Eastern Oregon University

School of Arts and Sciences

Course Syllabus

Prefix and number of course: THEA 263

Name of course: Theatre History Since 1970

Catalog description:  Continuation of THEA 262 with emphasis on 20th   and 21st century developments in European and American theatre.

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Credit Hours: (3)

KENN WHEELER                 kwheeler@eou.edu

Office: Loso Hall 104B            Phone: 962-3318

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:00 – 12:00

Time and Place of Course: TBA

Text: None

Materials: The current text for the course is The Longman Anthology of Drama and Theatre By Michael L. Greenwald, Roger Schultz, and Roberto D. Pomo.  Other play texts may be required as well. Students will attend TWO Theatre Program productions THE CRUCIBLE and either BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT or SANE and write a critical review of each show.

Learning outcomes: Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

• Analyze a play for its content, style, theme, and genre
• Accurately place play production and script in a specific historical, social, political  context.

Course requirements: Students are required to read plays and historical material, fill in a play worksheet, and write a play abstract for each script read.  Attendance is required both in class and at two EOU productions.

Grading method:              Attendance                                                 200 pts.

                                          Mid-term Examination                              150 pts.

                                          Final Examination                                      150 pts.

                                          Play Abstracts                                            600 pts.

                                          Historical Presentations                            200 pts.

                                                                                    TOTAL           1300 pts.

                                          95% - 100% = A

                                          91% - 95% = A-

                                          87% - 91% = B+

                                          83% - 87% = Be

                                          79% - 83% = B-

                                          75% - 79% = C+

                                          71% - 75% = C

                                          67% - 71% = C-

                                          63% - 67% = D+

                                          60% - 63% = D

                                          Below 60% = F

Means of assessment:

Students knowledge of Theatre History will be assessed by the following means:

• Students will be assessed by the quality of response papers that must reflect a personal perspective on a theatrical production. 
• Presentations will be used to place plays in an historical perspective.
• Abstracts on each of the plays read will assess a student’s understanding of content, style, them, and genre
• A midterm and a final exam will require a synthesis of lectures, script/text readings, and presentations. 
• Attendance and participation in class is required

Course Calendar:

Week One                                            Introduction to course

Week Two & Week Three:                Theatre and Life in the 1970’s    

                                                                     Tracers by John DiFusco (Dramatist)

                                                                     Equus by Peter Shaffer (Samuel French)

                                                                     A Chorus Line by Michael Bennett (Amazon.com)

                                                                    The Shadow Box by Michael Cristofer  (Samuel French)

Week Four & Week Five::                 Theatre and Life in the 1980’s Attend EOU Theatre Production BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT

                                                                     Torch Song Trilogy by Harvey Fierstein (Samuel French)

                                                                     As Is by William H. Hoffman (Dramatists)

                                                                     Fences by  August Wilson (Samuel French)

Week Six                                             The Mid-Term Examination.

Week Six & Week Seven :                Theatre and life in the 1990’s

                                                                    Angels in America: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner (Broadway Play Publishing)

                                                                    Angels in America: PerestRoika by Tony Kushner (Broadway Play Publishing)

                                                                    Buried Child by Sam Shephard (Dramatist)

                                                                   The Beauty Queen of Leenane  by Martin McDonaugh (Dramatist)

Week Eight& Week Nine:                 Theatre and Life in the 2000’s Attend EOU Theatre Production THE CRUCIBLE

                                                                    The Goat: or, Who is Slyvia? By Edward Albee (Dramatist)

                                                                    Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz (Dramatist )

                                                                   August: Osage County by Tracy Letts (Dramatists)

                                                                   Next to Normal by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt ( Amazon.com)

Week Ten:                                           Catch up and Review Attend EOU Theatre Production SANE

The FINAL:                                         Thursday, June 9, 8:00 – 10:00 AM

General Education Categories and Outcomes

• Content Knowledge: Student will demonstrate increased vocabulary, content, and conceptual knowledge in a breadth requirement.  This will be demonstrated using outcome #1.
• Critical Thinking: Students will identify and explain issues, recognize contexts and assumptions, acknowledge multiple perspectives, and evaluate evidence to reach conclusions. This will be demonstrated using outcome #2.
• Aesthetics and Humanities: Students will develop an appreciation for aesthetic expressions of humanity and the ability to analyze texts. This will be demonstrated using outcomes #1.

University Writing Requirement Outcomes: N/A

Disclaimer: Class schedule/assignments may be altered during the course of the term as needed.

Attendance/Lateness Policy: Students are responsible for attending class every time that it is held. Absences will result in a loss of ten points. The only exception is mandatory university sponsored events and THEN, ONLY if I know in advance. Work due on a day that you miss will be accepted with a 10% deduction per each period it is late.

Statement of Academic Misconduct:

Eastern Oregon University places a high value upon the integrity of its student scholars. Any student found guilty of an act of academic misconduct (including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism or theft of an examination or supplies) may be subject to having his or her grade reduced in the course in question. It might also require your being placed on probation or suspended from the university, or being expelled from the university – or a combination of these. (Please see Section II of the 2002-2003 Student handbook and Planning Calendar: Campus Citizenship (Academic), p. 32ff: Campus Citizenship (Behavior), p41ff.)

Statement on American with Disabilities.

If you have a documented disability or suspect that you have a learning problem and need reasonable accommodations, please contact Disability Services program in Loso Hall. Telephone: 962-3081.

Prepared By: Kenn Wheeler

Date: 10/22/11