TH
3SG American Musical Theatre
Dr.
Teresa Durbin
Fall
2004 3 credit hours
Office: 123 A&H Ext. 5821
TTH 9:25 – 10:40
a.m. 102 AH
E-mail:
tdurbin@ashland.edu
Office Hours: TTH 11-12 , MW 10-11
or by appointment
Syllabus
Catalog Course Description: This
course is an exploration of the development of the Broadway musical
during the twentieth century. Representative musicals will
be examined in terms of style, elements, and structure in order to
identify criteria for aesthetic evaluation. The contributions of the
major musical theater artists and practitioners of the 20th century
will be discussed as they relate to the evolution of this uniquely
American theatrical form. Meets Tier II credit for Aesthetics.
Course Purpose: The purpose of this
course is to examine the elements and content of the collaborative art
form known as Musical Theatre. The musical will be examined in
terms of elements, structure and original source material to understand
how the elements work together to create a cohesive work of
art. Representative musicals will be viewed, discussed and
examined in terms of content, structure, form and ideas. The
course will identify and discuss the contributions of the major artists
who have made a significant impact on the development of Musical
Theatre.
Course Objectives: By the end
of this course, students will be able to:
1.
Identify elements of Musical Theatre (book, lyrics, score, dance,
design) and be able to explain how the elements work together to
communicate meaning
2. Identify and
discuss the contributions made by significant musical theatre artists
to the 20th century American musical
3. Identify evaluative
aesthetic criteria for Musical Theatre
4. Discuss and analyze
musicals in terms of the aesthetic criteria established in class
5. Identify and discuss
Musical Theatre as an art form with social relevance
6. Articulately express in
writing and class discussion musicals viewed both in and out of class
as an example of Musical Theatre
7. Demonstrate an
understanding of how musicals are created, structured and performed
8. Effectively and
accurately communicate both orally and in writing
Required Texts:
Kislan, Richard. The
Musical: A Look at the American Musical Theatre. New York:
Applause Books, 1995.
Jones, John Bush. Our
Musicals, Ourselves: A Social History of the American Musical
Theatre. Hanover: Brandeis University Press, 2003.
Suggested
Texts:
Green, Stanley. Broadway Musicals Show by Show.
Wisconsin: Hal Leonard Corporation,
Instructional Approach:
Lecture, discussion and class activities will be used to supplement and
enhance the reading assignments. Reading, writing, creating,
thinking, discussing and asking questions will all be involved in this
course.
Classrooms
thrive on democratic dialogue where learning is an open
debate. Students need vigorous discussion in class for
education to be active and challenging. (Shor 112)
Class Preparation: It is my
expectation that you will come to class having read the material and
completed written assignments. In order to critically engage with
the material and your classmates, while reading you should take notes,
make observations and ask questions. Write down all questions
that are raised as you read the material and bring them to class for
discussion.
Class Participation: Class
participation is directly tied to class preparation. If you are present
and prepared for class you will be able to participate. The following
criteria will be used to determine your class participation grade:
1. Prompt arrival to
class
2. Respectful and
active participation in small and large group class discussions
demonstrating preparation as well as comprehension of the material.
3. Raising
relevant and pertinent questions about the material in an effort to
better understand and evaluate the assigned texts and their
relationship to musical theatre history and performance
Evaluation Criteria:
Project
1
15%
Project
2
15%
Project
3
15%
Project
4
20%
Exam
10%
Response
Papers 15%
Participation 10%
Attendance Policy: Your
attendance and participation in all scheduled class meetings is
expected. Erratic attendance should be avoided and missing more
than a week's worth of classes (2) will affect your final grade.
I understand that illness and unexpected circumstances do occur, please
notify me yourself if you are unable to attend class.
Academic Responsibility: Academic
integrity and honesty is expected of all students. Students are
expected to complete her/his own work/assignments. Any violation
of academic honesty may result in failure of the assignment and/or
course. Please refer to the Academic Integrity policies outlined
in the Student Handbook and University Catalog. While
discussion of class material outside of class is encouraged, it is
expected that all written assignments are completed by the student and
demonstrate each individual's understanding of the material.
