Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha and Number:
DRAM 101
Course Title:
Introduction to Drama &Theatre
Number of credits:
3
Date of Outline:
February 24, 2004
2. Course Description:
Treats representative plays from Aeschylus’
Agamemnon to Miller’s Death of a Salesman as
illustrative studies of changing forms in the
theatre and dramatic literature.
3. Contact Hours/Type:
3 hours/Lecture
4. Prerequisites:
ENG 22 with at least a C or placement at ENG
100, or consent.
Corequisites:
Recommended preparation:
Approved by
Date
5. General Course Objectives:
Students will write reviews, essays, critiques and biographical sketches on the people, places
and cultural forces shaping the world of theatre past and present. They will work individually
and collaboratively, discussing, analyzing and critiquing theatre performances from the past
and present. They will orally share their research on various theatre topics assigned by the
instructor. Students will attend live theatre performances and critiques various aspects of the
production.
6. Student Learning Outcomes:
For assessment purposes, these are linked to #7, Recommended Course Content.
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. organize trends in theatre movements;
b. demonstrate, both orally and in written reports, a clear knowledge of the historical and
cultural influences shaping today’s theatre world;
c. summarize, analyze and evaluate theatre performances according to Aristotle’s poetics;
d. gather information from various sources, including electronic; use it to formulate, develop,
and support critiques in formal reports and oral presentations;
e. work collaboratively on projects and presentations, both written and oral;
f. revise, edit, and proofread formal written assignments prior to submission.
7. Recommended Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic:
Linked to #6. Student Learning Outcomes.
2-4 weeks:
Discuss theatre overview from a cultural and historical
perspective (a, b, d, e)
1-2 weeks:
Plan, compose, and revise essay s on current trends in theatre (a)
2-4 weeks:
Plan, organize and write short reports (d, e, f)
1-2 weeks:
Present oral reports (e)
2-3 weeks:
Plan, write and revise critiques of live theatre performances (c)
1-2 weeks:
Orally present final projects (c, d)
8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, Auxiliary Materials and Content:
Appropriate text(s) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is being offered from
those currently available in the field. Examples include:
Text:
Theatre: 5th Edition by Robert Cohen
Materials:
Articles
Scripts
Handouts
other relevant materials provided by the instructor
Others:
Videotapes
Audiotapes
guest speakers
Internet sites
9. Recommended Course Requirements and Evaluation:
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the course is
offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to, the following:
20-40%
Writing assignments, including reviews and critiques
10-15%
Quizzes
15-20%
Tests
15-30%
Oral presentations
10-20%
Attendance & participation
10. Methods of Instruction:
Instruction methods vary with instructors; thus instructional methods will be at the discretion
of the instructor teaching the course. Techniques may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
instructor lectures;
guest lecturers;
class discussions;
films and video tapes;
audio presentations/computer presentations;
attendance at live performances;
individual, as well as group, oral presentations;
service learning, collaborative learning and experiential learning.