Lamar State College - Port Arthur

House Bill 2504

Fall 2016 Course Syllabus

DRAM-1310-01 - Intro to Theater

 
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Faculty Information
SemesterFall 2016
InstructorStafford, Laura Johnson
Phone(409) 984-6331
E-mailstaffolj@lamarpa.edu
Department
Liberal Arts
Chair:Barbara Huval
Phone:(409) 984-6330
E-mail:huvalbj@lamarpa.edu
Office
Hours:MWF 10-11am, & 1:30-3:30 and T-TH 9:30-10:30am MWF 8-10am QEP- (may be in FOB 112 or PAC 140)
Building:Student Center (SC)
Room:417
MyLamarPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you’ve logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the “My Courses” tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Course Information
Course Number91043
Course Description A general survey of the major fields of theater. Emphasis on observation and appreciation of various types and styles of plays, knowledge of the functions of the personnel and other elements of theatre production including its history, dramatic works, stage techniques, production procedures and its relation to the fine arts.
Course Prerequisites None
Required Textbooks Wolf, Laurie J. Introduction to Theater: A Direct Approach. USA: Xlibris Corporation, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-4797-2944-9

Check your Blackboard Class Announcements for messages from me about class materials.    Check your MyLamarpa email often for campus updates. You must be able to access the Lamarpa.edu site and Blackboard to complete this course. You must have access to a printer to complete assignments. The Gates Library Computer Lab is available to all students with current ID cards.
Attendance Policy Attendance/ Participation is Required (200 pts.) You are earning 3 pts per day!!! Be here it all adds up! Fully participating in class discussion and performance projects will earn points. ( loss of 3pts. per day for every absence over the excused 2 limit). Top 5 response papers for Chapter & Essay Readings count for 120 points of participation in this category. Missing any preparation days during the Group Scene project will forfeit those points – No Show—No Points!!!

Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. Attendance & Make Up Policy: Each student is allowed three hours of excused absence [court appearance, hospitalization of self, school sanctioned trip] (only 2 class periods). Each absence in excess of this ration will result in the loss of 3 points from this category for each day missed. Tardiness will count as a 1 point deduction from this grade category. Attendance /Participation is a requirement for this class. It is also a grade category. Full participation in the full class period is part of the course material; Leaving early will count as a tardy. Remember to make every effort to attend all class days. If you are absent more than 5 class hours (2 class periods count as 3 hours) you may be dropped from the class by the professor with the grade you have earned. Save your excused absences until it is truly an emergency. The group performance project does not have any way to make up lost points. No Show – No Points.

There will be no make up exams given in class time, in extreme cases it may be possible to take the unit exams in the Student Learning Center, but that must be arranged with Dr. Stafford in advance. There are NO RE-TESTS.
There are limited days for the completion of the oral projects and everyone must be ready. It is your responsibility to follow the agenda calendar and be ready to present. All written reports are due on the appropriate due date stated on the agenda or a loss of 10 points will occur on that assignment. No SHOW means NO SCORE!!!
Course Grading Scale 900-1000=A 800-899=B 700-799=C 600-699=D Below 599=F
Determination of Final Grade In Dr. Stafford's class you will be graded with actual points not percentages. Punctual completion of each assignment earns you a number of real points, which you will add up to total your final grade. There will be no curving. Check your course Blackboard “My Grades” to see your running total of points. You need 700 for a C!

200 pts A/P (Top 5 papers 120, Attendance days 80)
200 pts 2 Exams
200 pts 2 Public Performance Observation papers
50 pts 2 in class presentations Performance Response Self Critiques
50 pts Monologue script & performance
175 pts Group scene project
125 pts One Act Play script Research project
-------
1000 pts total
Types of Assignments:
Oral Performance: Monolog performance (25 pts.); Group Scene performance (50 pts.); and the oral presentation of the typed play analysis (25pts.)
Written:     -- One typed analysis of a play script read outside of class (100pts).
-- Within the class oral performance projects there are 6 written elements:
•    monolog script construction (25pts),
•     Group Scene scripting (25pts)
•    monolog performance self-reflective response #1 (25 pts) and
•    group Scene self-reflective response #2 (25pts)
•    character analysis for group Scene (25 pts)
•    teamwork analysis for group Scene project (25 pts)

