HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SYLLABUS
DRAM1351 CRN51457
Fall, 2011
FAC112, M6-10
INSTRUCTOR: Kathleen Knight
(713)718-6614 (713)718-6600 (832)752-3898
Kathleen.knight@hccs.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Acting 1 DRAM 1351
An introduction to the challenges of internal acting
techniques, the creation of visual images, reaction to
stimulus, vocal projection and articulation, physical
exercises for flexible body, improvisation, the creation of
the inner life of the character, and solo and scene work.
Theater attendance and/or assistance in college drama
productions required. 3 credits (2 lecture,2 lab). This is a
core curriculum course.
DRAM 1351 fulfills the basic intellectual competencies for
core courses including reading, writing, speaking, listening
critical thinking, and computer literacy.
RECOMMENDED TEXT: Acting One by Robert Cohen (fifth
edition)
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Identify discuss and practice the physical, intellectual and
psychological skills required to act in a stage production
Analyze your physical and voice type with the help of the
instructor
Define and apply theater terminology (mid-term exam)
Prepare, rehearse, and memorize two monologues and one
scene (with a partner)
One monologue will be chosen with one scene to be
performed as your final before an audience.
Break down the text, and score the movements to create a
convincing character
Exhibit clear and accurate vocal and movement skills using
text and gesture analysis
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Actively participate in class:
Attend 2 stage play productions and write a one page
(typed) critique with the program.
Memorize your monologues and scenes
Rehearse your scenes with your scene partner
Perform monologues and scenes for your final in Theatre
One before a live audience. This will be Dec. 12@ 7:00p.
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GRADING:
A = 90 -100
Play reports
20%
B = 80 -89
Class Participation
30%
C = 70 -79
Final Performance
50%
D= 60 – 69
F=
0 -50
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
Excessive absences (12.5%) can result in administrative
withdrawal or the student can withdraw with a “W”
grade. If the student wishes to withdraw, the deadline
for that is November 3 (4:30 P.M.) That can be
accomplished online without having to see a faculty
member. Faculty are no longer allowed to assist a
student by withdrawing the student at the student’s
request for reasons other than excessive absences.
When a student attempts an online withdrawal request,
he/she is referred to information that informs him/her
of possible consequences the student may encounter
through the withdrawal request. If a student is unable
to withdraw online (i.e.the online withdrawal transaction
was not allowed), the reason may be due to the student
exceeding the “6 Drop Rule,” or the reason may be that
the class is linked to another class in a co-requisite
circumstance. In such a case, the student should be
referred to counseling for advising. If the withdrawal is
allowable but not doable by the student online (such as a
learning community), registration staff may assist the
student in withdrawing the class for the student. If
action is not taken the result will be an “F” (poor
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performance) or the new final grade of “FX” to students
who stopped attending class. The instructor will not be
allowed the option of submitting a grade change form
changing the grade of “FX” (or “F”) to “W”, if the
student stopped attending class
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:
Houston Community College defines “scholastic
dishonesty” as: cheating on a test, plagiarism, and
collusion. Penalties for academic dishonesty at HCCS
include, but are not limited to, “O” on the test of
assignment in question, or “F” in the course.
DISABILITY DISCLAIMER:
Students who require reasonable accommodation for
disabilities are encouraged to call 713-718-6164 or FAX
(713) -718-6179 to make necessary arrangements.
Faculty only are authorized to provide accommodations
requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
INSURANCE DISCLAIMER:
The Fine Arts Department at Central College strongly
recommends that all HCCS students carry some form of
medical insurance to cover illness and injury, both on the
off campus. Information regarding low-cost health
insurance for students is available in the Fine arts office
regarding liability, accident or injury.
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CLASSROOM RULES:
No cell phones, gum chewing, excessive chatter, or
children in the classroom.
EVALUATION FOR GREATER LEARNING STUDENT
SURVEY SYSTEM – EGLS3
At Houston Community College, professors believe that
thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve
teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will
be asked to answer a short online survey of researchbased questions related to instruction. The anonymous
results of the survey will be made available to your
professors and division chairs for continual improvement
of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the
Houston Community College Student System online near
the end of the term. This will replace the paper SEOI,
Student Evaluation of Instruction.
COURSE DUPLICATION:
Students who repeat a course three or more times may
soon face significant tuition/fee increases a HCC and
other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask
me or a counselor about opportunities for tutoring or
other assistance prior to withdrawing from the course,
or if you are not receiving passing grades.
ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT:
Advisement concerning specific Fine Arts courses and
degree plans for Drama and Music) is available to you
during the academic semester. Please sign up in the Fine
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Arts office, FAC 101, to speak to a full time instructor
in your area of interest.
All students are encouraged to sign up for the Fine Arts
Newsletters:
www.centralfinearts.info
CLASS SCHEDULE AND CALENDAR:
AUG. 29 – Introductions, syllabi, warm-up exercises and
monologue assignments.
SEPT. 5 – Labor Day Holiday (No class!)
SEPT. 12 – Discussion of local theatre events, warmups, improvisation exercises, pass out the GOTE sheet,
Discuss character analysis. Begin monologues.
SEPT. 19 – MONOLOGUES MUST BE MEMORIZED AND
PERFORMED IN CLASS.
SEPT. 26 – Warm-ups, improvisation exercises, continue
monologues.
OCT. 3 – Announcements, discussions of productions,
warm-ups, second monologue assignments, performances
of monologes.
OCT. 10 – Announcements, warm-ups, discussing and
demonstrating “Learning the Lingo”, monologues.
OCT. 17 – MID TERM. Warm-ups,monologue
performances
OCT. 24 – Announcements, assign scenes.
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OCT. 31 – Halloween (We will have class) Begin scene
readings.
NOV. 7 – Announcements, warm-ups, character analysis,
Scenes.
NOV. 14 – Scene study
NOV. 21 – Scene performances
NOV. 28 – Monologue and Scene performances
DEC. 5 – Dress rehearsal for the final in Theatre One
DEC. 12 – FINAL performance in front of an invited
audience in Theatre One.@6:00. (Performance begins at
6:30) We will have furniture pieces, props, costumes,
and lighting. Please invite your friends and family ahead
of time and tell them to be punctual.
SEPT. 17 – AUDITIONS for the fall musical “The 25th
Annual Putnam Spelling Bee” will be held at 12:00 in
FAC111. You must be able to sing and act. Bring sheet
music to the audition and a resume if you have one. This
is a 3 hour course DRAM1320 second start.(You must
register for the class with a permission number)
Rehearsals are Tues-Thurs. from 6:30-9:30, and
Saturdays from 1-4. The first rehearsal begins on Sept.
27. Performance dates are Nov.10,11,& 12 @7:30 and
Nov. 17,18 @7:30 and Nov. 20 @2:30.
Have a great semester!
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