I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 2/8/13)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change or
renew existing gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
II. Mathematics
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
III. Language
VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * IX: American & European
if requesting
IV: Expressive Arts
X: Indigenous & Global
more than one
XI: Natural Sciences
X V: Literary & Artistic Studies
general
w/ lab  w/out lab 
education
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program School of Theatre & Dance
Course #
U THTR 101L
Course Title
Introduction to Theatre
Prerequisite
Credits
3
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Instructor Requestor
Phone / Email
Date
Jillian Campana
x5846
jillian.campana@umontana.edu
Michael Monsos
Dr. Stephen Kalm
Program Chair Director
Dean
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Renew
Change
Remove
X
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of the general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
This course is designed to introduce the student to various aspects of both historical and contemporary
theatre and performance practices. Throughout the course of this class, students will explore methods of
actor training, directing, dramaturgy, design (lighting, set, properties, and costume), theatre in the
educational environment, as well as the various aspects of theatre as a business enterprise.
Among the most significant applications of this course are regular play attendance for Theatre & Dance
productions, subsequent discussions with practitioners, and the ultimate development of perceptive, and
participatory, audience members and critics.
This course, faithfully undertaken, will provide students with a strong foundational knowledge of theatre
that will enhance both their skills and experiences as readers, writers, audience members, and possibly
even practitioners of theatre.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Courses cover a number of works in one or
Through class work, live demonstrations, in-class
more of the various forms of artistic
projects, and regular production attendance,
representation; they also establish a framework students will learn to distinguish characteristics of
and context for analysis of the structure and
theatre that differentiate it from other art forms
significance of these works.
and gain confidence in communicating in a variety
of practical and theoretical vocabularies.
Courses provide mechanisms for students 1) to 1) Through an introduction to theatre as an art
receive instruction on the methods of analysis
form, students will learn to identify the
and criticism, and 2) to develop arguments
contemporary and personal relevance of various
about the works from differing critical
performance and theatrical styles and gain
perspectives.
experience in sharing these thoughts and ideas in
a safe environment.
2) Students will write regularly assigned response
papers and critical analyses of dramatic literature,
stagecraft, and live performance. Students will
improve written communication skills and deepen
critical analytical faculties, as well as increase
their awareness of the breadth of the dramatic
canon.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Upon completion of this perspective, students
Through the practice of artistic and literary
will be able to analyze works of art with respect criticism and analysis of various examples of
to structure and significance within literary and
theatre, students will gain an understanding of
artistic traditions, including emergent
theatre as a performing art and its significance
movements and forms.
within a variety of traditions, including emergent
movements and forms, as well as improve oral
and written communications skills.
Upon completion of this perspective, students
Through in-class exercises, live demonstrations
will be able to develop coherent arguments that
by practitioners, and regular attendance at and
critique these works from a variety of
analysis of live performances, students will learn
approaches, such as historical, aesthetic,
to demonstrate confidence developing coherent
cultural, psychological, political, and
arguments that critique these works. Contexts
philosophical.
that are considered include the historical,
aesthetic, cultural, and philosophical. Ultimately,
students will both broaden and strengthen their
appreciation for theatre arts and their significant
role as audience members and critics.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
N/A
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
Intro to Theatre: THTR 101L – 01 - 3 Credits
7:10 pm - 10:00 pm M University Hall 210
Instructor – John Kenneth DeBoer
Office – McGill 212A
Phone – 243-2018
Email – john.deboer@umontana.edu
Office Hours – TR 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Mailbox – PARTV 197
Course Description
This course is designed to familiarize the student with various aspects of both
contemporary theatre and historical performance practices so they can gain a deeper
understanding, appreciation, and critical perception of the theatrical event.
We will explore characteristics of actor training, directing, dramaturgy, design (lighting,
set, properties, and costume), theatre in the education, the differences between art
and entertainment, theatre’s relationship to culture, the various aspects of theatre as a
business enterprise, as well as preparing students to be knowledgeable theatre goers
now and in the future.
This course will provide students with a strong foundational knowledge of theatrical
activity that will enhance both their skills and experiences as readers, writers, audience
members, society members, and perhaps even Theatre Practitioners.
Course Objectives:
 Students will learn to distinguish characteristics of theatre that differentiate it
from other art forms, and gain confidence in communicating in a variety of
practical and theoretical vocabularies.
 Students will be able to identify the contemporary and personal relevance of
various performance and theatrical styles, and gain experience in sharing these
thoughts and ideas in a safe environment.
 Students will improve written communication skills, and deepen critical and
analytical faculties, as well as increase their awareness of the dramatic
literature.
 Students will both broaden and strengthen their appreciation for theatre, the
artists that create it and their own significant role as audience members and
critics.
