University of Oklahoma

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
SPAN 5433-900: Spanish-American Drama
Spring 2015
Instructor: Dr. Julie Ward
Office: Kaufman Hall 120
Email: wardjulie@ou.edu
Phone: (405) 325-2992
Office Hours: Monday 12:30-1:30PM; Wednesday, 3-4 PM; and by appointment
(on D2L at Informacin Esencial > Agenda una cita).
Learning Management System: https://learn.ou.edu
Course Meeting Time and Location:
6:30-9:30 PM, Mondays; Kaufman Hall Rm. 137
Course Prerequisite:
Graduate Standing or Instructor Permission
Course Description and Goals:
This course is designed to trace the development of Spanish-American drama from
colonial times to the present. Canonical and peripheral works from throughout the
region will be studied. It prepares students in various theoretical approaches to the
study of drama.
Texts and Materials:
Fortier. Theory/Theater, 2nd Ed.
Gambaro. Teatro II.
Buenaventura. Los papeles del infierno y otros textos.
Reyes. Men on the Verge of a His-Panic Breakdown
Sanchez, La pasin segn Antgona Prez, 6th Ed.
Materials posted on the OU Desire to Learn (D2L) system: Access D2L at
http://learn.ou.edu; enter your OU NetID (4+4) and password, and select
course to access material. Please contact Information Technology
(http://www.ou.edu/content/ouit/help.html) if you require assistance.

Expectations, Activities, and Assessment:

Participation. This course requires student participation. Over the course of the
semester, you will be expected to attend class prepared to discuss the assigned
readings. You should arrive punctually, participate in all class activities, bring all
materials to be discussed that day in either physical or digital format, and
demonstrate prior preparation (reading of primary and supplemental texts, looking
up unknown words and important terms, familiarizing yourself with basic literary
and socio-historical context of works). Because of the discussion-based nature of
this course, attendance is mandatory. Excessive absenteeism will negatively affect
your final grade.
Communication. Regular updates and relevant information regarding the course
will be posted to the news section on D2L. In order to ensure that you do not
miss any new information of relevance to the course, you will be responsible for
checking the class page at least once each week. Additional information, links, and
documentation will be posted on the content pages.
I will respond to your e-mails within two business days. For more urgent requests,
please see me after class or in office hours. You can make an appointment on D2L
under Informacin Esencial > Agenda una cita.
Documentar el teatro
In order to earn an A or B in the course, students must attend a live theatrical
performance and successfully complete an essay on their experience of the
performance. Specifications for this assignment are available on D2L under
Documentar el teatro. Essays should be uploaded within one week of attending the
performance, though the last day to submit an essay is March 23, 2015.
Guiar Discusin
In order to earn an A or B in the course, students must successfully guide the
discussion of one seminar session. The student in charge of a session will be
responsible for determining discussion questions, providing supplemental materials,
and managing time. Discussion leaders may present their interpretation of a work,
though this should not be the focus of the session; while it may be useful to include
a presentation or lecture, ample time should be devoted to discussion and dialogue
with other members of the seminar. More information is available on D2L under
Discusin.

Proyecto Interpretativo
In order to earn an A in the course, students must successfully complete an
interpretive project on a topic chosen in consultation with me. The project may take
the form of:
producing a conference paper presenting research on a topic covered in the
course;
directing undergraduate students in a theatrical production and writing about
the pedagogical implications of the exercise;
developing a syllabus for teaching a topic in Spanish-American drama for
undergraduate students;
proposing additions of dramatic works to the MA/PhD Exam reading list, with
rationale for the changes; or
another project proposed by the student, to be decided in consultation with
me.
Proposals for final projects are due to me via D2L (Proyecto Interpretativo >
Propuesta) on Thurs., Jan. 29, at 10AM.
On Feb. 2, rather than meet as a group, students will sign up for individual, 20-min.
meetings with me to discuss their proposals for the final project.
Each student will have 20 minutes to present their interpretive project during the
last week of classes (April 27, 2015).
Final Grade:
Assignments in this course will be graded using a pass/fail system, and no partial
credit will be awarded. The number of assignments passed will determine the
course grade according to the following requirements:
Students who do not meet the minimum requirements for a B will receive an F.
Minimum requirements for a B:
1. Attend at least 80% of class meetings (maximum of two unexcused
absences). Punctual attendance and participation required in all other class
meetings.
2. Satisfactorily lead one session of the seminar.
3. Satisfactorily complete Documentar el teatro essay.
Minimum requirements for an A:
1. Attend at least 90% of class meetings (maximum of one unexcused
absences). Punctual attendance and participation required in all other class
meetings.
2. Satisfactorily lead one session of the seminar.
3. Satisfactorily complete Documentar el teatro essay.
4. Submit satisfactory proposal for final project on time and meet with me to
discuss it.
5. Satisfactorily present interpretive project to the class.