Course Outline

DRA 111 Theatre Appreciation (Revised 5/14/12) College of the Albemarle

Summer 2012 (internet)

05/16/12 - 07/26/12
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides a study of the art, craft, and business of the theatre. Emphasis is placed on the audiences appreciation of the work of the playwright, director, actor, producer, and critic. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a vocabulary of terms and to recognize the contribution of various theatre artists. RATIONALE: This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core requirement in humanities/fine arts. Students must take this course to meet the requirement for the Associates in Fine Arts Degree with a Concentration in Theatre. INSTRUCTOR: Professor Jeffrey Emmerich jeffrey_emmerich@albemarle.edu (Best way to reach me) Phone: 252.335.0821 ext. 2215 (I will check my voice-mail daily) Expected Student Outcomes 1. Evaluate critically a theatre production. 2. Understand the differences between several theories of the origins of theatre. 3. Analyze the structure of written drama. 4. Differentiate among tasks of the various artists involved in a production. 5. Demonstrate characteristics of at least 3 playwrights and at least one of the works of each playwright. 6. Differentiate among various stage lighting instruments. 7. Use basic theatre terminology. 8. Compare ways in which for profit theatre and not for profit theatres operate as a business. 9. Recognize the elements of a musical theatre production.

10. Differentiate between several theories of acting. 11. Be given an opportunity, for extra credit, to deliver an oral presentation that is unified, coherent, well developed, and which adheres to standard grammar. In addition, students will demonstrate proficiency in components of delivery which may include eye contact, posture/body language, volume, articulation, and use of time. Responsibilities of the Instructor and the Student The instructor can expect the student to

Sign on to Moodle regularly. Contact the instructor immediately with any issues involving Moodle, assignments, class content, etc. Focus on class activities. Read and comment on classmates discussion forums with clarity, good grammar, and thoughtfulness. Ask questions of the instructor when an assignment is not clear. Complete all assignments on time. Respect the rights of others, fellow students, and the instructor.

The student can expect the instructor to

Prepare and distribute course syllabus. Provide a general schedule of assignments and tests for the semester. Prepare all assignments, tests, discussion form topics, and power point presentations in a timely manner each week and have them open on Moodle by all deadlines. Evaluate students progress and give prompt feedback. Maintain a safe learning environment. Demonstrate concern for student retention. Respond to student's emails and communications in a timely manner.

Course Prerequisites: None Course Corequisite(s): None Course Credit Hours: Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Shop/Clinical: 0 Credits: 3 REQUIRED MATERIALS: TEXT: Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb. Theatre: The Lively Art, 7th ed. Boston: McGrawHill, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-07-338216-6 COURSE STRUCTURE:

We will cover the same material as would be handled in a traditional, face-to-face classroom. Everything will be done 100% online with the exception of the face to face oral presentation which may be done for extra credit (see #7 below). The class has been divided into units (parts). It is imperative that you keep up with the class calendar. You are responsible for reading and comprehending all assigned materials, keeping pace with the class, completing assignments on time, staying current with discussion forum topics, etc. This is especially important since this is only a 10 week class. Note that we will cover the same amount of material as we would in a traditional 16 week class. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 1. VIEW A FULL LENGTH VIDEO/DVD and write a PRODUCTION REVIEW. As this is a course in the appreciation of theatre, you are required to view a film version of a theatrical production at either the DARE CAMPUS LIBRARY or the ELIZABETH CITY CAMPUS LIBRARY during the course of this summer session. Following the viewing you will write a two page review on the production. (Guidelines are listed on the "Assignment Page" for this class.) You can earn up to 50 possible points for writing this review. Please make plans early to go to one of the COA libraries for this experience. A number of plays and musicals are on reserve in each of the libraries for you to choose from. Both libraries will be open this summer Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm. (Libraries are closed on July 4.) The movies must be watched at one of the libraries and cannot be checked out so give yourself enough time to arrive, select a film, and watch it in its entirety. At the request of the library you must take your school I.D. with you and leave it with the library staff while viewing the film. You will also be signing a time sheet to show when you checked the movie out and when it was checked back in. A list of films on reserve at each library is posted on the "Assignment Page" for this class. You can check running times in advance but keep in mind that the films cannot be reserved in advance. Chances are good that the film you hope to view will be available but you may want to have an alternate film in mind just in case your film is being viewed by another student when you arrive at the library. The earlier in the day you go to the library the better your odds will be to get to see the film of your choice. The PRODUCTION REVIEW cannot be written until after you have viewed the movie. NOTE: If you cannot get off work during library hours you may attend a live play or musical in the area during the evening or on a weekend and write your review on that production. You are responsible to find a production to attend. Proof of attendance is required. As a suggestion - THE LOST COLONY in Manteo, NC is an excellent choice. Check their website and purchase tickets online in advance (http://thelostcolony.org/) . The show plays in the evening and runs all summer. Movies viewed at the library are free. You are responsible to pay for your own tickets to live performances. The deadline for turning in all written PRODUCTION REVIEWS is July 23 at 11:55pm. 2. EXAMINATIONS: I will administer weekly quizzes based on readings, discussions, and online viewings throughout the course of the semester. Examinations will all take place on Moodle. Please view the Orientation Moodle Guide on Tests in Moodle for more information. I understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise. Communication

