Mission Statement:
College of the Desert provides excellent educational programs in basic skills, career and technical education, certificate, transfer preparation, associate degrees, noncredit and distance education, which are continuously evaluated and improved. Our programs and services contribute to the success, learning and achievement of our diverse students and the vitality of the Desert Community College District, surrounding areas and beyond.
Vision:
College of the Desert will be a center of collaborations and innovations for educational enrichment, economic development and quality of life in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.
Course Overview
The purpose of this course is to increase your understanding and appreciation for the theatre arts and to answer the question “What is Theatre?” You will be studying the art of theatre through a creative, historical, technical, and cultural understanding of the art form. All of the readings and lectures will focus on the elements of theatrical practice; the artists and innovators throughout history who have made an impact on theatre; and lastly we will focus on how theatre has developed into an art form and social phenomenon. This class will require you to participate in class discussions and the sharing of your personal critiques on various plays we will read throughout the semester. You will be encouraged to attend productions outside of class for extra credit. This class is designed to help you explore why and how theatre productions are produced, and to understand how theatre has influenced cultures throughout the world both in past and present.
Course Objectives
During this course you will learn to:
Course Goal
To actively engage students in the general understanding of theatre as a human experience through the exploration of theatre history, dramatic texts, techniques, and elements of the theatre.
Required Texts
Ibsen, Henrik – A Doll’s House (1879)
Miller, Arthur – Death of a Salesman (1949)
Shepard, Sam – Buried Child (1978)
Norman, Marsha – ‘Night, Mother (1983)
Lindsay-Abaire, David – Rabbit Hole (2006)
Ronald J. Wainscott & Kathy J. Fletcher (2012). Theatre: Collaborative Acts (4th/e). New York, New York
Year Two Students - Required Texts
Wilder, Thornton – Our Town (1938)
Williams, Tennessee –A Streetcar Named Desire (1948)
Hackett, Albert and Goodrich, Frances – The Diary of Anne Frank (1956)
Wilson, August – Fences (1987)
Auburn, David – Proof (2001)
Ronald J. Wainscott & Kathy J. Fletcher (2012). Theatre: Collaborative Acts (4th/e). New York, New York
Grading
The following is a breakdown of percentages for each assignment:
Midterm – 15%
Final – 25%
Critiques –50% (5 @ 10% each)
Participation – 10%
* Note that the scale above is a guide only. The instructor reserves the right to curve the scale to reflect the overall class performance.
Grading Scale
A 900-1000 points 90-100 percent
B 800-890 points 80-89 percent
C 700-790 points 70-79 percent
D 600-690 points 60-69 percent
F Fewer than 600 points Less than 60 percent
College of the Desert provides excellent educational programs in basic skills, career and technical education, certificate, transfer preparation, associate degrees, noncredit and distance education, which are continuously evaluated and improved. Our programs and services contribute to the success, learning and achievement of our diverse students and the vitality of the Desert Community College District, surrounding areas and beyond.
Vision:
College of the Desert will be a center of collaborations and innovations for educational enrichment, economic development and quality of life in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.
Course Overview
The purpose of this course is to increase your understanding and appreciation for the theatre arts and to answer the question “What is Theatre?” You will be studying the art of theatre through a creative, historical, technical, and cultural understanding of the art form. All of the readings and lectures will focus on the elements of theatrical practice; the artists and innovators throughout history who have made an impact on theatre; and lastly we will focus on how theatre has developed into an art form and social phenomenon. This class will require you to participate in class discussions and the sharing of your personal critiques on various plays we will read throughout the semester. You will be encouraged to attend productions outside of class for extra credit. This class is designed to help you explore why and how theatre productions are produced, and to understand how theatre has influenced cultures throughout the world both in past and present.
Course Objectives
During this course you will learn to:
- Identify authors and their works that have made a major impact on the theatre and its development as an art form.
- Comprehend the role of theatre as literature and theatre as performance by reading written plays.
- Read and write critiques on Pulitzer Prize winning plays throughout history.
- Understand the role of society in the viewing and interpretation of theatrical productions.
- Identify important characters and actions in dramatic materials.
- Distinguish characteristics of theatre that differentiate it from other art forms.
- Identify and define the purpose and role of sets, lighting, costumes, props and sound in theatrical productions.
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of various theatre personnel.
- Describe the different forms of drama.
- Develop an appreciation for theatre as an art form and a reflection of society.
- Participate in discussion activities with other members of the class.
Course Goal
To actively engage students in the general understanding of theatre as a human experience through the exploration of theatre history, dramatic texts, techniques, and elements of the theatre.
Required Texts
Ibsen, Henrik – A Doll’s House (1879)
Miller, Arthur – Death of a Salesman (1949)
Shepard, Sam – Buried Child (1978)
Norman, Marsha – ‘Night, Mother (1983)
Lindsay-Abaire, David – Rabbit Hole (2006)
Ronald J. Wainscott & Kathy J. Fletcher (2012). Theatre: Collaborative Acts (4th/e). New York, New York
Year Two Students - Required Texts
Wilder, Thornton – Our Town (1938)
Williams, Tennessee –A Streetcar Named Desire (1948)
Hackett, Albert and Goodrich, Frances – The Diary of Anne Frank (1956)
Wilson, August – Fences (1987)
Auburn, David – Proof (2001)
Ronald J. Wainscott & Kathy J. Fletcher (2012). Theatre: Collaborative Acts (4th/e). New York, New York
Grading
The following is a breakdown of percentages for each assignment:
Midterm – 15%
Final – 25%
Critiques –50% (5 @ 10% each)
Participation – 10%
* Note that the scale above is a guide only. The instructor reserves the right to curve the scale to reflect the overall class performance.
- The midterm and final will be based on class lectures as well as plays we have read and discussed in class. The exams themselves will consist of multiple-choice and/or true-false questions with the possibility of a few short essay questions.
Grading Scale
A 900-1000 points 90-100 percent
B 800-890 points 80-89 percent
C 700-790 points 70-79 percent
D 600-690 points 60-69 percent
F Fewer than 600 points Less than 60 percent