DRAMA 11 – Page 1
Date Approved:
2/28/92
Date Scanned:
5/11/2005
Date Inactivated
9/28/07
College of the Redwoods
CREDIT COURSE OUTLINE
DEPARTMENT AND COURSE NUMBER: DRAMA 11
DEGREE APPLICABLE
NON-DEGREE APPLICABLE
FORMER NUMBER (If previously offered)
COURSE TITLE Dramatic Writing and Performance: The Monologue
LECTURE HOURS: 1.0
LAB HOURS: 3.0
UNITS: 2.0
PREREQUISITE: None
Eligibility for: Engl 150
Math 105
Request for Exception Attached
CO-REQUISITE: None
GRADING STANDARD:
Letter Grade Only
TRANSFERABILITY:
CSUS
UC
Articulation with UC requested
Repeatable
yes
no
CR/NC Only
NONE
Max No. Units
Grade/CR/NC Option
Maximum Class Size 30
Max No. Enrollments
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to dramatic writing and oral interpretation. Students will study the work of contemporary
monologists, and write and perform short monologues.
NOTE:
COURSE OUTCOMES/OBJECTIVES: List the primary instructional objectives of the class. Formulate
some of them in terms of specific measurable student accomplishments, e.g., specific knowledge and/or
skills to be attained as a result of completing this course. For degree-applicable courses, include
objectives in the area of “critical thinking.” Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to:
(1) Recognize and employ the basic elements and techniques of dramatic writing, including conflict,
motivation, characterization, dramatic irony, and rhythm.
(2) Analyze a piece of dramatic writing and decide if it utilizes these elements skillfully.
(3) Write a short monologue and develop it through a process of several steps involving an initial draft,
a first reading, feedback, rewriting, rehearsal, and performance.
(4) Use expressional skills of voice and physical gesture in the oral interpretation of a piece of
literature.
(5) Act as a solo performer in a public presentation.
DRAMA 11 – Page 2
Date Approved:
2/28/92
Date Scanned:
5/11/2005
Date Inactivated
9/28/07
COURSE OUTLINE:
I.
2.
3.
4.
5.
% of Classroom Hours Spent on Each Topic
Elements of Dramatic Writing
The Creative Process: Left and Right Brain
The Craft of Rewriting
Techniques of Rehearsing
Viewing and Discussion of video and audio tapes of successful monologists:
e.g., Ruth Draper, Whoopie Goldberg, John O’Keefe, Spaulding Gray
6. Analyzing representative monologues for point of view, dramatic irony,
characterization, rhythm and counterpoint
7. In-class writing exercises: finding topics, free writing exercises,
creating an active voice, creating rhythm and counterpoint
8. In-class acting exercises: vocal exercises, physical exercises, physical
aspects of creating a character
9. Presentation and critique of student work
10. Public performance
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
10%
7%
7%
7%
50%
6%
DRAMA 11 – Page 3
Date Approved:
2/28/92
Date Scanned:
5/11/2005
Date Inactivated
9/28/07
APPROPRIATE TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
(Indicate textbooks that may be required or recommended, including alternate texts that may be used.)
Text(s)
Title: Scripts and audio and video tapes of successful monologues, such as
Required
Spaulding Gray’s Swimming to Cambodia, and the monologues of Ruth Draper
Alternate
Edition:
Recommended
Author:
Publisher:
Date Published:
(Additional required, alternate, or recommended texts should be listed on a separate sheet and attached.)
For degree applicable courses the adopted texts have been certified to be college-level:
Yes. Basis for determination:
is used by two or more four-year colleges or universities (certified by the Division Chair or
Branch Coordinator, or Center Dean)
OR
has been certified by the LAC as being of college level using the Coleman and Dale-Chall
Readability Index Scale.
No. Request for Exception Attached
If no text or a below college level text is used in a degree applicable course must have a minimum of one
response in category 1, 2, or 3. If category 1 is not checked, the department must explain why substantial
writing assignments are an inappropriate basis for at least part of the grade.