with your instructor is critical. Makeup exams will not be allowed unless arrangements are made prior to the scheduled exam dates. You may earn up to 250 possible points (25 points per quiz). 3. FINAL EXAM: A final exam will be given in Moodle during the final exam period. 100 possible points. 4. DISCUSSION FORUM: One thing that can be lost in online classes is the engaging, dynamic, intellectual discussions that take place in class based on lectures and readings. This sort of interaction is important for the continued application of the new knowledge youre gaining, so well have discussions on Moodle. You will earn points for each topic based on your participation in the online Discussion Forum. Be sure to give a lot of thought to your answers and write in full sentences using appropriate grammar, etc. Please do not write words for words sake. And, never comment on a classmates answer by simply saying things like, "Good answer" or "Good post." The length of your answers will vary depending on the nature of the question but please express complete thoughts in all responses to each other's work. One sentence answers are never appropriate. Again, typical answers will be AT LEAST three to five sentences in length. Attendance is based on at least one set of responses per week in the Discussion Forum. 10 topics at 10 points each, 100 possible points. 5. TECHNOLOGY ISSUES: You will need to have access to a reliable computer and high-speed internet connection. I highly recommend a direct, not wireless, connection. You need to have access to a direct connection for testing. As is always the case with technology, there could potentially be technical difficulties during the semester. When I have been informed of planned Moodle outages (for maintenance, etc.), I will let you know as soon as possible. Extensions due to planned outages will not be granted. Personal computers can have problems so I strongly recommend having a backup plan for a place to complete your work (campus computer lab, public library, a friend, etc.). I also recommend completing assignments before the due dateif you have technical difficulties while completing an assignment at the last minute you may not have time to get the issue resolved before the deadline passes. This includes testing! Quizzes are available for an entire week, so if you choose to wait until the last minute to take one and have technological issues you may suffer penalties. There will be a time limit for each test. Once you begin you must complete the test within the designated time frame. EXTRA CREDIT OPTIONS FOR DOING A WRITTEN OR ORAL REVIEW 6. EXTRA CREDIT (Option #1 - WRITTEN REVIEW): You may view a second film (using the same criteria as above-see #1), or see a second live production, to earn extra credit in this course. Up to 25 points will be awarded for completing a second PRODUCTION REVIEW (written). All reviews will be graded for content and written grammar and must be submitted by July 23 at 11:55pm.

