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DRAM2361 - History of Theatre I

Catalog Description: Survey of growth and development of the theatre from its beginnings to 1660 with consideration of dramatic literature, physical theatre, style of presentation, and social significance of 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: 5005055100

Course Subject/Catalog Number: DRAM 2361
Course Title: History of Theatre I

Core Curriculum:   State Criteria

Basic Intellectual Competencies (Those marked with a √ reflect the state-mandated competencies taught in this course.)

Reading
Writing
Speaking
Listening
Critical Thinking
Computer Literacy

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.

Exemplary Objectives (Those marked with a √ reflect state-mandated exemplary objectives taught in this course.)

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.

  1. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
  2. To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
  3. To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
  4. 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.
  5.   To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
  6. To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts.
  7. 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 2361History of Theatre I 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 Shakespearean 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities upon watching live theatre productions.
  4. 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.
  5. To articulate an informal personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities after viewing theatre productions.
  6. 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.
  7. 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:

  1. awareness, knowledge and recall – details and information
  2. comprehension and understanding – translation, interpretation, extrapolation, cause/effect and sequence
  3. application and use (ability) – information used in new and different situations
  4. analysis – examination and categorization of pieces of information
  5. synthesis – combination of information to create something new
  6. 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:

  1. Theatre’s place in history as the foundation of all Drama.
  2. Theatre is a direct reflection of society at any time in history
  3. Various styles of theatre, their origins, and historical significance.
  4. The major contributors and opponents to the advancement of theatre.
  5. Importance of self expression.
  6. The importance of respect of opposing thought.
  7. Theatre history from The Golden Age of Greece to Shakespearean works.
  8. Ability to analyze and defend opinions.

At the end of the course, the student should display knowledge of the following:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Professions in theatre, among them being theatre training for the voice, body, and mind thereby are able to recognize the importance of maintaining health and wellness.
  4. Important artists in the field of acting, directing, playwriting, theatre space construction, designers, and criticism.
  5. Attendance of theatre productions, and thereby develop the ability to make aesthetic judgments.

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:

  1. 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 and including Shakespearean theatre.
  2. 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.
  3. Define basic theatrical terms and use them correctly in class discussions and written assignments.
  4. Identify specific actors, directors, playwrights, critics, designers, and works when seen.
  5. Attend productions representing different theatre genres.
  6. Know specific stylistic characteristics and specific genres associated with theatre from the Golden Age of Greece to and including Shakespearean Theatre.
  7. Identify style of a production by its’ acting performance.

Course Content:

Students in all sections of DRAM 2361 History of Theatre I will be required to do all of the following:

  1. Attend one or more theatre productions on and/or off campus as required by the instructor and complete a critique.
  2. Read, analyze, and discuss reading assignments.
  3. Attend the Writing Center for specialized assistance in writing assignments.
  4. Fulfill library assignments and given research assignments-including use of the Internet and other electronic information sources.
  5. Take essay and/or objective examinations or quizzes over specified material, including vocabulary.
  6. Participate in student lecture presentations by actively presenting as well as listening and responding to presentations made by other students.
  7. Take notes over lectures.
  8. Participate in group projects or discussions
  9. Participate in theatrical laboratory exercises in class.

Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery:

Instruction for this course may be achieved through the use of lecture, discussion, class projects, student presentations, internet, video, watching recordings of theatrical performances, demonstrations, field trips, and 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
  • Collaborative learning projects
  • Exams/tests/quizzes
  • Homework
  • Internet
  • Journals
  • Library assignments
  • Readings
  • Production attendance
  • Research papers
  • Student-teacher conferences
  • 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.”

Texts, Materials, and Supplies:

Required:

  1. A College History of Theatre textbook

Supplemental:

  1. Anthology of plays

Other: