New+Syllabus

** Syllabus **

**THEA2100H: APPRECIATION OF THEATRE (HONORS)** Fall 2011 **M/W/F Fine Arts Building** **2:30-3:20**

E-mail: richmond@uga.edu
** Goals ** : The purpose of this course is to introduce you to drama and theatre and the unique collaborative process by which plays are created and produced. A new text is being used for this course: //The Creative Spirit: An Introduction to Theatre// by Stephanie Arnold. Please read the assigned chapters carefully. There are two reasons this text is being used this semester. First, it contains 5 good plays which I quite like. Because it contains plays there is no additional anthology required for you to purchase, which is a savings to you. Second, it attempts to incorporate Asian theatre throughout. Since my area of specialization is Indian theatre and I have spent a good deal of time in my academic career dealing with Asian theatre, I believe it will be helpful to you to better understand both eastern and western theatre and drama. The organization of the text lends itself to our 15 week semester system, which is also a help.

Please note that on this wiki I have also provided you a copy of my own, somewhat out of date, material on Theatre and Drama. 7 chapters and a preface and introduction give you some useful material. Especially valuable are opinions of specialists in the field found in the latter part of each chapter.

Theatre people are fond of saying, "The only way to understand theatre is to do it." This may be true. Therefore, you will participate in exercises and projects designed to give you an opportunity to express yourself creatively and collaboratively.

** Required Texts ** : Your text is //The Creative Spirit: An Introduction to Theatre// by Stephanie Arnold. Fifth Edition. NY: McGraw-Hill, 2011. My own work is drawn from //Theatre: The Collaborative Art: A Worktext with Readings by Prominent Experts//. Second Edition, Revised Printing, Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2000. Wise, Jennifer and Craig S. Walker. This wiki will grow and change throughout the semester with you input. Think of it as a way to communicate your ideas with me and with your peers.

** Methods ** : Some of this course is in a lecture/discussion format. Some of it is live and some is online over the Blackboard for the course. However, the course also has activities that require you to engage in practical exercises by yourself and with other classmates. It provides you an opportunity to collaborate with each other on a final project. Therefore, a portion of your grade will be based on attendance and participation.

** Participation/Attendance Policy ** : Needless to say, since much of the course is interactive with me and with your peers, attendance is mandatory.

** Evaluation ** : Attendance/Participation 10% Midterm Exam 10% 3 Production Critiques 30% Written Assignments 25% Final Project 25%

** Assignments and Exam Descriptions ** : 1. Attendance and Participation are vitally important thus 10% of your grade depends on both. 2. Discussion of the exams will take place later this semester. They are 30% of your grade. 3. Final Project: Half of the final project grade (15%) will be due prior to midterm time. It concerns a play you will be expected to read and be thoroughly familiar with. You will work with some of your classmates on developing this half of the project. The other half (15%) will be due at the end of the final week of classes. The final half is creative and will require you to exercise your creative ideas about the play in collaboration with several other classmates. 4. 3 Production critiques of plays produced by the Department of Theatre and Film Studies (30% of your grade). Tickets for the shows may to be reserved and paid for online at the following url: http://uga.edu/pac/theatrefilm.html. You may also purchase tickets at the Performing Arts Center Box office OR an hour prior to the show in the lobby of the Fine Arts Theatre. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SEATING FOR SOME OF THESE SHOWS IS LIMITED AND YOU SHOULD PLAN TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS EARLY. If you do not get your tickets early and the houses run full you will miss the show and receive a 0 for the critique of the show.

** Final Notes ** : Warning! Warning! University policy on academic dishonesty will most definitely be enforced. Committing plagiarism by copying the words or the original ideas of another person without giving that person full and proper credit, is an especially serious violation of this policy. If you violate this policy you will be reported immediately to the Student Judiciary for disciplinary action. According to university regulations, students convicted of plagiarism face one of three punishments: expulsion from the university, suspension for a semester, or a notation on your university transcript of academic dishonesty. I have come across such cases in the past and thus am especially vigilant. Please know that I will not be lenient for anyone caught!

If you have a disability and require classroom accommodations, please see me after class or make an appointment during office hours. If you plan to request accommodations for a disability, please register with the Disability Resource Center at 114 Clark Howell Hall, (706) 542-8719,http://drc.uga.edu/contact_request.php.