THEA 461: SENIOR THESIS
SPRING 2010
PHONE: 2761
E-MAIL: mutoet@longwood.edu
SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR: GENE MUTO
OFFICE: 325 CMST
HOURS: M & W: 1 – 2, O.B.A.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a capstone course designed to help students prepare
for commencement and for life beyond this university. It is structured as a seminar/
tutorial, culminating in a) the creation of an undergraduate thesis, b) a comprehensive
exit exam in theatre history, dramatic literature and theory, and your area of
concentration, c) the assembling of an electronic portfolio, d) and the completion of a
professional resume. We will meet together as a class once a week, and each student will
also work individually with a specified faculty mentor in the creation of the thesis.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES:
1. To provide students the opportunity to reflect upon what they have learned and
experienced during the time at Longwood University
2. To prepare students for the professional world or for graduate study by having
them assemble a professional portfolio
3. To provide an opportunity to demonstrate skills in independent research and
creative work
4. To demonstrate skills in research, including methodology, technology, and written
and oral presentations
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1.
OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Students are required to assemble a portfolio of their work, including:





2.
A research/writing sample
A portfolio of materials that demonstrates work in theatre, either in Performance,
Technology, Education/Pedagogy, or History/Theory
A Professional Resume
A theoretical letter of application for employment or graduate school
An Exit Survey
Senior Thesis:



All theses will have a 20-page written component (not including bibliography),
which will include research, documentation, and analysis
The writing component will be impeccable in FORM: grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and syntax
Students whose concentration is either in Technology or in Performance may use
iconographic evidence in their theses: photographs, slides, renderings, plots,
audio/video, graphics, etc.
3.
Final comprehensive exit Exam in Theatre History, Dramatic Literature and
Theory, and (as appropriate) area of concentration
4.
Oral presentation of the thesis and research techniques
LATE WORK IS NOT AN OPTION. NO EXCEPTIONS. NONE. NOT ANY.
DON’T ASK.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: At this point in your university experience, attendance is
purely optional. You should know by now, however, that if your work is unsatisfactory,
you will not pass this course—nor will you graduate!
HONOR CODE: Students are expected to live up to the letter and the spirit of the Honor
Code as it is outlined in the current Longwood Catalog.
GRADING: All five major components of the course must be completed in a satisfactory
manner in order to pass.
1. Professional Portfolio:
0 points
2. Thesis:
Thesis grading:
45 points
1 grammatical error
2 grammatical errors
3 grammatical errors
4 grammatical errors
-5 points
-10 points
-15 points
-35 points
3. Comprehensive Exam:
Exam grading:
45 points
90 – 100 %
80 – 89 %
Below 80 %
35 points
20 points
0 points
4. Oral Presentation:
10 points
Total:
=
=
=
100 points
A = 90 + points; B = 80 – 89 points; C = 70 – 79 points; D = 60 – 69 points
TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE, ACCORDING TO WEEKS IN THE
SEMESTER:
1. Introduction. Discussion of assignments and procedures: how the thesis is
prepared; topic delimitation, resources, methodology, and bibliography
2. Review of thesis topics; assignment of faculty tutors/readers
3. Methodology; library tour; advanced and traditional research methods
4. Formatting the thesis: media: disk copy, hard copy, video, photography, drawings,
renderings, Power Point, etc.
5. First Drafts due, including comprehensive bibliography
IF THE FIRST DRAFT IS NOT ON TIME YOU WILL LOSE THE 35
POINTS
6. Discussion of tutors’ comments, criticism, and notes
7. Theses due
IF THE THESIS IS NOT ON TIME YOU WILL LOSE THE 35 POINTS
8. Oral presentation of thesis
9. Portfolios and resumes due
10. Final corrected theses due
11. Final review for exit exam
12. Final review for exit exam
13. Final review for exit exam
14. Comprehensive exit examination (format T.B.A.)
Oral Communication Skills Component
Speaking modes and skills:
1. Reading of portions of the Senior Thesis
2. Presenting information (prospectus of Senior Thesis)
3. Presenting of resume and/or portfolio
Presentation Critique
Presenter:______________________________
Topic:_____________________________
Scale of measurement:
Scale of measurement:
Scale of measurement:
Scale of measurement:
Scale of measurement:
Excellent, the best possible
Good, to a large extent
Fair, average
Below average, lots of room for improvement
Poor
5
4
3
2
1
Criteria rate in each category from 5 to 1):
1. Established a warm, open and accepting atmosphere (I felt comfortable asking
questions)
2. The content and style was appropriate to the level and needs of the audience
3. Objectives were presented clearly and were more than just a task to do, but also
accomplished
4. Showed enthusiasm: the presenter obviously enjoyed the topic and wanted to
make sure you understood the topic
5. Knowledge of the subject
6. Organized, information flowed well, reflective of order of objectives, did not
seem rushed, amount of material was appropriate
7. Appropriate in answering questions, did not appear defensive
8. Mechanics of speech, modulating voice, making eye contact, volume, gestures
and movement about the room
9. Used instructional media appropriately and effectively
10. Handouts were appropriate, well constructed, and enhanced the content and
objectives (if used)
11. Assessment was appropriate, reflective of objectives
12. Closed the session appropriately
Additional comments