Online #1 - ONLINE DRAM 1310-09 (23838) Spring 2022 Young

Theatre 1331: Introduction to Theatre—Spring 2022

Online weekly course

Professor: Courtney L. Young Office Hours: By appointment only.

Fridays, 10am-12pm. Office: School of Theatre Office CWM.

Email: clyoung2@uh.edu

Course Description:
Theatre is an art form with 2,500 years of history and scholarship. The course will
explore the world of theatre, concentrating on reading, seeing and writing about
plays; and, understanding how a play is produced. To that end, we will read two -
three plays as representatives of the theatre. These plays are by no means the
only plays worth considering, but are plays that have had a significant impact on
the theatre world.
This course assumes a basic knowledge of European and American history.
Concepts and terms from the worlds of literature, philosophy, history, art history
and theatre will be a part of course lectures and discussions.

Course Texts:
(ONLINE EBOOK VERSION) The Theatre Experience, 14th Edition by Edwin
Wilson. You will be using links in Blackboard that connect you to Chapter
readings and assignments from the textbook. There is more information about
Connect and how to register for it, in Blackboard on the Course Content page.

The following plays are

required reading this
semester. You will be
quizzed over each reading:

1. RED by John Logan

(PDF of script available in
Blackboard)

2. M. Butterfly by David
Henry Hwang (PDF of
script available in
Blackboard)

Course Materials:
You will be REQUIRED to attend and watch two live UofH theatre productions
over the course of the semester.
Graded Assignments:
1 online syllabus quiz
11 Chapter reading and practice quizzes
3 online exams over lectures, text, online content
2 essay quizzes over required-reading plays (RED and M.Butterfly)
1 quiz over a live UofH theatre play performance (Henry V)
1 1000-word critique over a live UofH theatre play performance (Silence)

Points total: 1000 possible points can be earned in this course

On-line Syllabus Quiz = 20 points
Chapter Reading and practice quizzes = 220 points (20 points per chapter)
Exam I = 100 points
Exam II = 100 points
Exam III (final) = 100 points
2 quizzes = 160 points (80 points per quiz, RED and M.Butterfly)
1 Quiz over live viewing of Henry V = 100 points
1 Critique over live viewing of Silence = 200 points

There is a three-sentence minimum required (per question) for the RED and
M.Butterfly quizzes. If you do not meet this sentence requirement, points will be
deducted.

***Extra credit - You can earn 50 extra credit points by visiting the Rothko Chapel
in Houston, Texas.

There are also 3 live UofH theatre performances that are considered extra credit
shows. You can earn 10 points per show.

Overall you can earn a total of 80 possible extra credit points. Please see the
Extra Credit folder in Blackboard for details and submission criteria. If you do not
submit your extra credit according to the grading criteria, you will not get the
extra credit points.***

Grading scale:
A =1000-940 points A- =939-900 points B+ =899-870 points B =869-840 points
B- =839-800 points C+ =799-770 points C= 769-740 points C- =739-700 points
D+ =699-670 points D =669-640 points D- =639-600 points F=599-0 points

Configuring FINAL GRADES: **All assignments are worth a certain number

of points. (as listed above) Overall letter grade will be calculated by adding
the points from all assignments together. The individual grades will NOT be
averaged or graded on a curve, just simply added together.**

Policies:
Handouts and video presentations may be a regular part of online sessions. I do
NOT reopen chapter readings after the due date has passed.

Individual student behavior is up to the student, as long as that behavior does not
interfere with the learning of other students or the teaching by the instructor. The
instructor will be the sole arbiter of what behavior does and does not constitute
interference.

If legitimate circumstances prevent you from taking an exam or quiz, inform your
instructor before or within 24 hours after the exam (e-mail, telephone, dated
note). Make-up exams and quizzes will not be given unless your instructor
receives notification before or within 24 hours after the exam. Make-up exams
and quizzes will happen within the next week after an exam. Make-up exams
and quizzes may be in essay form. Read the following carefully – these rules
apply to everyone in the class. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Examples of legitimate circumstances: a death in the family, illness with a

doctor's note, seriously ill children, observance of a religious holiday, a job
interview (requires documentation).
Legitimate circumstances do not include: oversleeping, a failed alarm clock, a
hangover, getting lost on the way to the classroom, "a touch of the flu," too much
other work, extracurricular activities without a University excused absence, lack
of preparation, lost notes, lost class texts and/or play, plane reservations or other
travel plans (unless booked prior to distribution of this syllabus—documentation
required). See the Student Rules handbook for University policy on excused
absences. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Regular class attendance, participation, and engagement in coursework are

important contributors to student success. Absences may be excused as
provided in the University of Houston Undergraduate Excused Absence Policy
and Graduate Excused Absence Policy for reasons including: medical illness of
student or close relative, death of a close family member, legal or government
proceeding that a student is obligated to attend, recognized professional and
educational activities where the student is presenting, and University-sponsored
activity or athletic competition. Under these policies, students with excused
absences will be provided with an opportunity to make up any quiz, exam or
other work that contributes to the course grade or a satisfactory alternative.
Please read the full policy for details regarding reasons for excused absences,
the approval process, and extended absences. Additional policies address
absences related to military service, religious holy days, pregnancy and related
conditions, and disability.