Accommodations Statement: Students
with documented disabilities who require academic adjustments for this
class are requested to contact me to discuss reasonable
accommodations. While not required, it is in the best interest of
the student to have this conversation early in the semester. In
order to receive academic adjustments paperwork from Disability
Services must be provided to document this need. Disability Services is
located in 105 Amstutz Hall, ext. 5953.
GRADING
SCALE
94-100
A
80-82
B-
67-69 D+
90-93
A-
77-79
C+
63-66 D
87-89
B+
73-76
C
60-62 D-
83-86
B
70-72
C-
0-59 F
C work
demonstrates knowledge, comprehension and application of terms and
ideas, may have spelling and grammar errors, lacks organization and
clarity in written and/or oral expression
B work, in addition
to the above, also demonstrates analysis, synthesis and evaluation of
the terms and ideas, has few spelling and grammar errors
A work demonstrates
greater depth of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of terms and ideas
integrating concepts and topics from class discussions and
readings, is free from spelling and grammar errors, demonstrates
organization and clarity of expression
Works
Cited
hooks,
bell. Teaching to Transgress:
Education as the Practice of Freedom. New York: Routledge,
1994.
Shor, Ira. Empowering Education: Critical Teaching
for Social Change. Chicago: The University of Chicago
Press, 1992.
Syllabus can also be found online at www.ashland.edu/~tdurbin
Course Calendar & Assignments
(Tentative & Subject to Change)
| Date |
Topic
|
What is Due for Class |
WEEK 1
8/31 & 9/2
|
Introduction
to Class & The Making of Musical Theatre
Watch & Discuss Ragtime video, Explain Project 1
|
Experiences with Musical Theatre 1-2 pages for 9/2 |
WEEK
2
9/7 & 9/9
|
Elements
of Musical Theatre – the book & lyrics |
Read Kislan CH 10 for 9/7
Read Kislan CH 11 for 9/9 |
WEEK
3
9/14 & 9/16
|
Elements of Musical Theatre continued – The Score |
Read
Kislan CH 12 for 9/14
Quiz on 9/16 |
WEEK
4
9/21 & 9/23
|
Adaptations – Watch & Discuss Into the Woods
|
Read
Kislan CH 9 for 9/21 |
WEEK
5
9/28 & 9/30
|
Finish
Into the Woods
Begin Presentations for Project 1 |
Project
1 Due 9/30 |
WEEK
6
10/5 & 10/7
|
Finish Presentations for Project 1
More Elements of Musical Theatre - Dance
|
Project
1 Due 10/5
Read Kislan CH 13 fo r 10/7 |
WEEK
7
10/12 & 10/14
|
Elements
of Musical Theatre – Design
Origins of Musical Theatre
|
Read Kislan CH 14
Read Kislan CH 5 & 6 |
WEEK
8
10/19 & 10/21 |
Origins of Musical Theatre Cont.
Begin Presentations for Project 2 |
Read Kislan CH 7
Project 2 Due 10/21 |
WEEK
9
10/26 & 10/28
|
Finish
Presentations for Project 2
Rodgers & Hammerstein
Watch & Discuss Oklahoma! film
|
Read
Kislan CH 8 |
WEEK
10
11/2 & 11/4 |
Watch
& Discuss Oklahoma!
Revivals – Watch & Discuss Oklahoma! Revival
|
|
WEEK
11
11/9 & 11/11 |
Revivals – Watch & Discuss Oklahoma! Revival
|
|
WEEK
12
11/16 & 11/18
|
Project 3 Presentations
|
Project
3 Due 11/16 |
WEEK
13
11/23 & 11/25 |
Discuss Differences of Stage & Screen Musicals
No Class on 11/25 – Happy Thanksgiving!
|
Read
Kislan CH 15 for 11/25
|
WEEK
14
11/30 & 12/2
|
|
|
WEEK
15
12/7 & 12/9
|
|
|
Final Exam: Tuesday, Dec. 14 8 – 10 a.m.