History of the Theatre TH 418
Dr. Teresa Durbin
Fall 2004 3 credit hours.
Office: 123
A&H Ext. 5821
MWF 1-1:50 p.m. 102 AH
E-mail: tdurbin@ashland.edu
Office Hours: TTH 11-12 ,
MW 10-11
or by appointment
Syllabus
Catalog Course
Description: A survey of the periods,
practices and theories of the theatre. First semester covers
ancient Greeks to the Elizabethan period.
Statement of Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to not only provide students with an
understanding of the major events, concepts, movements, figures and
ideas in theatre history from the Greeks through the Italian
Renaissance, but to also examine how history is recorded. How do
we know what we know about theatre history and what may have influenced
what and by whom history was recorded? Dramatic literature and
criticism from each period will also be examined for what it can tell
us about the theatre practices of the time and the society in which
theatre was created.
Course Objectives:
Students will:
1. Gain an understanding of major figures,
ideas and events in theatre history.
2. Identify the relationship between any given
phenomenon and the “space” and/or environment in which it occurred.
3. Enhance practical understanding of the
evolution of theatre technology and architecture, conventions and
literature.
4. Develop critical skills in analyzing
representative plays and criticism from each historical period.
5. Examine the changing role of theatre and
its relationship to society throughout history.
6. Examine the historiography of theatre
history and critically examine historical texts and history texts for
what is there as well as what is omitted.
7. Develop research, writing and presentation
skills
Students need a general critical education
that teaches them how to learn, to question, to do research, to work
alone and
in groups, and to act from reflective knowledge. (Shor
143)
Required Texts:
Living Theatre: A
History, 3rd edition - Wilson & Goldfarb
The Harcourt
Brace Anthology of Drama, 3 rd edition - W.B. Worthen
Suggested Texts: (available for
purchase in bookstore and on reserve in library)
Corrigan, Robert, ed. Classical Tragedy Greek and Roman:
8 Plays. New York: Applause Theatre Book Publishers, 1990.
Corrigan, Robert W., ed. Classical Comedy Greek and Roman.
New York: Applause Theatre Books Publishers, 1987.
Gassner, John, ed. Medieval and Tudor Drama.
New York: Applause Theatre Book Publishers, 1987.
Readings on Reserve in the Library:
Corrigan, Robert, ed. Classical Tragedy Greek and
Roman: 8 Plays. New York: Applause Theatre Book Publishers, 1990.
Corrigan, Robert W., ed. Classical Comedy
Greek and Roman. New York: Applause Theatre Books
Publishers, 1987.
Gassner, John, ed. Medieval and Tudor
Drama. New York: Applause Theatre Book Publishers, 1987.
Brockett, Oscar G. and Franklin J. Hildy.
History of the Theatre. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2003.
Anonymous. "A Sermon Against Miracle Plays"
Kalidasa. Shakuntala.
Scaliger & Castelvetro. Italian Renaissance
Commentary on the "Poetics"
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. Representative plays and dramatic criticism will be read
and discussed from each period. Students will complete one
research writing assignment.
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 expected 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 which 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:
* Prompt arrival to class
* Respectful and active participation in small and
large group class discussions demonstrating preparation as well as
comprehension of the material.
* Raising relevant and pertinent questions about the
material in an effort to better understand and evaluate the assigned
texts (plays, criticism, essays, etc.)
and their relationship to theatre history
Evaluation Criteria:
Play Cards
20%
Research
Project 30%
Exams 30%
Play
Discussion Leader 5%
Library Scavenger Hunt 5%
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 (3) 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.