Required Texts
The Art of Theatre: A Concise Introduction. 2nded
Tongue of a Bird by Ellen McLaughlin
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, available online at
http://classics.mit.edu/Sophocles/oedipus.html
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Any available copy or online version will do
**A copy of these texts will be on reserve in the Library.**
School of Theatre & Dance Rules and Regs
All students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and procedures
outlined in the School of Theatre & Dance Handbook. The Handbook is available
online at http://www.umt.edu/theatredance/about/handbook regarding attendance
policies, absences, tardies, missed or late assignments or tests, ways to challenge a
grade, special accommodations, scholastic dishonesty, and other areas of interest.
Attendance and Late Policy
All class sessions during this evening session will be divided into two blocks: 7:10-8:25
and 8:35-10:00. Each class session amounts to the material covered in one week of
class, so if you oversleep and miss part of the first block, do not write off the whole
day’s work. Come as soon as you can and you will only be counted absent for the first
half of class. Each block is considered one day of class for attendance purposes. The
School of Theatre & Dance policy allows for three unexcused absences or three
blocks of class. Each subsequent unexcused absence will result in the lowering of
your final grade by 1/3 of a letter grade.
The only excuses accepted for absences are illness accompanied by a doctor’s note;
death in the family, also with a note; university obligation, with appropriate
documentation; and, religious holidays as outlined in the departmental Handbook.
Class begins promptly at 7:10, and three tardies will be counted as an absence. If you
are more than ten minutes late for class you will be counted absent for the attendance
block. If you are absent, or late, you are responsible for finding out what you missed
and making up all work. If you know in advance that you are going to be absent, you
are required to submit in advance any work that will be due during your absence, and
you will be responsible for making up all work missed during the absence. It is
obviously to your advantage to learn what you have missed. If necessary, arrange a
meeting with me.
Written work is considered late if it is not ready to be turned in at the beginning of the
class period for which the assignment is due. Computer/printer problems do not
constitute a valid excuse for a late paper. Papers that are submitted late will lose a
full letter grade per day for the first two days, after which time they will no longer be
accepted and will receive a zero.
Group presentations and the accompanying written work may not be presented late. If
the group presentation is not presented on the scheduled date, the assignment will
count as a zero for all members of the group. Any individual not participating with their
group (without an appropriate excuse) will receive a zero.
Production Attendance
You are required to attend the three School of Theatre and Dance and Montana
Repertory Theatre performances produced this semester. Missing one production will
drop your grade one full letter. Missing two productions will drop your grade two full
letters. If you do not attend any of the productions you will earn a failing grade in the
class. Production attendance is a part of this class - there are no exceptions and there
will be quizzes/papers on the productions.
The class fee that you have already paid allows you to get one ticket for these shows
at no extra expense. You must pick up your ticket at the Drama box office located in
the lobby of the PARTV building in person between 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM, Monday Friday. You can only pick up one ticket, your own; you cannot pick up a classmates
ticket for them.
You must present your GRIZ CARD to pick up your tickets and you must identify which
class you are in, therefore you must know your section number and instructors name.
You are in 101L, section 1. Your instructor’s name is: John Kenneth DeBoer
Seating in the Masquer Theatre is general admission. Seating in the Montana Theatre
is reserved.
The fee that you have paid does not guarantee you a ticket on a particular night, nor
does it guarantee that you will be able to get a ticket if the show sells out, therefore do
not wait until the evening of the performance to pick up a ticket.
The three shows you will be seeing this semester are:
Leading Ladies by Ken Ludwig, January 26 to February 6
Tongue of a Bird by Ellen McLaughlin, March 16-27
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, by William Finn, April 23 to May 8
*There are no performances on Monday nights however the class will attend a Monday
night dress rehearsal of Tongue of a Bird and attendance will be taken.
Participation
Class participation, in all respects, is encouraged. Each student will receive a
participation grade based not only on productive participation* in class, but also on
behavior and attitude in the classroom and at university productions. Please be
courteous and respectful to your peers, your instructor, and the theatre artists your will
be witnessing. Productive participation means being prepared for class; asking
relevant questions; contributing informed, relevant comments; engaging in the process
of learning through group discussion; and being open to informed, intelligent debate.
You do not always have to agree with your peers or your instructor, but you do always
need to be respectful of differing opinions, and you must always be certain that your
positions are informed by your own reading, research, and experience, not merely by
what you’ve heard from someone else.
Moodle
Lectures, course assignments, and other important information will be placed on
Moodle after each class. Students are expected to check Moodle and their email
regularly. Most weeks a discussion topic will be placed in the course forum.
Participation in these forums is part of your participation grade.
Extra Credit
Part of appreciating the theatre as a good patron is providing service to the community
by volunteering and making donations of time and goods. This semester you can earn
up to a maximum of fifty extra-credit points towards your participation grade for
participating in a wide variety of activities. They are as follows:



10 Points - Attend performances sponsored by Montana Rep Missoula,
Montana Actors Theatre, the Spring Dance Concert, the Sunday Night Lights
reading series, and other local performances with instructor approval. Must
provide a program from the event with your name written clearly on the front in
order to be awarded the points
10 Points – Serve on the crew—stage management, board operation, and
backstage run-crew—of a production at one of the above listed theatres.
