Understanding Theater

DRAM 1310-501
Fall 05 – Syllabus
Thursday 7:00 – 9:45 P.M. AS 1.105

Instructor: David Edgecombe Office JO 4.314

Office Hours: By appointment Phone: 2833
Email: dee031000@utdallas.edu
edgecombe@mac.com

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to enable you to:

1. Analyze, participate and discuss the components of theater individually and as a unified
whole
2. Understand the concepts and technical terms used in this discipline
3. Understand theater in relationship to society
4. Develop the vocabulary, approaches and analytic tools to critique and write about theatre

COURSE OVERVIEW:
This course is intended to heighten a student's appreciation and knowledge of the theatre. It will
examine the nature of theatre, the elements of various aspects of the discipline and how theatre
reflects society. Students will learn and practice suggested approaches on how to perceive,
consider and write about theatre through readings, in-class activities and lectures. Students will
read plays, see performances and write about theatrical events. Activities include research, field
studies, interactive classroom sessions, oral and written analysis, and a group project

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are expected to attend all classes and to complete all assignments on time. Participation
in class discussions and the timely completion of reading and research projects, as well as
attendance at performances and field trips are required. Unexcused absences, lateness to class and
late work are not acceptable. All assignments, presentations and examinations must be completed

MEANS OF EVALUATION
Attendance/participation 10%
Quizzes 10%
Mid-term Examination 15%
Papers 20%
Theatre group project 25%
Final Examination 20%
Total 100%

TEXT: The Creative Spirit: An Introduction to Theatre, 3rd Edition, by Stephanie Arnold and
assorted handouts & assigned readings

Reading assignments (RA) are to be completed by class time on assigned dates. The following is
subject to change at the instructor’s discretion:
 WEEK 1
Aug 18 - Course Introduction. View movie Glengarry Glen Ross

WEEK 2
25 - The Nature of Theatre
RA: Chapters 1 & 2

WEEK 3
Sep 01 – The Play & The Playwright
RA: Chapter 3: The Playwright’s vision: Joe Turner’s Cone and Gone

WEEK 4

08 – The Actor
RA: Chapter 4: The Art of the Actor

WEEK 5
15 – The Director
RA: Chapter 5 & /And the Soul Shall Dance

WEEK 6
22 – The Designer
RA: Chapter 6

WEEK 7
29 – Music Theatre
RA: Chapter 7
Review for Midterm

WEEK 8
Oct 06 – MIDTERM
_ Realism
RA: Chapter 8

WEEK 9
13 – Discuss Midterm
Realism Applied
RA: Chapter 9: A Worldview through Realism & Angels in America

WEEK 10
20 – Group Project: 1 & 10
Theatricalism: RA: Chapters 10 & 11 Comedy/ Dog Lady

WEEK 11
27 – Group Project: 2 & 9
Dramatic Structure: RA: Chapter 12

2
 WEEK 12
Nov 03 – Group Project: 3 & 8
Genre: RA: Chapters 13 & 14 & Buried Child

WEEK 13
10 – Group Project: 4 & 7
RA: Chapter 15

WEEK 14
17 – Group Project: 5 & 6
Final exam review

WEEK 15
24 – Thanksgiving

WEEK 16

Dec 01 – Final Exam (tentative)