Tentative Daily Schedule &
Assignments
(subject to change)
Items in BOLD are to be read prior to
that day's class
August
30 M
Introduction to the Course, Goals
September
1 W The study of
Theatre History
Read Wilson Introduction & essay
Theatre
History as an Academic Discipline by R.W. Vince
3 F The Greeks
- culture and society, festivals
Read Wilson CH 1
6 M Labor Day
- No Class
8 W Greek
theatre spaces
Read Worthen pp. 13-24
10 F Elements of
Greek drama, Aristotle's Poetics
Read Poetics in Worthen pp. 125 - 135
13 M Discuss The Oresteia (this is 3 plays: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The
Eumenides
Read in Worthen pp. 26-71, 150-151
15 W Discuss The Oresteia Play cards due
17 F Discuss Medea - Read play in Worthen pp. 92- 107, play
card due
20 M Discuss Lysistrata - Read play in either Worthen pp. 108-124 or
Corrigan pp. 12-68, play card due
22 W 20th
Century Responses to Classic Greece - Discuss Case & Slater
Read essays in Worthen pp. 136 - 149
24 F Roman
Theatre & Theatre Spaces
Read Wilson CH 2
27 M Discuss Medea or Oedipus - Read play in Corrigan p. 447 or p. 491,
play card due
29 W Discuss The Menaechmi - Read play in Corrigan pp. 247-340,
play card due
October
1 F The Roman
Poetics - Discuss Horace
Read essay, The Art of Poetry, by Horace
4
M Roman Wrap-Up
6
W EXAM I
8
F Theatre Research
11 M Theatre
Research
13 W
Theatre Research
15 F
Medieval Theatre - Culture and society, theatre spaces
Read Wilson CH 3, Worthen pp. 221-226
18 M Types of
drama, Discuss Dulcitius &
Paphnutius by Hrotsvitha
Read plays in Gassner pp. 1-27, play cards
due
20 W
Discuss The Second
Shepherd's Play - Read play in
Worthen pp. 244 - 255, Play card due
22 F
Discuss Everyman - Read play in Worthen pp. 256-266,
Play card due
25 M Medieval
Theatre Wrap-Up
27 W Asian
Theatre
Read Wilson CH 4, Read Worthen pp. 155 - 168
29 F Indian
Theatre & Sanskrit Drama
November
1 M Chinese
Theatre
3 W Japanese Noh
Drama, Discuss Matsukaze - Read play in Worthen pp. 170 - 176, Play
card due
5 F Dramatic
Criticism - Read Zeami's essay
A Mirror Held to the Flower" in Worthen pp. 196 - 216
8 M Japanese
Kabuki Drama, Discuss Chushingura:
The Forty-seven Samurai
Read play in Worthen pp. 177 - 195, 217,
Play card due
10 W Asian
Theatre Wrap-Up
12 F Exam II
15 M Research
Day - No Class, meet w/me to discuss research assignment
17 W Theatre of
the Italian Renaissance - society & culture
Read Wilson CH 5
19 F Italian
Renaissance
22 M Perspective
Scenery & the Proscenium Arch
24 W
Thanksgiving Break - No Class
26 F
Thanksgiving Break - No Class
29 M Types of
Drama/ Commedia - Discuss TBA
Read play, card due
December
1 W Dramatic
Criticism
Read essays by Scaliger & Castelvetro
3 F Italian Opera
6 M Renaissance
Wrap-Up
8 W Presentation
of Research
10 F
Presentation of Research
Research
Assignment Due
FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 13 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
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
ASSIGNMENT SHEET
ASSIGNMENT
Exam I
Exam II
Exam III
Play I - Agamemnon
Play II - Libation Bearers
Play III - The Eumenides
Play IV - Medea
Play V - Lysistrata
Play VI - a Senecan tragedy
Play VII - The Menaechmi
Play VIII - Dulcitius & Paphnutius
Play IX - The Second Shepherd's Play
Play X - Everyman
Play XI - Matsukaze
Play XII - Chushingura: The 47 Samurai
Play XIII - TBA
Research Project
Play Discussion Leader
Theatre Research Scavenger Hunt
Participation
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TOTAL POINTS
100
100
105
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
300
50
50
100
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YOUR SCORE
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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.
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