Download TA100 Introduction to the Theatre

LA Mission College Arts, Media & Performance TA100 Introduction to the Theatre 3 Units – No prerequisite
Associate Degree Applicable: Gen. Ed. and IGETC Humanities Credit Transferable: U.C., C.S.U.
Instructor: Robert Cucuzza E-mail: [email protected]
COURSE ENTRANCE SKILLS
No previous theater experience is necessary! You should be able to demonstrate basic
reading, writing, comprehension, and problem solving skills. There is no pre-requisite for
this course.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 1. Assess the historical, artistic, social, and philosophical context in which theatre exists.
2. Analyze how individual design elements (costume, set, lights, props and sound)
contribute to the storytelling and overall aesthetic impact of a production.
COURSE DESCRIPTION The primary goal of this course is to explore, appreciate, and evaluate all of the arts that
make go into the creation of live theatre. Topics will include acting, directing, playwriting,
producing, criticism, design, architecture, audience, historical periods, and theatre’s
relationship to film and television. Students will exit this course with knowledge and
insight into the process of theatrical creation. This will help them analyze, evaluate and
articulate responses to works of theatre artists; develop an appreciation for theatrical
arts; demonstrate knowledge of theatre’s relationship to life, art, and performance;
understand its role in society and culture; and become informed audience members so
that theatre can enrich their lives and help them recognize how theatre is an integral
component of the human condition.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS Have you ever been to see theater? Yes? I’ll bet that you’ve never seen the kind of
theatre that I’m gonna show you. No? Well, that’s about to change, not because it’s an
assignment in the class, but because you’re gonna wanna go see theatre once I show
you what it can do. My goal is to blow your mind. You see, I watch a lot of the same
things you do: The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Adventure Time, superhero movies,
rom-coms. sitcoms, Adult Swim ... I talk about these things a lot in this class. It’s my way
of helping you to understand each of the lessons. I can take pretty much anything that
you watch and teach you how it all stems from theatre. I will learn your name. I will
speak to you. I don’t lecture as much as I engage. I show A LOT of videos. Ask anyone
who has taken this class and they’ll probably tell you that it’s not what they expected
from an Intro to Theatre class. I try to make it fun. I want everyone to pass this class. As
long as you show up, take notes and do the assignments, you’ll do so. And I make
people laugh as much as I can. So there.
TEXTBOOK
The Theatre Experience by Edwin Wilson (13th edition) The textbook is mandatory and
there will be three quizzes and a final exam covering its contents.
ASSIGNMENTS
• Reading of text as assigned by instructor
• One written PERFORMANCE REPORT. You will report upon a live performance that you have seen in the past.
• One written THEATRE REVIEW. You will report upon a live, scripted performance that you will have seen after the first day of class.
• Three QUIZZES on readings, lectures, and videos
• CREATIVE PROJECT, where you work with a group to create an original performance
in class
• FINAL EXAM
CREATIVE PROJECT
One of the most popular and instructive aspects of this class is the CREATIVE
PROJECT. This project will be outlined in more detail in a separate handout and
presented in class near the end of the semester. Here are the basics:
• You will be part of a team that will create a 10-12 minute live performance.
• You will serve as either an actor, playwright, director, stage manager, designer, or
technician on this performance.
• You will meet with a group of your peers outside of class time to create and rehearse
this performance.
• You will write a summary essay on your individual role in this performance.
• You will perform this Creative Project on the final day of class in front of your peers.
There will be a formal critique to follow.
CLASS POLICIES
• You are responsible to be on time and fully prepared to be engaged in the class.
• You are responsible to read and comprehend the information contained in this
syllabus and in the assigned readings, as well as the information discussed in class.
• If you miss class, you are responsible to make up what you missed from a fellow
student.
• You are responsible for turning your work in by the stated deadlines. I do not
guarantee that I will accept late work, unless the student provides a reason that is
deemed legitimate by me. If I agree to accept late work, your grade may be affected.
• If, for any reason, you are unable to complete reading or written assignments due to
mitigating circumstances, please tell me.
• Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be dealt with according to school
policies.
