OURSE REQUIREMENTS

Introduction to Theater Syllabus 1 ACC Drama Department Intro to Theater

INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE

DRAM 1310 40146 Lec 004 RGC 201

Instructor: M. McQuirter MW 5:05-7:35

Office hrs: _______________ Office RGC208

Phone 512-223-3343 Email mmcquirt@austincc.edu

REQUIRED TEXT:

The Essential Theater. Oscar J Brockett 10th ed.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is a general survey of theater including the exploration of dramatic

literature, theory, and criticism; production arts, skills, and crafts; and theater history
from 500 BC to the present. It is designed to provide an overview of theatrical elements,
tools, and applications. My goal is to encourage your understanding and enjoyment of
theater. Course activities encourage students to move beyond readings and lectures to
an active participation in the learning process through the individual research
presentations and class discussions. As a result, the course requires good reading and
writing skills, and a willingness to tap into one’s own creative instincts. Finally students
are expected to attend departmental and area theater activities to witness the
professional execution of concepts introduced through the class.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

To begin to answer the question "What is theater."

To develop a vocabulary for the critique of theatrical forms

To understand and appreciate dramatic literature.

To recognize the historical roots of contemporary performance trends.

To analyze the production process.

To identify the form and technique of the production elements.

COURSE CONTENT AND REQUIREMENTS

Weekly readings

Reading quizzes and in class discussions

In class project workshops

Mid/Final Term Exam

While a large component of this course involves lectures and demonstrations, it is also
a participation-intensive course. The individual project and participation in class
discussions over the readings are as integral to your learning as are direct instruction.

It is of the utmost importance that you attend class regularly, and stay current with
assigned readings and written work. I will be available to assist you in your learning, but
it is after all your learning. Plan ahead, work diligently, ask for questions, succeed,
succeed, succeed… Introduction to Theater Syllabus 2 ACC Drama Department Intro to
Theater

CLASS ETIQUETTE:

Please respect one another by giving your full attention to performances, presentations
and studio work. When analyzing, please keep you comments productive and
professional.

PHYSICAL RISK:

This course includes activities, which by their very nature includes elements of physical
and emotional risk. While it is expected and encouraged that you will participate and
invest wholeheartedly in every exercise, please remain alert, follow directions, and be
aware of your environment while working individually or with others in the space. Please
inform me as soon as possible about any physical limitations or injuries that may affect
your participation.

CONTACT:

The nature of the work in this course often requires physical contact between students,
as well as between the instructor and students. If you are uncomfortable with such
contact, please notify me immediately.

GROUP PROJECTS:

Some group projects may require you to schedule times to meet outside of class for
rehearsal. The class attendance policy applies to these as well. If a partner fails to
attend an arranged rehearsal, it will count as an absence in the class.
LATE POLICY

Late written work will be accepted at a penalty of 15% per day. Written work should be
turned in to the instructor or to the ACC Rio Grande mailroom by 5:00pm or it will be
considered late. Performance work will not be accepted after the class period when it is
due. Performances will be scheduled in advance and must begin within five minutes of
their schedule time.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

• Please arrive for class on time, and sign in on the roll sheet.

• Roll will be taken at the top of class and/or after break time.

• Three unexcused absences without penalty to the final grade

• Absences, regardless of excuses, will not extend the due date of any assignment. Any
work due on the day of an absence will still be due that day.

• The instructor will not provide class notes to students.

• After your third absence, your final grade will decrease by half of a letter grade, and
will continue to fall half of a letter grade for every class missed thereafter.

• If you have six or more unexcused absences, you should drop the class.

BLACKBOARD

We will use the Blackboard program, an online website where students will be able to
read announcements, chat with other students, and download syllabi or other course
handouts. All students are responsible for class information posted on the
announcements section of blackboard ACC’s Blackboard server is located at
http://acconline.austincc.edu/.Students may also access Blackboard by selecting the
"Blackboard Login" link from the ACC homepage at http://www.austincc.edu.
Introduction to Theater Syllabus 3 ACC Drama Department Intro to Theater

Session Date Topic Assignments Due

COURSE
CALENDAR Wk
Week 1 1 Monday, June 07, 2010 Introduction to Course Syllabus

Origins of Theater Origins of Theater (PDF); Brockett Ch 1

2 Wednesday, June 09, 2010 The Theatrical Nature of Reality Read Brockett, Chapter 2: "The
TV Audience and Criticism;" Creating
Reality TV (PDF)

Week 2 3 Monday, June 14, 2010 Feminist Theater Spaces Read Brockett, Ch 11:
"Theatrical Space &
Design;" Ch. 9: "Theater
by and for Women" &
"How I learned to Drive"
only; excerpt/How I learned
to Drive (PDF)

4 Wednesday, June 16, 2010 Present Audience Projects (Reality TV/Space

Survey)

Week 3 5 Monday, June 21, 2010 Storytelling, Read Brockett, Ch 12:

Playwrighting, and West
African Performance
"Playwrighting &
Dramaturgy;" Ch 10:
"Theater in
Africa…Epilogue" only;
"Sundiata" (PDF)

6 Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Classical Dramaturgy Read Brockett, Ch. 4 "Festival
Theater" (Greeks and Medieval
only); excerpt from Oedipus
Rex(PDF)

Week 4 7 Monday, June 28, 2010 Present Scripts and Analyses;

Midterm Review

8 Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Midterm Exam

Week 5 9 Monday, July 05, 2010 Medieval European Read Brockett, Ch 16:
Costumes "Costume Design and
Makeup;" excerpt
from The Second Shepherd's
Play (PDF)

10 Wednesday, July 07, 2010 Noh and Kabuki and Makeup Read Brockett, Ch 10: "Theater in
Japan" only; excerpt
from Chushinguru (PDF) (4)

Week 6 11 Monday, July 12, 2010 Realism in Scenic Design Read Brockett, Ch 15:
"Scene Design;" excerpt
from A Doll's House

12 Wednesday, July 14, 2010 Present Designs

Week 7 13 Monday, July 19, 2010 Acting Anti-Realistic Read Brockett: Ch 14

Theater "Acting;" excerpt
from References to Salvador
Dali Make Me Hot

14 Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Gestus in Epic Theater Read Brockett, Ch 7: "Modernism
and Its Effect;" excerpt from The
Woman of Sechzuan (PDF)

Week 8 15 Monday, July 26, 2010 The Actor Manager in Read Brockett, Ch. 13:
Renaissance Theater; "Directing and
Producing;" excerpt
from Hamlet

16 Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Present Performances; Final Review

Week 9 17 Monday, August 02, 2010 Final Exam

READINGS