If you have a problem with a grade on a written assignment, you may dispute
that grade only in writing, and only within 24 hours of receiving back the
assignment. Email your instructor with information on what is wrong with the
current grade, and why you feel you deserve a different grade. The grader will
evaluate your claim and resolve it fairly. Turning in a written claim does not
guarantee that you receive a different grade.

Class command structure:

You>>Prof Young
Academic Integrity: Students who engage in scholastic dishonesty (i.e.
plagiarism or “cheating”) are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the
possibility of failure in the course and up to expulsion from the school. The
minimum penalty in this class for any cheating whatsoever on any
assignment, quiz or exam is a zero on the assignment, quiz or exam AND a
letter grade drop.

Any Turnitin Orginality reports over 20% will result in an automatic 0% for the
assignment. A student may redo and resubmit their critique but they will receive
an automatic 20 point deduction for submitting late.

Students With Disabilities: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal
anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection 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 UH Learning Support
Services in the Social Work Building or call 713-743-5411

Campus Carry Policies:

Please see the attached link for information regarding University of Houston’s
Campus Carry enforcement.
http://www.uh.edu/af/universityservices/policies/mapp/07/070105.pdf

THIS SYLLABUS MAY CHANGE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR

IF UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES ARISE. YOU WILL BE INFORMED IN
ADVANCE OF ANY CHANGES.

Recording of Class

Students may not record all or part of class, livestream all or part of class, or
make/distribute screen captures, without advanced written consent of the
instructor. If you have or think you may have a disability such that you need to
record class-related activities, please contact the Center for Students with
DisABILITIES. If you have an accommodation to record class-related activities,
those recordings may not be shared with any other student, whether in this
course or not, or with any other person or on any other platform. Classes may be
recorded by the instructor. Students may use instructor’s recordings for their own
studying and notetaking. Instructor’s recordings are not authorized to be shared
with anyone without the prior written approval of the instructor. Failure to comply
with requirements regarding recordings will result in a disciplinary referral to the
Dean of Students Office and may result in disciplinary action.

Syllabus Changes

Due to the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, please note that the
instructor may need to make modifications to the course syllabus and may do so
at any time. Notice of such changes will be announced as quickly as possible
through (specify how students will be notified of changes).

Asynchronous Online Courses (or asynchronous exam in another course

format): This course is taught asynchronously, which means there is no
designated day or time assigned to the course (although optional synchronous
sessions are possible, such as virtual office hours or discussion groups).
Asynchronous instruction generally involves accessing content, such as recorded
video lectures, readings, discussion prompts, assignments, and assessments
during a flexible time frame, with due dates as specified. This course will have a
final exam at the course conclusion. The exam will be asynchronous, and the
date and time that it will be released and due will be announced during the
course. Prior to the exam, descriptive information, such as the number and types
of exam questions, resources and collaborations that are allowed and disallowed
in the process of completing the exam, and procedures to follow if connectivity or
other resource obstacles are encountered during the exam period, may be
provided.

Helpful Information

COVID-19 Updates: https://uh.edu/covid-19/

Coogs Care: https://www.uh.edu/dsaes/coogscare/

Laptop Checkout Requests: https://www.uh.edu/infotech/about/planning/off-

campus/index.php#do-you-need-a-laptop

Health FAQs: https://uh.edu/covid-19/faq/health-wellness-prevention-faqs/

Student Health Center: https://uh.edu/class/english/lcc/current-

students/student-health-center/index.php

SEASON OVERVIEW

Required Show: Silence by Moira Buffini (Quintero Theatre) Directed by Josh Morrison,
Performances: March 4th-13th

Required show: Henry V by William Shakespeare (Wortham Theatre) Directed by Jack
Young, Performances: April 8th-17th

Extra Credit Shows:

Ocean Filibuster by Lisa D’Amour (Studio 208) Directed by Katie Pearl
Performances: March 25th-27th



10-Minute Play Festival (Studio 208)
Performances: April 22nd-24th

Ensemble Dance Works by UH Dance Ensemble (Wortham Theatre)
Performances: April 29th-May 1st