TPS 1107/03 - Arts in Society: Theatre
Mondays and Wednesdays 8:00 PM to 9:15 PM
Spring 2005
Class Location: Humanities 102
Syllabus
Instructor:
Miguel Zavala
Office Location: Joe Mack Wilson Building, Room 224
Office hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, and by appointment
Telephone:
(770) 423-6789
E-mail:
mzavala@kennesaw.edu
Class Website: http://www.kennesaw.edu/theatre/ (then click on Arts in Society)
KSU events: http://www.kennesaw/edu/arts.
Atlanta Performing Arts Website: http://www.atlantaperforms.com
Dept. Secretary: Emilie Helms (770) 499-3123
Course Description
Arts in Society: Theatre studies the value of the arts as vital forces in the lives of human beings, with
particular focus on the art of theatre and performance. Through a variety of aesthetic experiences, students
examine elements of theatre, performance, music and visual arts and investigate the ways in which they
reflect our experiences, express and arouse emotion, foster community and deepen our understanding of
humanity.
Team Teaching
One of the distinctive aspects of Theatre 1107 is the team teaching format of the course. This gives us the
opportunity to expose you to a wide array of perspectives and areas of expertise throughout the semester.
Course Objectives:
 Demonstrate a basic understanding of what distinguishes theatre from other human endeavors.
 Identify and apply key concepts used in the analysis and creation of theatre and performance.
 Discuss ways in which theatre interacts with, and is often inseparable from history, geography,
literature, music, visual arts, the sciences and everyday life.
 Experience and evaluate a range of theatre, performance, music and visual art from different
times and cultures.
 Analyze and write intelligent responses to theatre, music, and visual art events.
 Create and present a short theatre piece on the final day of class.
Required text (available at the KSU bookstore):
 Wilson, August, The Piano Lesson.
 E-BOOK: Purchase this text with a credit card online. You may download it and print it, or read it
on your computer screen. Instructions to be announced.
Required tickets purchases:
You are required to purchase tickets to the following events:
1. The 23rd Annual Winter Storytelling Festival
 When: January 28-30, 2005. You may choose the Friday (8:00 pm), OR the Saturday (7:30 pm)
evening performance, OR the Saturday or Sunday matinee. Children are welcome. Go to
http://www.southernorderofstorytellers.com/ for a complete schedule.
 Where: At the KSU Continuing Education Center (on the other side of I75, just past the Cracker
Barrel). 3333 Busbee Drive, Kennesaw, GA 30144.
 Ticket Price: $10.00 with a valid student I.D at the KSU Box Office. Ticket prices may cost more
at the door and sell out.
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2. The Piano Lesson
 When: March 16-April 24, 2005. Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, and Sunday at 2:30 PM
and 7:00 PM.
 Where: Theatre in the Square in downtown Marietta. 11 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064.
 Ticket Price: Tickets to Theatre in the Square range from $20 to $32, depending on the show and
the day of the week. Student Rush Tickets are $11.00 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
evenings at 8:00 PM. Purchase your ticket with a valid student I.D. between 7 and 8 PM on the
same evening you wish to attend. Theatre in the Square recommends that you call the box office
during the afternoon to make certain there are tickets available (770) 422-8369. For more
information, go to http://www.theatreinthesquare.com
 You must see a performance by Wednesday, April 11th in order to submit your written
report on time.
3. Gianni Schicchi and The Old Maid and the Thief
 When: April 19-24, 2005. Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, and Sunday at 3:00 PM.
 Where: Kennesaw State University’s Stillwell Theatre.
 Ticket Price: $10.00 with a valid student I.D. at the KSU Box Office.
Remember that you must reserve tickets in advance, and that your seat for any show or event is not
guaranteed until you have a ticket in hand. No late seating is permitted.
KSU Box Office hours
Monday through Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Fridays: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Phone: (770) 423-6650
The Box Office is also open one hour before show times: 7:00 PM on weeknights and 2:00 PM on Sundays
when there are matinee performances.
Reports*:
After attending each of the required events (keep ticket-stubs and programs) the following reports must
be downloaded off of the class website and completed. Specific instructions regarding completion and
submission will be discussed in greater detail. Due dates appear on the class schedule. It is advised that
you save all corrected assignments until the end of the semester.