OR 7. EXTRA CREDIT (Option #2 - ORAL REVIEW): You may view a second film (using the same criteria as above-see #1) or attend a second live production to earn extra credit in this course. Up to 25 points will be awarded for completing a second PRODUCTION REVIEW (orally). Instead of writing a second review you also have the option of doing a "face to face" oral presentation for your instructor. (As an alternative you may video an oral review and place it on YouTube for your instructor to view.) Time slots for "face to face" oral presentations are limited. Oral presentations may be given on Monday or Tuesday, July 23 and 24, in the COA (Elizabeth City campus), Auditorium Building between 4pm and 9pm. These oral reviews should be between 5 to 7 minutes in length, well organized, and cover the same basic information as you would in a written review. A schedule of times I will be available for the oral presentations will be posted on the Assignment Page. 15 minute time slots may be reserved on a first come, first served basis. Please request a time slot by responding on the Assignment page. The schedule of available times will be updated regularly. I have three different sections of DRA III this summer but I will do my best to accommodate each of you who wants to do an oral review. Please do not be disappointed if your first attempt to get a time slot is not available. I suggest you sign up early if you wish to do an oral review to avoid disappointment. AGAIN, you may only do ONE extra credit assignment this summer. If you do choose to do an extra credit review you must either watch one of the movies on reserve at a COA library, or, see a live production. Therefore, your written or oral review will be based on the library film or a play you attend. PLEASE DO NOT ASK TO VIEW A FILM AT YOUR HOME. It must be viewed at the library. You are being given the option of seeing a live play or musical as an alternative in all cases. 8. EMAIL ETIQUETTE AND QUESTIONS: You must check your Campus Cruiser student email DAILY and should login to Moodle REGULARLY to stay current on assignments and communication. If you are not already in the habit of checking your email daily, you should start! Please feel free to correspond with me any time via email, jeffrey_emmerich@albemarle.edu. Please address me as Mr. Emmerich or "Professor Emmerich" if you would. I will address you by your first name unless you indicate another preference. (I cannot promise to remember your nickname if you have one.) I will do my best to respond to your emails in a timely fashion; usually within 24 hours. If you have a time-sensitive issue, you may call me on my school extension. I will check voicemail often. If I will be away from my computer for an extended period I will do my best to inform you in advance. In all cases CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS ANY ISSUES YOU MAY HAVE!! I can't help you solve problems if I don't know they exist. I'm here to help you succeed. 9. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: The performance of and/or involvement in any acts of misconduct will be addressed as per regulations set forth in the COA Bulletin. This includes, but is not limited to cheating, misrepresentation, and plagiarism. Copying what another student wrote in a Discussion Forum counts as plagiarism! When appropriate,

using outside sources for assignments is desirablebe sure to properly cite the material! If you have any doubts about plagiarism or how to properly cite an outside source you have used, please contact me. I take this issue very seriously and College of the Albemarle requires that I aggressively pursue any violations. More information regarding this topic is available on the COA website. 10. ADULT MATERIAL: Please note that students who elect to take this course may be exposed to adult material through class discussions, recorded, or live theatrical productions. This course is not recommended for students who will be uncomfortable in such circumstances. It is NOT my desire to force material of an adult nature on my students. However, references in the text are out of my control as well as the content of plays or musicals you may see, etc. 11. WRITTEN WORK SPECIFICATIONS: Please use appropriate grammar and punctuation when writing responses, reviews, etc. Guidelines will be sent when you are asked to fulfill certain assignments. 12. INCOMPLETES: Incompletes are discouraged. It is expected that you will meet the deadlines published in this syllabus and outlined in Moodle. Please speak with me if you are faced with an unexpected emergency or situation that could prevent timely or successful completion of coursework. 13. CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT: Providing a safe classroom environment (even online) is very important to me. Please make sure all comments on Moodle are respectful and constructive. This includes derogatory references to gender, race, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. Disrespect will not be tolerated. ATTENDANCE POLICY: Students in this course are required to complete the COA online attendance assignment. In order to remain enrolled in your online classes, you must complete the COA Attendance Assignment for each course you are registered to take. The COA Attendance Assignment must be completed by 11:55pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. Students who have not submitted their assignment by this date will be marked as "Never Attended" and dropped from the course. The first day of class is Wednesday, May 16. You will not be able to go back and take any quizzes you may have missed if you wait until May 22 to complete the COA assignment. There are no exceptions. Attendance will be evaluated based on a student's presence on the Discussion Forum in a given week. While you do not necessarily need to login every day (although I recommend it to check for announcements, etc.) you must indicate your presence at least ONCE each week via your responses to the Discussion Forum topics. Your responses should be at least three to five sentences in length. Your answers cannot be considered for full credit if they are shorter. There will also be regular (weekly) quizzes on the chapters covered each week. If you do not login and complete the quiz you will incur an absence. Students must be present for 90% of classes and100% of tests and may be disenrolled for excessive absences. WITHDRAWL FROM CLASS:

