World Theatre

DRAM 3323
Spring 2006
Thomas Riccio, Professor
Office #972.883.2016 (voice mail)
Thomas.riccio@utdallas.edu
www.thomas-riccio.net

Class times: T 3:30-6:15

Office hours: T 1-3 and by Arrangement, call or write me!
Office location: JO 4.920
Class location: JO 4.312

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
World Theatre is designed as a survey to introduce historical and
cross-cultural dramatic and performance texts, theories, and
practices. Its objective is to introduce students to the wide
range of expressions, major methodologies and paradigms of world
theatre as to examine the broad social, political, religious, and
cultural contexts in which performance takes place.

REQUIRED TEXTS:
The Longman Anthology of Drama and Theater: A Global Perspective,
ISBN: 0-321-01559-2, Longman, 2001

COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION
This course will be based on lecture and in-class discussion.
Because of the wide range of cultural and historical material
covered by this survey, student attendance and participation will
be essential. A mid-term exam and final exam will be given
covering the reading and concepts presented in class—essay, T-F,
multiple choice, identification. A research paper—12-page
minimum--based on the reading/viewing and/or the critical essays
will also be required. Topics will be discussed in class and
approved by the instructor.

GRADING 1000 PTS SCALE

Mid-Term Exam 20%
Final Exam 25%
Final Paper 25%
Participation 10%
Attendance 10%
Quizzes (if necessary) 10%

Late or incomplete work is not acceptable

Incompletes will not be given in this class
Plagiarism and cheating is unacceptable
All dates and assignments are subject to change
Assignments will be made with ample time for completion given
Attendance Policy: Two (2) unexcused absences permitted);
however each subsequent unexcused absence will result in the
lowering of one full letter grade per absence(50PTS per
absence). Two late arrivals (20 minutes + after the hour unless
lateness is pre-arranged) will count as one absence. Note: No
Gum Chewing or Eating in Class. Soft Drinks, Coffee, and water
permitted.

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
10 January Introductions
What and Why World Theatre? Reviewing the
Fundamentals--RITUAL
Read: 3-16 & 33-46

17 January India: Origins & Conventions of Indian Theatre

Bharata and the Natyasastra
Read: 251-306

24 January India: The Recognition of Sakuntala and The Post

Office
Read: 307-320

31 January China: Origins & Conventions of Chinese Theatre

Read: 322-345

7 February China: Yuan and Ming Drama and Peking Opera

Autumn in the Palace of Han & The Qing Ding Pearl
Read: 346-357

14 February Japan: Origins & Conventions of Japanese Theatre

& Noh & Kabuki
Read: 358-395

21 February Japan: Komachi at Sekidera & Kanjincho

& The Man Who Turned Into a Stick MID-TERM EXAM
Read: 396-405

28 February Native American Performance: Origins,

Conventions & Contexts
Read: Alaska Native Theatre and Tuma Theatre (on reserve)

7 March *****Spring Break*****

14 March Native American Performance: In the Modern Context

Read: TBA

21 March African Performance: Origins, Conventions & Influences

Read: 1250-1277
28 March African Performance: Pre-Colonial & Colonial
Read: 1301-1303 & TBA

4 April Caribbean Performance: Origins, Conventions &

Influences
Read: 1420-1452

11 April Latino Performance: Origins, Conventions &

Preoccupations
Read: 1504-1546

18 April Contemporary Theatre: Experimentation

Read: 1453-1463 & 1547-1552
RESEARCH PAPER DUE

25 April Contemporary Theatre & Feminist Performance

Read: 1664-1680 & 1681-1688 & 1725-1753

FINAL EXAM
2PM FRIDAY, 28 APRIL