The 23rd Annual Winter Storytelling Festival

The Piano Lesson

Gianni Schicchi and The Old Maid and the Thief
Substitution for events
If you are absolutely unable to attend one of the assigned events, you must secure approval with your
instructor and fill out the Substitution Form (download off of class website) before attending the event you
intend to substitute. Substitutions will be approved for professional events only, and you may do so only
once in the course.
Quizzes*
Evaluations for this course include three Quizzes. They are objective (multiple choice and true/false) in
format and cover materials from the text and in-class activities and lectures. Therefore, it is important that
you attend regularly and take good notes.
Final Group Project: Creating Theatre
You are required to participate in the final group project. You will create a five-minute theatre piece
utilizing the concepts of theatre and performance studied throughout the semester. Group projects will be
presented during the final examination period. You will be penalized if you fail to participate. Your
contribution must be specifically documented in a written report, which will be collected on the day of the
final.
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Attendance Policy
I expect that you’ll attend every class meeting, without exception, and that you’ll arrive on time. Two
points will be deducted for each absence, and ten points for each absence on Group Project Work days.
Documentation of medical and family emergencies is needed to excuse any absence. I do not grant excused
absences if you wait several days to communicate with me.
Class Conduct
I expect that you will turn off your cell phone before entering the classroom. I expect that you will not eat
or drink (only bottled water is allowed) in Humanities 102. I trust that you will respect yourself and your
fellow colleagues. Points will be deducted otherwise.
Grading:
Points summary:
Winter Storytelling Festival
20 points
The Piano Lesson Report
30 points
Gianni Schicchi/The Old Maid and the Thief Report 50 points
In-Class Art Analysis
5 points
In-Class Music Questionnaire
5 points
Quizzes (25 points each)
75 points
Group Project & Report
60 points
Attendance
20 points
Total
265 points
Final grade breakdown for points earned:
A = 265 - 239
B = 238 - 212
C = 211 - 185
D = 184 - 158
F = 157 and below
*All written work in this course are to be the sole effort of the individual submitting student, not worked
upon collaboratively by more than one student.
Extra Credit
Students may earn extra credit points (20 maximum) for the following:
 Ushering for KSU events (10 points)
 Working backstage or assisting with production design (points vary)
 Attend extra KSU theatre events: The Birthday Party (Feb. 15-20), or Roland’s Song (March
22-27) and submitting an extra credit critique form (download off of website) one week after
you attend the performance (points vary)
 Volunteering to participate in class demonstrations (1-5 points)
 Completing and submitting in-class handouts (1-5 points)
Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is Friday March 4, 2005.
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Performances, Class Discussions and Video Clips
Topics may include the following: War, religion, politics, and human sexuality. Video clips may contain
graphic material such as strong language, nudity, and violence.
Academic Integrity
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the Student Code of Conduct as published in the
Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s
policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access
to University materials, misrepresentations/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious
removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities
and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will
be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either
an “ informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing
procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of conduct’s minimum one semester suspension
requirement.
Any student with a documented disability or medical condition is requested to notify the instructor
immediately and contact Carol Pope at the Student Development Center at (770) 423-6443. Verification
from KSU Disabled Student Support Services is required. All discussions will remain confidential.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes:
The General Education Program at KSU has four general student learning outcomes. During the course of
the program, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the General Education areas: Humanities, Fine
Arts, Science, Mathematics, Technology, Social Science, and the Essential Skills.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in communication.
3. Demonstrate skills in inquiry, critical thinking, and problem solving through scholarly and/or creative
activity across the general education disciplines.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of ethics, diversity, and a global perspective.
TPS 1107 contributes in some measure to each of these four outcomes.
Syllabus subject to change
Kennesaw State University, Department of Theatre, & Performance Studies, College of the Arts
1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591
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Spring 2005 Class Schedule
Note: All readings should be completed prior to the class meeting for which they are assigned.
Date
Monday, January 10
Wednesday, January 12
Monday, January 17
Wednesday, January 19
Monday, January 24
Wednesday, January 26
Monday, January 31
Wednesday, February 2
Monday, February 7
Wednesday, February 9
Monday, February 14
Wednesday, February
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Content
Introduction to the course
Valuing the Arts
NO CLASS
What is Theatre?
Storytelling with Professor Kirk
-Varieties of the Theatre:
The Contemporary Theatre Scene
-Report Forms Guidelines
Post performance discussion-Storytelling
Varieties of the Theatre:
The Contemporary Theatre Scene
World Theatre-Asia
World Theatre with Professor Robinson
-Quiz 1
-Group Project assignments
Playwriting with Professor Ashley
Monday, February 21
Wednesday, February
23
Monday, February 28
Wednesday, March 2
Monday, March 7
Wednesday, March 9
Monday, March 14
Playwriting with Professor Bishop
Group Project Work
Wednesday, March 16
-Acting & Performing Part II
-Group Project Work
Preview for The Piano Lesson
with Professor Tooks-Emery
-Quiz 2
-Directing
-Directing Part II
Experiencing Visual Art (Guest from Visual Arts)
Theatrical Space and Scenic Design
with Professor Chen
Costumes, Lighting and Sound
with Professor Bullins
-Post-performance discussion- The Piano Lesson
-Group Project Work
Group Project Work
-Preview for Gianni Schicchi and The Old Maid
and the Thief
-Group Project Work
-The Arts in Society
-Group Project Work
-Quiz 3
-Group Project Work
Group Project Work
Monday, March 21
Wednesday, March 23
Monday, March 28
Wednesday, March 30
Monday, April 4
Wednesday, April 6
Monday, April 11
Wednesday, April 13
Monday, April 18
Wednesday, April 20
Monday, April 25
Wednesday, April 27
Experiencing Music
Experiencing Dance
NO CLASS
NO CLASS
Acting & Performing
Assignment
Read Chapter 16,
Contemporary Trends
pp. 375-399
Storytelling Report Due
Late Storytelling Reports
accepted (5 point deduction)
Read Chapter 12,
The Elements of Drama
pp.373-387
In-class questionnaire
Read Chapter 4,
The Art of the Actor
pp. 126-146
Read The Piano Lesson
Read Chapter 5, The Director
pp.149-171
In-class activity
Read Chapter 6, The
Designers pp. 173-203
The Piano Lesson Report due
-Gianni Schicchi and The Old
Maid and the Thief Report due
-Late Piano Lesson Report
accepted (10 point deduction)
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Wednesday, May 4
Final Exam: Presentation of Group Projects,
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Group Project Report Due
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