Introduction to Drama LIT2XXX

Professor Sara Thames

T-Th X: XX-X: XX
Office Suite X Building X
Email: ​XXXX@XXX.edu
Office Hours: X: XX-X: XX

Course Description:
This introductory course offers insight into major eras of drama with a thematic focus on
the family and issues of inheritance. These transhistorical themes both unite people
through common experiences and distinguish unique cultural situations. Watching family
drama play out on the stage, things that usually take place behind closed doors, positions
the viewer as insider and outsider thus expanding their empathic range. Ranging from
Greek tragedy to more recent works by playwrights from a range of backgrounds,
communities, and experiences, the course aims to expose students to a variety of dramatic
modes that explore the anxieties and fears surrounding family and legacy. The selected
plays will be accompanied by brief excerpts of theoretical readings designed to aid
students in exploring the plays and introduce them to the thought schools of sexuality
studies, critical race theory, trauma studies, and psychoanalysis. Students will write
several short papers in response to the plays and critical readings and present a final
project detailing their interpretation of a selected play, including any pertinent
adaptations and productions.

“Sound Bite” Description: ​In this course, you will be introduced to the subject of
Drama through a transhistorical survey of a kind of drama many of us are familiar
with—family drama. In plays like ​King Lear, A Raisin in the Sun​, and ​A Streetcar Named
Desire​, we will identify and analyze common threads of experience and distinct
situations of inheritance through various critical lenses like psychoanalysis, critical race,
and sexuality studies. Additionally, we will explore how dramatic performance creates
adaptations. By the end of this course, you will be able to discuss your interpretation of a
selected play critically and how it and its adaptations represent our course themes.

Required Texts:
Oedipus Rex,​ Sophocles (429 B.C)
King Lear, ​William Shakespeare (1606)
A Streetcar Named Desire​, Tennessee Williams (1947)
A Raisin in the Sun​, Lorraine Hansberry (1959)
The Piano Lesson, ​August Wilson (1987)
Student Outcomes:
·​ ​Students will read, discuss, and analyze various plays to be introduced to the subject of
Drama.
·​ ​Students will write analytical responses to the plays and ideas presented in associated
theoretical excerpt readings.
·​ ​Students will present a well-supported interpretation of a play to the class.
·​ ​Students will understand how performances and adaptations represent interpretations of
plays.
Course Activities and Assignments:
The course involves reading, discussion, and writing. We will read several plays
connected by the course theme of family and legacy or inheritance. To accompany these
primary readings, excerpts of secondary theoretical readings will be assigned to deepen
your understanding of the plays and to introduce lines of thought for further
interpretations. Formal assignments consist of the following:
·​ ​Four Short Essays: Each 3-4 page essay will respond to one of the five plays we
are covering this semester. The three you choose for these assignments will be
exclusive of the play you choose for your final presentation. In other words, if you
choose to do your final presentation on the first play we read, your third essay will
be due closer to the end of the semester and will be on the last play we read, and
so on.
·​ ​Final Presentation: Your final presentation will advance your interpretation of
your chosen play and will consist of a 10-15 minute presentation to the class. You
may work in groups of up to four for this assignment. The discrepancy in time is
to allow for those that wish to incorporate performance clips into their
presentations. Your presentation must be accompanied by a PowerPoint type
slideshow of main points and supportive quotes, imagery, or videos. You are not
expected to have memorized your presentation, and may have note cards.
However, it is expected that your presentation be clearly rehearsed and actively
include all members of the group.

Assessment and Grading Procedures​:

Assignment

Participation/Attendance 10%
Short Essay 1 15%
Short Essay 2 15%
Short Essay 3 15%
Short Essay 4 15%
Final Project 30%
(Group Participation,
(5%)
Planning Steps)
(Individual Presentation) (10%)
(Whole Presentation) (15%)
Total 100%

Letter Grade Percentage

A 93-100%

A- 90-92%

B+ 86-89%

B 83-85%

B- 80-82%

C+ 76-79%

C 73-75%

C- 70-72%

D+ 66-69%

D 63-65%

D- 60-62%

F 59% and
below
Late Assignments:
Late assignments will be accepted up to two days after the due date, at a reduction of
10% off the assignment grade per day, or portion thereof, late. No late final projects will
be accepted outside of extenuating circumstances covered by University attendance and
accessibility policies.

Attendance/Punctuality:
Regular attendance is expected as participation and in-class discussion are critical to
progress in this course. You may have up to two absences, however, you are responsible
for any material missed during that class and for making sure assignments are turned in
on time even if it is due during the day of your absence. Any absence beyond the two
allotted will reduce your final participation grade by 10%. More than six absences will
result in automatic failure. Class begins promptly and any tardiness in excess of ten
minutes will be considered an absence.

Classroom/Online Behavior:
Behavior is expected to be respectful, courteous and focused on creating a welcoming
and productive learning environment for all students. Food is allowed in reasonable
amounts as long as it does not become distracting. Cell Phones should remain away and
unused for the duration of class. Disregarding this procedure may result in being asked to
leave. Laptops are permitted for class related activities and notetaking. All email
correspondence should be professional in tone and content.

Plagiarism, Cheating, and Academic Dishonesty:

All work submitted for this class must be your own, original work written exclusively for
submission to this course. Sources consulted must be properly cited and documented.
Any presentation of other sources as your own work or ideas is plagiarism. Plagiarism or
cheating of any kind on any assignment will result in an “F” for that assignment and
potentially the entire course. Instances of plagiarism and cheating are subject to referral
to the Office of Student Conduct for further action and could result in a “Z” designation
on your transcript. Academic integrity is expected of all students at all times. There are
no excuses for plagiarism; if you find yourself struggling please contact me for assistance
rather than resorting to plagiarism.

Syllabus Amendment:
This syllabus is subject to amendment and modification at any time upon notification.
Most alterations will affect the Course Schedule, so be mindful of updated due dates or
altered reading schedules.
 Course Schedule:

Readings Assignments

Week 1 Academic Engagement

Assignment Due
T Syllabus
(Friday)
Th Form Project
Groups/What is Drama?

Week 2 Oedipus Rex

T Part 1​ (Lines X-XXX)

Th (Freud Excerpt)

Week 3 Oedipus Rex

T Part 2 (Lines XXX-XXX)

Th (Critical Essay and Film

Excerpt)

Week 4 King Lear Essay Due Date 1

(Sunday)
T Act 1-2

Th (Gender Studies Excerpt)

Week 5 King Lear

T Act 3-4

Th (Critical Essay Excerpts)

Week 6 King Lear

T Act 5

Th (Film Excerpts)

Week 7 A Streetcar Named Desire Essay Due Date 2

T Act 1 & 2 (Sunday)

Th (Feminist, Trauma
Excerpts)

Week 8 A Streetcar Named Desire

T Act 3

Th (Critical and Film

Excerpts)

Week 9 The Piano Lesson Essay Due Date 3

(Sunday)
T Act 1, All

Th (Critical Race Excerpts)

Week 10 The Piano Lesson

T Act 2

Th (Critical and Film

Excerpts)
Week 11 A Raisin in the Sun Essay Due Date 4

T Act 1 (Sunday)

Th (Critical Race and

Feminist Excerpts)

Week 12 A Raisin in the Sun

T Act 2

Th (Critical Essay Excerpts)

Week 13 A Raisin in the Sun

T Act 3

Th (Film Excerpts)

Week 14 Presentation Workshops Essay Due Date 5

(Sunday)
T

Th

Week 15 Final Presentations

Th

Week 16 Final Presentations

Th