Thetr 100 Online  Syllabus for Spring, 2010   Introduction to the Theatre Arts  (sections 7818, 7819)

COURSE:  an introductory survey of the art of theatre.  Areas of study include directing, playwriting, design, and acting, play structure, and significant periods of theatre history.  The goal of this class is to increase the student’s awareness and appreciation of theatre as a form of communication within its artistic medium.

UNITS:  Theatre 100 is a 3-unit course that satisfies part of the humanities requirement for graduation.  It also satisfies part of the art requirement (Area C) for transfer.  Theatre 100 is a required course for MJC Theatre majors and Theatre Certificates.

OBJECTIVES: Students that complete this course will be able to:
·         Identify and discuss the functions of theatre production team members and how they collaborate to create a
                      production.
·         Identify and discuss the major theatre genres.
·         Identify the configuration of theatrical playing spaces and discuss how they influence productions.
·         Discuss the importance of the Classical Greek and English Renaissance periods in theatre history.
·         Attend a theatre performance and voice an opinion as to the degree of success of the production concerning various
                       production elements.
 

TEXTBOOK: Theater: The Lively Art
                    by Wilson and Goldfarb – 5^th, 6^th, or 7^th edition (CD is not required for class)

                    Also available online  http://instructors.coursesmart.com/tellstudents?xmlid=0077245679

The textbook is available in the MJC Bookstore (located on West Campus in the Mary Stuart Rogers bldg) and is required for the course.   It is possible to use either the 5^th, 6^th or 7^th editions.

There are also copies of these textbooks on reserve at both MJC campuses for in library use only.

Note: While many of you may want to go online to try and buy less expensive copies, (example: amazon.com; textbook.com) bear in mind that you are still responsible for keeping up with the readings.  So if your copy hasn't arrived yet, go to the library or find a student who wants to be your friend.

SOFTWARE
Make sure you do the WebCt browser Check and Java Check.  Otherwise, you will not be able to submit your work.  If you have a problem, PLEASE call MJC Hotline 575-6412.

CLASS PARTICIPATION:  I expect you to check in at least on a weekly basis minimum.  If you go more than 2 weeks without logging on than I will consider you as having left the class and I will drop you.

GRADES:  Your grades are based on an accumulative point system.  The more points you earn (i.e. the more work you do) the higher your grade.  You have a choice on how you earn your points – referred to as a “cafeteria” choice of assignments.

EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT CHOICES:

This is a “cafeteria menu” concept toward grading: You decide where and when you are going to earn your grade points. Any combination is fine with me.  There is NO PARTICULAR PAPER that you have to write ......unless you want an "A” in which case you must see and review (1) live professional/MJC theater production.  If you can't, contact me immediately. The idea behind this type of grading is that you know best what grade you need and how much work and effort you are able to put into this class.

Here are just a few possibilities I made up. Again, you make up your own option.  If in doubt about your combination, please email me. I don't have to know what your option is but you need to know so that you can plan ahead.

WAYS OF ATTAINING POINTS – While you don’t have to turn in a paper every week you may only turn in two papers in a 7 day period.  Plan ahead!

Required Performances and Performance Review Papers   (You must pass Quiz 7 with 12 pts or more to write these papers)

              There is one required performance review paper assigned for this course if you want an “A”.  (Even if you have enough points for an “A” and have not seen a “live MJC or Professional performance” you will NOT be awarded an “A”.  Each review has a minimum of 1,000 words.  Go to Learning Module Unit 4 for more details and the format for how to do the reviews. 

           MJC Theater Production –    worth 40 pts.                                                       mjc.tix.com

                             Noises Off    March 19^th – 28^th      

Other professional performances will also count.  Check with me FIRST to see if I will allow a particular performance – I have included others on the link found in Learning Module 7.