CANVAS This course will be conducted through the Canvas course management system. You will
be required to create a Canvas account and enroll in the class. It is through Canvas that
you’ll receive assignments, get announcements, and access your grades.
HANDOUTS All assignments and documents related to this class will be uploaded to Canvas. There
will be no handouts.
NOTE-TAKING In order to pass this class, you will need to take notes with a pen in a notebook. Here’s
why: All of my quizzes and exams are open notes. If your notes are on your computer,
so is the ENTIRE INTERNET and I can’t let students do that.
ATTENDANCE
• I take attendance at the beginning of class — on the dot — for the entire semester.
• If you miss three classes, it becomes my decision to exclude you from the class.
• Theatre is a visual art form, therefore I show a lot of cools videos of theatre, film and
TV, the content of which will appear on quizzes. If you’re not in class to see the
videos, you’re not gonna do well on the quizzes.
TARDINESS
• Tardiness is unacceptable in any situation, especially in this class. You disrupt the
class and throw off my lecture.
• Again, I take attendance at the beginning of class. I will not stop class to mark you
present if you show up late.
• Some of the most important information about assignments, changes to the class
schedule and general business all take place in the first five minutes of class.
• If you have an unavoidable circumstance that prevents you from arriving to class on
time, please let me know as soon as possible.
ATTENDANCE AND EXCLUSION POLICY
The student is expected to attend every meeting of all classes for which he or she is
registered. A student absent from classes for emergency reasons must inform his or her
instructor of the reason for the absence. Students who have preregistered for a class
and who do not attend the first meeting of the class may forfeit their right to a place in
the class. Students should inform the instructor of the circumstances related to the
absence. The instructor will then decide if the reasons provided for the absence are
appropriate for allowing the student to remain in class. Mitigating circumstances may be
considered by the instructor. Whenever absences “in hours” exceed the number of
hours the class meets per week, the student may be excluded from class by the
instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to officially drop from any class he/she does
not plan to continue to attend. Any drops or exclusions that occur between the end of
the 4th week and the end of the 14th week will result in a “W” on the student’s record.
Drops are not permitted beyond the end of the 14th week. An evaluative grade (“A,” “B,”
“C,” “D,” “F,” “P,” or “NP”) will be assigned to students who are enrolled past the end of
the 14th week. After the last day of the 14th week (or 75 percent of the time the class is
scheduled, whichever is less) the student may petition to withdraw from class
demonstrating extenuating circumstances.
GRADING EVALUATION Your final grade will be based upon class participation, completion of individual
assignments, the Creative Project, and grades on quizzes and the final exam.
3 Quizzes (100 points each) Written Performance Report (100 points)
Written Theatre Review (100 points) Written Creative Project report (100 points)
Creative Project participation (100 points)
Final Exam (200 points)
Participation (100 points)
TOTAL POSSIBLE: 1000 points
**100 Extra Credit Points may be earned by writing an extra Performance Review
Final grade breakdown from your total number of points: 900-1000 points — 90-100% — Grade A
800-899 points — 80-89% — Grade B
700-799 points — 70-79% — Grace C 600-699 points — 60-69% — Grade D 0-599 points — 0-59% — Grade F
PLAGIARISM
• Plagiarism is the use of the written work of others (either direct copies or close
paraphrases) as one’s own original work. If quotations and/or passages from other
works are used in papers, they must be accorded the proper citation in order to avoid
any misunderstandings about plagiarism. In other words, all written work is to be
written by you.
• When there is evidence that a student has committed plagiarism, he or she will
receive a zero for the assignment and will be reported to Academic Affairs. A second
incident of plagiarism could result in expulsion from the class.
• Plagiarism is a serious offense. If you have any questions about what might be
considered plagiarism, please ask me.
DISABLED STUDENTS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) at Los Angeles Mission College is
a support system that enables students to fully participate in the college’s regular
programs and activities. DSP&S provides a variety of services from academic and
vocational support to assistance with Financial Aid. If you are a disabled student and
need a modification, special assistance or accommodation in order to participate in this
class, alert the instructor promptly and contact the DSP&S office at 818 364-7732 or
818 364-7861. Modifications, special assistance or accommodations can only be made
with proper documentation and coordination with DSP&S.