METHODS TO MEASURE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT:
Please check where appropriate; however, a degree applicable course must have a minimum of one
response in category 1, 2, or 3. If category 1 is not checked, the department must explain why
substantial writing assignments are an inappropriate basis for at least part of the grade.
1. Substantial writing assignments, including:
essay exam(s)
term or other paper(s)
written homework
reading report(s)
other (specify) dramatic monologue
laboratory report(s)
If the course is degree applicable, substantial writing assignments in this course are inappropriate
because:
The course is primarily computational in nature.
The course primarily involves skill demonstrations or problem solving.
Other rationale (explain) __________________________________________
2. Computational or Non-computational problem-solving demonstrations, including:
exam(s)
quizzes
homework problems
laboratory report(s)
field work
other (specify)_______
3. Skill demonstrations, including:
class performance(s)
other (specify)____
4. Objective examinations, including:
multiple choice
completion
field work
performance exam(s)
true/false
other (specify)
matching items
5. Other (specify) ____________________________________
NOTE: A course grade may not be based solely on attendance.
DRAMA 11 – Page 4
Date Approved:
2/28/92
Date Scanned:
5/11/2005
Date Inactivated
9/28/07
REQUIRED READING, WRITING, AND OTHER OUTSIDE OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
Over an 18-week presentation of the course, 3 hours per week are required for each unit of credit. ALL
Degree Applicable Credit classes must treat subject matter with a scope and intensity which require the
student to study outside of class. Two hours of independent work done out of class are required for each
hour of lecture. Lab and activity classes must also require some outside of class work. Outside of the
regular class time the students in this class will be doing the following:
Study
Answer questions
Skill practice
Required reading
Problem solving activity or exercise
Written work (essays/compositions/report/analysis/research)
Journal (reaction and evaluation of class, done on a continuing basis throughout the
semester)
Observation of or participation in an activity related to course content (e.g., play, museum,
concert, debate, meeting, etc.)
Field trips
Other (specify) ____________________________
COLLEGE LEVEL CRITICAL THINKING TASKS/ASSIGNMENTS:
Degree applicable courses must include critical thinking tasks/assignments. This section need not be
completed for non-degree applicable courses. Describe how the course requires students to
independently analyze, synthesize, explain, assess, anticipate and/or define problems, formulate and
assess solutions, apply principles to new situations, etc.
Students must analyze the work of various monologue artists by reading scripts, watching videos, and
listening to sound tracks. From this analysis, they will proceed to apply the principles of dramatic writing
(which they have helped to define) to their own writing and the work of fellow students. They will assess
class writing assignments in group discussion and explain how successful or unsuccessful the writer is in
incorporating the key elements of dramatic writing. In the rehearsal phase of the class, students will
define problems and, with the help of their classmates and the instructor, formulate solutions to improve
their monologues as they prepare for performance.
DRAMA 11 – Page 5
Date Approved:
2/28/92
Date Scanned:
5/11/2005
Date Inactivated
9/28/07
REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION
The Curriculum Committee Is authorized to determine the appropriateness of entrance skills and
requisites for any given course; to determine whether or not language and/or computational skills at the
associate degree level are essential to success in a given course; to determine what is “college level” in
learning skills, vocabulary, and in the ability to think critically and apply concepts; and to determine on a
case-by-case basis when any departure from the attached guidelines may be justified.
This form may also be used to provide justification for making a course repeatable.
To request an exception, provide the following information:
DRAMA 11
Department and Course No.
The Monologue: Writing and Performing
Course Title
NATURE OF THE EXEPTION REQUESTED AND RATIONALE:
TEXT
Text not certified as “college level”: The “texts” for the course will be audiotapes, videotapes, and scripts
(often unpublished) of the work of contemporary monologue artists. These will vary from semester to
semester depending on the instructor’s taste and emphasis. Much of the required reading in the course
will be the reading and critiquing of the students’ scripts-in-progress.