        MJC Dance Productions –   worth 30 pts.                               mjc.tix.com

                         Off-Balance      February 18 – 21^st  

Reviews must be handed in within 2 weeks of seeing the production.    Otherwise, you might only receive “½” of your points.  ONLY productions seen since the beginning of this class count.

Tickets for MJC productions may be found at MJC.tix.com  http://mjc.tix.com/Schedule.asp?OrganizationNumber=2154

Movie Evaluations    20 points apiece (You must pass Quiz 4 with 12 pts or more to write these papers)

I have selected certain movies that you may watch and do an evaluation. The list of movies and the format for these reviews are in Learning Module Unit 4.   The minimum for each review must be 1000 words.  These are NOT movie reviews but an analytical study of the structure of the movie. 

Journal Reviews   10 points apiece  (You must pass Quiz 2 with 12 pts or more to write these papers)

You will also have the option of going online and reading pertinent articles relating to theater.  How to do this and the format for these reviews can be found in Learning Module Unit 2.  Each review must be at least 750 words.   

Discussions and Contribution to the Online Community   Class Participation   5 points apiece  (15 points at most)

Much of the learning (and fun) online happens when you interact with your fellow students in the discussion area.  There will be two types of discussion - points and no points. There will only be at the most three Discussions worth points.   These points are assigned based on the quality of your original posts – and the follow-ups replies.  You must do both for full credit.  There will also be other general discussion topics which are not worth points but for your convenience. 

In order to receive credit for your contribution to the online community, you must use the POST button for your original comments and the REPLY when responding to someone else's posting.  WebCT helps me track the number of replies each student submits.  This will also help improve the "conversation" quality of the discussion areas.

I view these Discussions as "class participation" and as such only add in the points at the end of the semester if you "need" just a couple of extra points to reach the next grade.  Do not count on them for your overall points for this class.

Quizzes also known as Assessments   15 points apiece for a total of 225 points

There will be (15) quizzes for the course. Each quiz is worth fifteen points for a total of (225) points. There will be a quiz due every week.  The deadline for submission will be 11:55 pm on Mondays.  The quizzes will be held online and will consist of multiple types of questions.  Prepare by reading the chapters carefully and by studying the chapter learning objectives.  You can also go to www.mhhe.com/livelyart to help review vocabulary and ideas.  You may take the quizzes as many times as you like before the cutoff date at the end of the week- but you must wait an hour between each attempt.

Deadlines for the quizzes are listed on the WebCT course calendar.  You must take each quiz prior to the announced deadline.  Quiz deadlines have been planned in order to help you pace your progress through the course content. If you miss a quiz, you should be prepared with a good reason why I should let you take it at a later date.

You will have a limited amount of time to complete the quiz once you begin - available for one hour only after you enter the quiz feature.  It is your responsibility to set aside the proper amount of uninterrupted time in order to successfully complete the quiz.  There are no midterms or final exams for this course.

COMMUNICATIONS:
 - To contact me, please use the mail system within Blackboard.  You may also always call 575-6442.
 - To talk with each other, you have the choice of the mail system or the discussions.  Please do not use specific discussion topics for general communication.
 - Also you can use the tool in your COURSE TOOLS and invite people to CHAT.

Other Important Course Stuff

All students enrolled in this course will receive a letter grade (A-F) unless the proper drop procedure is followed.  I will drop you for lack of participation in the class.  Incomplete Grades are not normally awarded.  Incomplete grades will only be considered in the case of circumstances that arise which are clearly beyond the control of the student.

The instructor reserves the right to change the content and schedule for this course.

Plagiarism is a serious academic offence.  I will follow the procedures outlined in the MJC Student Code of Conduct when plagiarism is suspected.  Students are encouraged to learn about what constitutes plagiarism and the proper methods of citing sources of research materials.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

Some portions of Blackboard may not be directly accessible to users with certain disabilities. If you have a disability, and require accommodations, it is your responsibility to notify me as soon as possible.  You can contact me by phone or email in order to make special arrangements.