2 Public Performance Observation Papers: public performances will be attended outside of class and the written audience response critique is required to demonstrate an appreciation of performance elements. (200 pts)

Exams: Two objective exams will cover lecture, textbook materials, and video examples. Each exam will be objective type tests using Scantron Form 882. Each exam will be worth 100pts.

Attendance / Participation: Fully participating in class discussion and performance projects will earn 200pts. total. (loss of 3pts. per day for every absences over the excused 2 limit) Top 5 response papers for Chapter & Essay Readings count for 120 points of participation in this category. Rehearsal in class days for group project (40 pts)

If there is any student in this class who has need for test taking accommodations, please feel free to bring me your accommodation letter and discuss this with me .
    By adding points earned, you can continually measure your progress towards the final grade you want to earn in this class.
Final Exam Date December 1, 2016 - 11:00 AM
Major Assignments See Below:
Calendar of Lecture Topics and Major Assignment Due Dates Class Starts 11:00am SHARP! BEING PRESENT COUNTS!
(Yes, We stay for the whole time and Test material is covered in class. It is your responsibility to get material you miss from other students and turn in required papers on the due dates listed below.) Doctor’s appointments & going to work are not excused absences, make appointments outside of class time. And if work isn’t flexible drop the class. All work for the performance is done in the class time so, leaving early or coming late is not an option! Missing the performance dates loses those points there is no make-up for the in class performances. All Scores will be put on our course Blackboard so you know your grades.
TURN ALL CELL PHONES AND MUSIC DEVICES OFF WHILE IN CLASS!!!!
WEEK # 1     (Read Essay Handouts)

T Aug. 23    Pre-Test /Intro / Agreements / One Act Play script analysis Research Project
choices/“1Act Plays by Modern Authors” Reading Handout / Top 5 instructions
R 25    Play Analysis Paper instructions / Blocking lecture / “Critiquing a Theatrical
            Production” Reading Handout

WEEK # 2    Read your One Act Play selection
T Aug 30    Play Script Title Due / Top 5 Due (2 reading assignments) /Public
Performance Observation Form Handout & Instructions (due twice in     semester) V. Japan
R Sept 1    pick up Top 5 sheet for next week /V. Theater Devices / V. Women in Power

WEEK # 3    (Read Chapters 1 & 2 in Textbook)
T Sept 6    One Act Play Script Research Paper Due (100pts) / Oral Presentations (25 pts)
        No show – no oral points!
R     8    Ch. 1 & 2 -Top 5 Due! What is Theater – Drama? And Acting/Theater Spaces

WEEK # 4    (Read Chapter 3 & 4 in Textbook)
T Sept 13     Ch. 3 Top 5 Due! Textual Analysis / V. Modern Antigone, Women in Tragedy
R      15     Chapter 4 Top 5 Due! Role of the Director / Class summaries of One Act Play
            Scripts handout for exam 1.

WEEK # 5    (Read Chapter 5 in Textbook)
T Sept 20    Monolog Instructions / work on script in class/Part of V. Backstage
R     22    Chapter 5 Top 5 Due! Design Team (examples of set, costume, sound designs)
         V. Backstage cont.

