those marked with a √ reflect the state-mandated
competencies taught in this course.)
Perspectives (Those marked with a √ reflect the state-mandated perspectives
taught in this course.)
Establish broad and multiple perspectives
on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world in which
he/she lives, and to understand the responsibilities of living in a culturally
and ethnically diversified world.
Stimulate a capacity to discuss and
reflect upon individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in
order to understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society.
Recognize the importance
of maintaining health and wellness.
Develop a capacity to use knowledge
of how technology and science affect their lives.
Develop personal values for ethical
behavior.
Develop the ability to make
aesthetic judgments.
Use logical reasoning in problem solving.
Integrate knowledge and understand
the interrelationships of the scholarly disciplines.
Humanities and Visual/Performing Arts: The objective of the humanities
and visual/performing arts in a core curriculum is to expand the students’
knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to
behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and
thoughts. Through study in disciplines, such as literature, philosophy, and the
visual/performing arts, students will engage in critical analysis, form
aesthetic judgments, and develop an appreciation of the arts and humanities as
fundamental to the health and survival of any society. Students should have
experience in both the arts and humanities.
To
demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and
humanities.
To
understand those works as expressions of individual and human values
within an historical and social context.
To
respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
To
engage in the creative process or interpretive performance and comprehend
the physical and intellectual demands required of the author or visual or
performing artist.
To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and
humanities.
To
develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern
the humanities and arts.
To
demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or
the arts on intercultural experiences.
Instructional Goals and Purposes:
Two of Lee College’s Instructional goals and purposes include (1) creating an
academic atmosphere in which students may develop their intellects and skills
and (2) providing courses so students may receive a certificate/an associate
degree, or transfer to a senior institution that offers the baccalaureate
degree. In keeping with these purposes, DRAM 1310 Introduction to Theatre
provides students the opportunities to (1) develop their intellects through the
reading about, listening to, and discussing major works in the various genres of
theatre, (2) develop their skills in critical responding to works from the
Golden Age of Greece to contemporary theatre works, in writing by writing at
least one critique of a theatre production, in computer knowledge by accessing
internet sources referenced in the text and lecture (3) fulfill three hours of
core requirements in Humanities/Visual and Performing Arts to meet degree and/or
transfer requirements.
General Course Objectives:
To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and
humanities after studying music and interrelated humanities of the various
historical periods.
To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values
within an historical and social context after studying the lives and times of
the significant dramatists and theatre theory
To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities upon watching
live theatre productions.
To engage in the creative process of interpretive performance and
comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of the performing
artist after learning about the personal sacrifices and triumphs of great
theatre artists of past and present.
To articulate an informal personal reaction to works in the arts and
humanities after viewing theatre productions.
To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or
govern the humanities and arts after studying the material in the course,
performing in class, and after attending approved theatre productions.
To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy,
and/or arts on intercultural experiences after studying material about the
other humanities and their influence on theatre and theatre artist around the
world, presented with each unit and chapter throughout the course.
Specific Course Objectives:
Lee College specific course objectives are developed on the basis of Bloom’s
Cognitive Taxonomy, which ascends in order of difficulty:
awareness, knowledge and recall – details and information
comprehension and understanding – translation, interpretation,
extrapolation, cause/effect and sequence
application and use (ability) – information used in new and different
situations
analysis – examination and categorization of pieces of information
synthesis – combination of information to create something new
evaluation – value judgment supported by reasoning
At the end of the course, the student should have demonstrated through tests,
quizzes, reading assignments, research assignments, class discussions, writing
assignments, and listening assignments all of the following knowledge:
At the end of the course, the student should be aware of the following:
Theatre’s place in history as the foundation of all Drama.
Define and discuss the six elements of theatre and identify them within
various productions.
Theatre is a direct reflection of society at any time in history
Various styles of theatre, their origins, and historical significance.
The major contributors and opponents to the advancement of theatre.
Importance of self expression.
The importance of respect of opposing thought.
A basic historical timeline form the Golden Age of Greece to contemporary
theatre works.
Ability to analyze and defend opinions.
At the end of the course, the student should display knowledge of the
following:
Lives of the great theatre artists and how they lived in respect to their
society, their era, and the world, thereby establishing broad and multiple
perspectives on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world
in which he or she lives so that the student understands the responsibilities
of living in a culturally and ethnically diversified world.
Different eras, represented countries, and periods of theatre history
which will stimulate the student’s capacity to discuss and reflect upon
individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in order to
understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society.
Professions in theatre, among them being theatre training for the voice
and body, and thereby be able to recognize the importance of maintaining
health and wellness.
Invention and development of electronic and computer based theatrical
design in various design elements in the 20th and 21st centuries, thereby
developing a capacity to use knowledge of how technology and science affect
their lives.
Great theatrical artist such as Sophocles, William Shakespeare, and Arthur
Miller who were deeply inspired in their response to certain religious and
political beliefs, and thereby develop personal values for ethical behavior.
Attendance of theatre productions, and thereby develop the ability to make
aesthetic judgments.
Practical production experience. This knowledge will allow students to use
logical reasoning in problem solving.
Relationship and interconnection between the various forms of the
humanities and theatre, thereby, integrating knowledge and understanding of
the interrelationship of the scholarly disciplines.
At the end of the course, the student should have demonstrated an ability to
do the following:
Identify the six elements of theatre from various productions.
Write a creative/scholarly paper responding to theatrical works presented
in the duration of the course, knowledge accrued of significant theatre
artists, stylistic periods and theatrical characteristics from the Golden Age
of Greece to Contemporary theatre.
Watch theatre productions and write a critique on what the student
observed, in terms of dramatic structure, playing space, audience, performers,
design elements, directions, and historical significance.
Define basic theatrical terms and use them correctly in class discussions
and written assignments.
Identify specific actors, directors, playwrights, critics, and works when
seen.
Attend productions representing different theatre genres.
Know specific stylistic characteristics and specific genres associated
with various periods in theatre history.
Course Content:
Students in all sections of DRAM 1310 Introduction to Theatre will be
required to do all of the following:
Attend one or more theatre productions on and/or off campus as required by
the instructor and complete a critique.
Read, analyze, and discuss reading assignments.
Attend the Writing Center for specialized assistance in writing
assignments.
Fulfill library assignments and given research assignments-including use
of the Internet and other electronic information sources.
Take essay and/or objective examinations or quizzes over specified
material, including vocabulary.
Participate in student lecture presentations by actively presenting as
well as listening and responding to presentations made by other students.
Take notes over lectures.
Participate in group projects or discussions
Participate in theatrical laboratory exercises in class.
Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery:
Faculty may choose from but are not limited to the following methods of
instruction: lecture, discussion, Internet, video, television, demonstrations,
field trips, collaboration, readings.
Assessment:
Faculty may assign both in- and out-of-class activities to evaluate students’
knowledge and abilities. Faculty may choose from the following methods:
Attendance
Class preparedness and participation
Collaborative learning projects
Compositions
Exams/tests/quizzes
Homework
Internet
Journals
Library assignments
Readings
Research papers
Written assignments
Course Grade:
Students’ final grades are determined by an assessment of their work as
reflected in their overall performance. Determining factors that may be used by
the instructor are listed above under “Assessment.”
3 exams.
2 critiques over current semester productions.
2 projects.
Quizzes.
Class participation.
Students’ final grades are determined by the following grading scale:
100-90
A
89-80
B
79-70
C
69-60
D
59 or below
F
Texts, Materials, and Supplies:
Required:
A College Introduction to Theatre textbook
Supplemental:
A theatre-goers guide that may accompany the text-book.
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