DePaul University

Performing Culture

LSP200-123
Autumn, 2011 Instructor: Kirsten DAurelio
Tuesday/Thursday 11:20 a.m.--12:50 p.m. Email: kdaureli@depaul.edu
Levan 202 Office: SAC 591
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 1:30-2:30 p.m.
or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is a performance-based exploration of U.S. multiculturalism, including the

study of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, race, disability, and cultural heritage. Through
the lens of performance we examine theater, film, poetry, personal narratives, cultural ritual,
social customs, cultural spaces, nonverbal communication, and social interaction as
manifestations of cultural diversity. Although previous performance experience is not
required, students will be expected to memorize selections, do solo performances, and
be willing to use their own voices and bodies to explore physical expressions of cultural
differences.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will be able to:

1. analyze, reflect upon, and discuss the concept of culture and the presence of
multiculturalism in the United States;
2. describe some experiences and perspectives of cultural groups different from their
own;
3. critically reflect upon their own and others performance of culture;
4. prepare and execute polished and interesting performances related to the study of
culture; and
5. use performance as a tool to describe, understand, critique, and embody culture.

REQUIRED TEXT (available at DePaul Bookstore):

Fires in the Mirror, by Anna Deavere Smith (with foreword by Cornel West)

Other materials will be made available via the DePaul library and in class as the quarter
progresses.

Also, you will need to acquire tickets to 2 live productions during the quarter, and view
one film (either first-run at the cinema, library/online viewing, or rental for home viewing.)
COURSEWORK

This is a performance and text analysis seminar. There are no quizzes or written exams
for this course.

1. Presentations (4) - 100 points each.

Personal Narrative performance
Fires in the Mirror or Twilight: Los Angeles monologue
Cultural Other performance
Final project

2. Response papers (3) for live performances and film 50 points each:
Students are required to attend 2 live productions and view one film, followed by
written response papers (typed, 2-3 page, double-spaced reflections.) One of the
performances will be the DePaul Theatre School production of Intimate Apparel,
by Lynn Nottage, which runs from September 28--October 9, 2011.

3. Final Project -- Performance and written analysis, to be presented during the final
exam period.

4. Class Participation 100 points. This is a seminar course. I expect active

engagement in all classroom discussions, exercises, and speeches. On-time arrivals
and consistent attendance in this course are crucial, as there will be in-class
exercises, script readings, guest performers, media viewings, and discussions that
are experiential learning, not attainable through notes from a classmate. Please
offer your feedback to classmates, and your thoughts in every class discussion.

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS=650

-------------------------------------------------

Classroom Policies

Please note: Our class is at capacity enrollment. In order to provide every student with
four performance opportunities, we will maintain a very rigid presentation schedule. If
you have an unexcused absence on your assigned presentation day, you will
receive a zero for that presentation unless prior arrangements have been made.

I do not accept late work except in cases of emergency (e.g. hospitalization.)

Please do not enter the classroom when a student presentation is in progress. Turn off
all cell phones, iPods, watch alarms, or other noisemakers before class begins, as they
interfere with the attention and concentration of both presenter and audience. Time
limits will be strictly enforced, as they directly relate to your editing and rehearsal work;
points will be deducted if you are not done speaking at the end of your allotted time.

DePaul University policies apply. Harassment and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you
are unsure about DePauls plagiarism policies, please consult the DePaul Student
Handbook at http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/homehandbook.html.
CLASS CALENDAR (subject to change):

Week One
September 8: Intro to class, syllabus review, short cultural narratives (in-class
assignment.)

Week Two
September 13: Assignment of Personal Narrative presentation and class groups.
View and discuss Personal Narratives.

September 15: Discuss white privilege, nontraditional casting, and the

Brustein/Wilson exchanges. Explore nonverbal communication
and delivery skills.

Week Three
September 20 Discuss white privilege, nontraditional casting, and the
Brustein/Wilson exchanges. Explore nonverbal communication
and delivery skills.

September 22: Personal Narrative performances, Groups A&B

Week Four
September 27: Personal Narrative performances, Groups C&D

September 29: NO CLASS [Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) observance]

Use this time to do Fires in the Mirror assigned reading.

Week Five
October 4: In-class script reading: Fires in the Mirror.

October 6: In-class script reading: Fires in the Mirror.

Week Six
October 11: In-class script reading: Fires in the Mirror.

October 13: Brief discussion of Intimate Apparel (response papers due

today.) Guest performer/lecturer today.
Week Seven
October 18: Fires/Twilight: L.A. performances, Group B

October 20: Fires/Twilight: L.A. performances, Group C

Week Eight
October 25: Fires/Twilight L.A. performances, Group A
October 27: Fires/Twilight L.A. performances, Group D

Week Nine
November 1: Cultural Other discussion.
November 3: Guest lecturer/performer.
Week Ten
November 8: Cultural Other Narrative performances, Groups C&D

November 10: Cultural Other Narrative performances, Groups A&B

November 15: Film: Jails, Hospitals and Hip-Hop, by Danny Hoch, or Mambo
Mouth by John Leguizamo. Discuss.

FINALS WEEK
November 22: 11:45 a.m. - 2 p.m. Final Exam period (Final Performance
Projects for all groups today.) Please note: There will be no
excused absences granted for the final exam period, and no
presentation may be done in advance of the final exam period.
Please make your vacation plans accordingly.