WEEK # 6    (Prep for Exam 1) First Drop Date no penalty is Sept. 28th this week
T Sept 27     Typed Monolog Script Due (25 pts) / Performance of Monolog (25 pts)
            2 min max. /watch your own video in Student Folder on Blackboard to                 complete Performance Response #1
R 29     Exam 1 (Chapters 1-5, class notes, videos, Essay Readings, One Act Play
         plots) No Show – No Points! Need Scantron 882 & pencil (100 pts)

WEEK # 7    (Read Chapter 6 in Textbook) REVISED SCHEDULE!!!!!
T Oct. 4    Chapter 6 Top 5 Due! Medieval & English Renaissance/ View Cycle Dramas &
         Shakespeare videos / Read A Servant’s Tale excerpt handout
R     6    Chapter 6 continued / Performance Response #1 Due! (25 pts)

WEEK # 8    (Read Chapter 7 & 8 in Textbook)
T Oct 11    Chapter 7 Top 5 Due! Italian Renaissance / V. Commedia dell’Arte    
R     13    Chapter 8 Top 5 Due! Restoration, Neoclassicism, & 18th Century English
            Theater / Watch: V. She Stoops to Conquer

Week #9    (Read Chapter 9 in Textbook)
T Oct 18    Chapter 8 continued / Public Performance Observation Critique # 1 DUE! (100pts)
R     20    Chapter 9 Top 5 Due! German & English Romanticism and English Melodrama

If you are planning to drop do it before we start the group project!

WEEK # 10    ( Part I: Group Scene Performance Project Begins) Important Week!
*T Oct 25    Project Instructions given / Group Script Writing begins /
*R     27    Group Script Writing continues / Teamwork Rubric Analysis handout

WEEK # 11     (Part II: Rehearsals) Attendance Necessary for Success!!!
*T Nov. 1    Individual “Script analysis” Due (25 pts) / Teamwork Rubric Due (25 pts)/
            conduct rehearsal A. (20 pt day)
    
W Nov 2 Last day to drop with grade earned!!!    

*R      3    Rehearsal Report A Due (10 pts) / Technical-Dress Rehearsal (20pt day)
        (take notes for Character Analysis) / Bring any props or costume pieces today!

Week # 12        (Read Chapter 10 in Textbook)
*T Nov 8     Character Analysis Due (25 pts) / Group Scene Performance (50 pts) / view
            group scene video on Blackboard under Student Folders (by Group Title) to                 complete the Performance Response #2 analysis
R      10    Chapter 10 Top 5 Due! The Modern Period: Realisms & Antirealisms

WEEK # 13    (Essay Reading Assignment: Musical Theater Structure)
T Nov 15    Performance Response #2 Due (25 pts) Chapter 10 continued / video examples
R      17    Musical Theater Structure Top 5 Due! / video examples

WEEK # 14    (Read Chapter 11 & 12 in Textbook)
T Nov 22    Chapter 11 & 12 Top 5 Due! / Brecht & Epic Theater and Theatre of Diversity
R     24    Thanksgiving – no class!    

WEEK # 15
T Nov 29    Public Performance Observation #2 DUE! (100pts) / Chapter 12 continued
        Last Class Day!!

R    Finals: Thursday Dec. 1st (11:00am) Exam II (Lecture material, Essays,
    Chapters 6-12, & video examples)(100pts.) Scantron 882
The final exam is a required element because it is a unit exam.
General Education/Core Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes
Communication skills:Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.

Critical Thinking Skills:Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

Empirical and Quantitative Skills:Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.

Teamwork:Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

Social Responsibility:Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.

Personal Responsibility:Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.

Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material.
Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading.
PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills ďż˝ Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Creatively identifies problem, argument, or issue (to determine extent of information needed); differentiates the facts from opinions as relates to situation; constructs possible solutions or prediction or consequences; uses logical, sound reasoning to justify conclusion.
PSLO 2: Communication Skills ďż˝ Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication.
Expresses a strong thesis; organizes information with effective transitions & sequencing of ideas; uses substantial, logical & specific development of ideas; details are relevant, original, credible and correctly documented when appropriate to show an effective development and interpretation of ideas; and presents ideas in appropriate mode of expression for the task.
PSLO 4: Teamwork Skills- Shows the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
Helps the team move forward by discussing merits of alternative ideas; Treats team members respectfully; uses positive facial, vocal or written tone, or language to convey a positive attitude; Motivates teammates by expressing confidence about the importance of the task; Provides assistance/encouragement to team members; Completes all assigned tasks by deadline; Addresses conflict constructively; or helps the group avoid conflict completely.
PSLO 5: Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
Identifies cultural characteristics (including beliefs, values, perspectives and/or practices); demonstrates knowledge of civic responsibility; provides evidence of experience in civic- engagement activities; and describes what she/ he has learned as it relates to a reinforced and clarified sense of civic identity in local, regional, national, or global communities; and shows awareness of one�s own culture in relation to others.
Course Student Learning Outcomes 1. Analyze theater through written responses to play texts and/or live performance. (PSLO 1, 2) Measured by Public Performance Observation analysis reports or Dramatic Script Research Project; or Self-Reflective Performance
2. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of theater history and dramatic works. (PSLO 1, 2, Alpha) Measured by embedded test or quiz questions; Public Performance Observation analysis reports; pre-test/post-test.
3. Describe the collaborative nature of theater arts. (PSLO 1, 2, 4) Measured by embedded test questions, Dramatic Script Research Project; and Group Performance Teamwork Rubrics.
4. Demonstrate the relationship of the arts to everyday life as well as broader historical and social contexts. (PSLO 1, 2, 5) Measured by embedded test or quiz questions; Internet Research Project; Dramatic Script Research Project; or Monolog / Group Performance rubrics
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies
  • No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  • Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  • Electronic devices (including but not restricted to cell phones, MP3 players, and laptop computers) shall not be used during examinations unless specifically allowed by the instructor.

  • Use of electronic devices during normal class hours distracts other students, disrupts the class, and wastes valuable time. Instructors have an obligation to reduce such disruptions.

  • Turn your cellphones to vibrate when you enter the classroom.

    Cell Phones and Music Devices: Turn off all communication devices that make noise during class. You cannot answer phone calls during class time. This time is committed to class material, not outside interruptions.



    Lamar State College-Port Arthur Student Support Contact Numbers

    Login /Password problems call Kenneth Lisby 984-6150 (office is in the Library Computer Lab)

    Blackboard problems call Darren McIntire 948-6141 (office in Madison Monroe 114)

Additional Information After 9pm at night I do not return email or text or calls. I will answer the next morning as soon as possible.
Important Information
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
Copyright Violations Some material in this course may be copyrighted. They may be used only for instructional purposes this semester, by students enrolled in this course. These materials are being used fairly and legally. No one may distribute or share these copyrighted materials in any medium or format with anyone outside this class, including publishing essays with copyrighted material, uploading copyrighted material to Facebook or YouTube, or painting or performing copyrighted material for public display.

Copyright violation is not the same thing as plagiarism. Plagiarism is intellectual dishonesty. Offenses of plagiarism result in lower grades or failing scores, and professors and the college strictly enforce plagiarism rules. There is never any acceptable use of plagiarism. Copyright violation is a legal offense, punishable by large fines and penalties.

Copyrighted material can be used if permission from the material’s creator is obtained, or if its use meets the standards of fair use in an educational setting. For example, a student can quote a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a report without violating copyright but still be guilty of plagiarism if the quotation is not properly documented.

If you are in doubt about what material can be freely used, ask your professor or contact the Dean of Library Services, at (409) 984-6216.
Assessment Statement Assessment is a process by which LSCPA can help you learn better and gauge the level of progress you have made to attain knowledge, skills, beliefs, and values. It also helps your professors understand how to improve teaching and testing methods in your classes, and it helps each department understand and improve degree and certificate programs.

Periodically LSC-PA will collect assessment data for research and reporting purposes, including statistical data and sometimes copies of your work. Be assured that all material the college uses for assessment purposes will be kept confidential. To ensure anonymity, your name will be removed from any material we use for assessment purposes, including video-recorded performances, speeches, and projects.

If you object to allowing LSC-PA to use your material for assessment purposes, submit a letter stating so to your professor by the 12th class day. You will still be required to participate in whatever assessments are being done; we just won’t use your data.