5 Points Each – Donate Sparkling Cider, or a sleeve of fancy 8-ounce clear
plastic party cups for opening night toasts of the Spring Dance Concert, Tongue
of a Bird, and Spelling Bee.
In order to receive credit for seeing a production you must present a ticket stub or a
program with your name written clearly at the top. Cups and Cider should be brought
to me during my office hours. If you participate on a crew, please provide me the
company and director’s name and I will contact them to confirm your work.
Response Papers and Creative Projects
These short two to three page essays, presentations, and creative projects will be
based on the live theatre productions you see and scripts you read as a part of the
requirements for this class. The topics of these papers are:
Leading Ladies – Your fresh perspective (Paper)
Oedipus Rex – Group Presentation (Presentation)
Tongue of a Bird – From Page to Stage (Paper)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Creative Creation (Creative Project)
Spelling Bee – Style and Staging in Musical Theatre (Paper)
These essays are intended to demonstrate your understanding of the play’s genre,
cultural significance, and point of view. They will also help demonstrate your
understanding of the various disciplines employed within the theatre production
process. You will be offered several topics (such as “acting,” “lighting,” “costuming,”
“special effects,” etc.) for each production. These papers may be turned in as soon as
you have seen the show, but no later than the class following closing night. Please
attach your ticket stub.
In–Class Activities
On several occasions, there are special activities planned for the class.
You will
receive adequate instructions up to a week before these projects are due. You will be
participating in various group projects. Time will be given for your group to brainstorm
and rehearse. Additional time outside of class may be necessary in order to receive
the best grade. Any individual not participating with their group (without an appropriate
excuse) will receive a zero.
Research Presentation
In these research presentations you will seek to define what you believe the theatre of
the future should be, how it would be organized, the type of plays that would be
presented, the organization and/or business management, the audience it would be
targeting, and the facility where it would be housed. Your work will be presented in
class. You may include Powerpoint presentation, illustrations, handouts, etc. to make
your presentation most effective.
Reading
This course is designed to fulfill a Literature requirement for your Gen-Eds.
Consequently, there are a number of plays to read during the semester. The plays
selected will give you a very broad, but worthwhile, overview of drama from early
Greece to the present day. You may be quizzed on the assigned reading material at
any time, so be prepared.
Exams
Both tests will be a combination of matching, short answer, fill-in-the-blank, true or
false, and essay questions. Take good notes, and stay up-to-date with class activities,
as there will be no class time provided as a review session for these tests. Your final
exam will be cumulative.
Evaluation and Assessment
Response Papers
Presentations, and Creative Projects
Class Participation/Show attendance
Pop Quizzes
Mid-term Exam
25%
25%
20%
10%
10%
Final Exam
10%
Academic Misconduct and the Student Conduct Code
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an
academic penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by the
University. All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code
is available for review online at http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.php
What are we doing?
25-Jan
What is Theatre? What is Art? What
is Drama?, "Leading Ladies - Your
Fresh Perspective" Assigned
What’s Due?
Have Read…
1-Feb
Theatre in our lives
Chapters 1-3
8-Feb
"Leading Ladies Experiencing and Analyzing, Oedipus Your Fresh
Rex Group projects assigned.
Perspective"
Chapter 4 and
pages 252-259
15-Feb
Presidents Day Holiday - No Class
22-Feb
A day in the Life of Theatre. Quiz on
Chapters 1-4 and Oedipus Rex.
1-Mar
The Playwright and the Script,
"Tongue of a Bird - From Page to
Stage" Assigned
Chapter 5
Chapter 6,
Tongue of a
Bird, and
Handouts
8-Mar
The Art of Acting and Directing
Chapters 7-8
15-Mar
Attend Tongue of a Bird Dress
Rehearsal in the Masquer Theatre @
7:30
22-Mar
Cumulative Midterm
29-Mar
Spring Break - No Class
5-Apr
12-Apr
Oedipus Rex
Group Projects
"Tongue of a Bird
- From Page to
Stage"
Chapters 9-10
and A
Midsummer
Nights Dream
Creativity and the Art of Design, "A
Midsummer Night's Dream Creative
Creation" Assigned
The Many Types of Theatre, "Theatre
of the Future," Research and
Presentation groups assigned
19-Apr
The Many Types of Theatre
Continued "Spelling Bee - Style and
Staging in Musical Theatre"
26-Apr
The Musical
Chapter 11
"A Midsummer
Night's Dream
Creative
Creation"
Chapter 12
"Theatre of the
Future"
3-May
Final Group Presentations
Presentations
"Spelling Bee
10-May Cumulative Final Exam
Paper”
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.