Course Syllabus
THEA 110: Script Analysis
KENN WHEELER kwheeler@eou.edu
Office: Loso Hall 104B Phone: 541-962-3318
Office Hours: M – TH, 10:00 – 11:00
Catalog description: An introduction to the tools and methods used to analyze the playwright’s work. Students will learn various structures in which plays are written. These methods of analysis will be applied to play scripts from historical as well as contemporary sources.
Course Requirements: Students will be required to read written play scripts from various historical periods and use presented analysis methods to discover the structure of each play. Students will also analyze several productions viewed on video. Students will further be required to attend two of the EOU Theatre Department’s dramatic productions, Orphans and Coyote Tales and report in written form on the structure of each piece as well as the overall success of the productions.
Text: The Longman ANTHOLOGY of DRAMA and THEATRE
Materials: Note taking materials. Access to word processor or typewriter. They will also need to purchase tickets to theatrical productions at a price of $4.00 and $5.00 respectively.
Course Objectives:
Course Outcomes/Major assignments:
Course Calendar:
Week One: Introduction to course syllabus and grading procedures.
Discussion of “Basic Climactic” Play Structure
Video presentation of “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller
Week Two: Worksheet #1 due.
Continued discussion of “Basic Climactic” Play Structure
Reading: Oedipus the King
Worksheet #2 due.
Week Three: Video presentation of “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim
Discussion of “Episodic” Play Structure
Oct. 19-22 @ 8:00 pm – EOU Theatre presents Orphans, Schwartz Theatre Tickets: $4.00
Week Four: Worksheet #3 due.
Continued discussion of “Episodic” Play Structure
Reading: “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare
Worksheet #4 due.
REVIEW FOR Orphans DUE
Week Five: MID-TERM EXAMINATION
Discussion of “Situational” Play Structure
Video presentation of “Waiting for Godot”
Worksheet #5 due
Reading: “Footfalls”
Week Six: Worksheet #6
Discussion of “Reflexive” Play Structure
Reading: “Medeaplay”
Worksheet #7 due
Video Presentation of “Einstein On the Beach”
Nov. 9 -12 @ 8:00 pm – EOU Theatre presents Coyote Tales, McKenzie Theatre, Tkts: $4.00
Week Seven: Worksheet #8 due
Video Presentation: “Six Characters In Search of an Author”
Discussion of Dramatic Genres
REVIEW FOR Coyote Tales DUE
Week Eight: Worksheet #9 due
Reading: “The Glass Menagerie”
Discussion of Dramatic Characters
Week Nine: Worksheet #10
Review and Catch-up
Week Ten: Review and Catch-up
The FINAL: Thursday, December 8, 3:00 – 5:00
EXTRA CREDIT: Dec. 7 - 10 @ 8:00 pm – EOU Theatre presents Broadway Christmas Returns, Schwarz Theatre Tickets: $6.00
Disclaimer: Class schedule/assignments may be altered during the course of the term as needed.
Means of assessment: Students will be assessed on their growing analytical skills by the completion of worksheets given for each play read or seen. They will also be assessed by their participation in discussions of the plays read during the course. The student’s knowledge of facts and terms concerning dramatic analysis will be assessed through the successful completion of a mid-term and final examination. The students will also have an opportunity to test their analytical comprehension through reviews of two EOU Theatre department productions.
Grading method: Attendance 300 pts. (10 pts. per class period)
Worksheets 500 pts. (50 pts. each)
Mid-term Exam 200 pts.
Final Exam 200 pts.
Production Reviews 300 pts. (150 pts. each)
TOTAL 1400 pts.
95% - 100% = A 79% - 83% = B- 63% - 67% = D+
91% - 95% = A- 75% - 79% = C+ 60% - 63% = D
87% - 91% = B+ 71% - 75% = C Below 60% = F
83% - 87% = B 67% - 71% = C-
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.)
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.