What’s the difference between assessment and grades? The grades you get on papers, projects, speeches, and assignments are specific types of focused assessment. LSC-PA’s assessment efforts include class grades, surveys, standardized tests, and other tools.
Privacy Notice Federal privacy laws apply to college students. This means that college employees, including instructors, cannot divulge information to third parties, including parents and legal guardians of students. Even if the students are minors, information about their college work cannot be shared with anyone except in very limited circumstances.

Anyone requesting information about a student should be referred to the Registrar. Instructors will be notified in writing by that Office about what information may be released and to whom.

Please remember that releasing private information about a student, however innocuous it may seem, can be a violation of federal law, with very serious consequences.

Circumstances under which information may be released:

An adult student may submit, to the Registrar, a handwritten, signed note granting permission for release of information. The note must specify what information may be divulged, and it must specify the name of the person to whom the information may be given.

A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student by providing a copy of a filed tax return that shows that the student was listed as a dependent of that parent or guardian. The tax return must be for last complete tax year. Again, this documentation must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

A parent or guardian may be given access to information about a student if the student logs on to My.LamarPA.edu and sends an email to the Registrar granting permission. The email must specify what information may be given and the name of the person to whom it may be given.

Co-enrollment students are protected by the same privacy laws as adult students.

The Registrar’s office is located in the Student Center room 303B, and can be reached at (409) 984-6165.

College-Level Perspectives This course helps add to the students’ overall collegiate experience in the following ways:

  • Establishing broad and multiple perspectives on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world in which s/he lives, and to understand the responsibilities of living in a culturally and ethnically diversified world.

  • Stimulating a capacity to discuss and reflect upon individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in order to understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society.

  • Developing a capacity to use knowledge of how technology and science affect their lives.

  • Developing personal values for ethical behavior.

  • Developing the ability to make aesthetic judgments.

  • Using logical reasoning in problem solving.

  • Integrating knowledge and understand the interrelationships of the scholarly disciplines.

Degree Plan Evaluation A Degree Plan Evaluation will help you determine which classes you need to complete your program.

  1. Sign in to your my.lamarpa.edu account.

  2. Click on the “My Services” tab.

  3. Click on the “Student” tab.

  4. Click on Student Records.

  5. Click on Degree Evaluation.

  6. Select the term you are planning on registering for (i.e. Summer I, Summer II, Fall, or Spring)

  7. Verify that the Curriculum Information (your MAJOR) is correct

  8. Click on “Generate New Evaluation” at the bottom of the screen.

  9. Click the radio button next to Program

  10. Click on the Generate Request button.

All of the classes that you have taken that apply to your declared major will be listed on the right. If you have a class that still needs to be completed, a “NO” will be listed on the right next to the required class.

HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA’s efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

Lamar State College - Port Arthur

Mission

Lamar State College - Port Arthur, a member of The Texas State University System, is an open-access, comprehensive public two-year college offering quality and affordable instruction leading to associate degrees and a variety of certificates. The College embraces the premise that education is an ongoing process that enhances career potential, broadens intellectual horizons, and enriches life.

Core Values

  • Shared commitment by faculty, staff and administration to a mission characterized by student learning, diversity, and community involvement

  • General education/core curriculum that develops the values and concepts that allow the student to make a meaningful contribution in the workplace or community

  • Academic and technical programs designed to fulfill our commitment to accommodate students with diverse goals and backgrounds, using a variety of delivery methods, on and off campus

  • Technical education programs that provide for the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and behavior necessary for initial and continued employment

  • Student achievement characterized by attainment of individual goals and measured by successful accomplishments and completion of curriculum

  • Co-curricular opportunities that develop social, financial and civic acuity

Principles

Lamar State College - Port Arthur operates in the belief that all individuals should be:

  • treated with dignity and respect;

  • afforded equal opportunity to acquire a complete educational experience;

  • given an opportunity to discover and develop their special aptitudes and insights; and,

  • provided an opportunity to equip themselves for a fulfilling life and responsible citizenship in a world characterized by change.

 
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