Students may withdraw from class after ten percent but prior to the completion of seventy-five percent of a class. Prior to the seventy-five percent date students may also be withdrawn for nonattendance. Withdrawals through completion of seventy-five percent will result in a "W" grade. After the 75% date withdrawals are only given in rare circumstances with approval of the instructor and department chair. GRADING: Quizzes: Final Exam: Discussion Forum: Production attendance review: 50% - 250 possible points 20% - 100 possible points 20% - 100 possible points 10% - 50 possible points 100% - 500 possible points Scale: 450 points and up = 400-449 points = 350-399 points = 300-349 points = below 300 points = A B C D F

**Grades are figured based on the above points; NOT by percentages, rounding up, etc.** As noted above you may earn up to 25 bonus points for doing the extra credit Oral Review or Written Review discussed in numbers 6 and 7 above. Due dates are due dates. Late work cannot be accepted. Tutoring Services

Elizabeth City Campus o Robin Pavey o Room C139 o 335-0821, Ext. 2244 Dare County Campus o Laura Katz o Room 228 (T)

473-2264, Ext. 227 Edenton-Chowan Campus o Susan McRae o Room 134 (A) o 482-7900, Ext. 2402

ADA Statement College of the Albemarle seeks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 504 is a Federal Civil Rights Law, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act expands the scope of institutional and service provider responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Elizabeth City or Edenton-Chowan students requesting accommodations based on a disability must register with the Disability Services Director, Andrea Temple (Building AE, Room 119) ((252)335-0821 ext. 2277) (atemple@albemarle.edu). Students attending the Dare Campus should contact Laura Katz (Main Office, Room 228) ((252)473-2264 ext. 227) (laura_katz@albemarle.edu). Campus Security The college is very concerned about protecting our students, employees, and visitors at all campuses. You can help the College to protect everyone by reporting any threats that you receive (or hear about) to your instructor, to security, or to another college official. The College always takes steps to protect anyone who has reason to believe that he/she is in danger. Also, remember to keep your belongings in secure places and report any suspicious activities to college officials. Together we can help our campus to be a safer place. Religious Observance Policy In compliance with the North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 23, Chapter 2, Sub-Chapter 2C, Section .0213 requirement as authorized by Section 115D of the NC General Statutes, College of The Albemarle will grant any student of the College two excused absences each academic year for religious observances required by the faith of the student. The two excused absences may be taken at any time during the academic year either on separate days or on two consecutive days and must be taken within the absences allowed in the Colleges approved attendance policy as published in the COA Academic Catalog and specific program handbooks for those students enrolled in a program. Students must submit a Request to be Excused for Religious Observance Form to the Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment Management within the first two weeks of the semester in which the absence will occur.

THEATRE APPRECIATION CLASS CALENDAR *subject to change* Weekly Reading Assignments: Part One: Theatre in Todays World 1) May 16 22 2) May 23 29 Class Introduction; Read the PREFACE & Experiencing Todays Theatre Ch. 1 Theatre in Everyday Life & The Audience Ch. 2 & 3

Part Two: Creating Theatre: the Blueprint 3) May 30 June 5 Creating the Blueprint & Theatrical Genres Ch. 4 & 5

Unit Three: Creating Theatre: the Production 4) June 6 12 Acting for the Stage & The Director and the Producer Ch. 6 & 7

5) June 13 19 Theatre Spaces & (Supplemental Reading) Ch. 8 6) June 20 26 The Designers: Scenery and Costumes & The Designers: Lighting and Sound Ch. 9 & 10 Unit Four: Global Theatre: Past and Present 7) June 27 July 3 Early Theatre: Greek, Roman, and Medieval & Early Theatre: Asian Ch. 11 & 12 8) July 4 10 Renaissance Theatres & Theatres from the Restoration through Romanticism Ch. 13 & 14

9) July 11 17 Early Modern Theatre: 1875 1945 & Global Theatre: 1945 2000 Ch. 15 & 16 10) July 18 - 24 Todays Global, Diverse Theatre Ch. 17 & Review for Final ALL PRODUCTION REVIEWS are due by July 23 at 11:55pm YOU MAY TAKE THE FINAL ANY TIME ON THURSDAY, JULY 26 BETWEEN 6AM AND 11:55PM.