Kaskaskia College
DRMA 210 Theatre History
T & Th 12:30-1:45
L 218
Instructor: David Quinn
Office: HB 206
Phone: 545-3379
Email: dquinn@kaskaskia.edu
Office Hours: TBA
1. TEXTBOOK
Living Theatre: History of Theatre, 6th Edition
by Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb
2. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This theatre course examines the history of the theatre from the classical Greek period
through the present day. This course will look at many elements of theatre including
performances, stage design, costumes, masks, acting, and playwrights.
3. COURSE OBJECTIVES
The student is expected to:
 Demonstrate a working knowledge of the evolution of western theatre.
 Be aware of the elements of theatrical performance and productions and their
development through history.
 Be able to research and write effectively about a major theatre history topic.
 Study, analyze, and appreciate other cultures and their theatrical development.
4. INSTRUCTOR POLICIES
All formal assignments are due on the assigned date and must be typed. In class
assignments, note cards, discussions, and group presentations that are missed cannot be made
up and no credit can be earned, unless arrangements prior to the absence are communicated
to the instructor. Please make sure that you are aware of the due dates for the assignments
and tests. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to discover what you missed from one of
your classmates.
ATTENDANCE at all class meetings is expected of all students. An essential part of any
course offering is the classroom experience. Therefore, excessive student absences will have
a detrimental effect on learning and grades. Excessive absences are defined as more than
twice the number of weekly meetings. Students with excessive absences will fail the
course. Students who arrive late are a disruption to the instructor and other students. Please
arrive to class on time. Do not use cell phones, I-Pods, or headphones in class. Do not
text in class. Do not use lap tops in class. Do not work on homework for other classes
in this class. Do not sleep in this class. Do not talk to other students during speeches
and lectures. You will be dropped from class if you do not follow these guidelines.
5. STUDENT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
There will be four exams that will include essay questions.
You will prepare two essays on different periods of theatre history.
Students will have a grade penalty for any late work.
6. GRADING SYSTEM
Grades will be assessed on a point system. This is enumerated below.
Exam I
100 pts
Exam II
100 pts
Exam III
100 pts
Exam IV
100 pts
Essay I
100 pts
Essay II
100 pts
Class Participation
100 pts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total Possible Points
700 pts
Final Grades:
A
B
C
D
F
630-700
560-629
490-559
420-489
0-419 or excessive absences
7. EXAMS
Exam I: chapters 1, 2, 3, 5
Exam II: chapters 6, 7, 9
Exam III: chapters 10, 11, 12
Exam IV: chapters 13, 14, 15, 16
All exams will contain multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions.
8. Theatre History Essays
There will be a handout for each of the essays. Each essay will focus on either one period of
theatre history, or will compare two periods of theatre history. The length of each essay will
be a minimum of 1,000 words.
9. SPECIAL NOTE ON POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
In this syllabus you are presented with a number of rules and regulations. Most students
have a negative first reaction to lists of rules, but keep in mind that there are several
important reasons for including policies and rules within a college course. First of all, rules
provide for greater FAIRNESS in the course. All students are subject to the same
procedures. Secondly, rules provide greater CLARITY. Each student has a clearer
understanding of what is and is not acceptable within the framework of the course. And
lastly, demonstrating the ability to adapt to rules is an EDUCATIONAL GOAL. More and
more employers view a college degree as evidence that the student has acquired specific
skills that will be applicable to his/her job. Being able to follow rules and accepting the
consequences of not following those rules are both very high on any employer’s list of skills.
10. COURSE OUTLINE
Below is the tentative calendar and sequence of information that will be covered in class.
Changes in this schedule may occur and will be announced in class.
Week 1
Introductions and syllabus review
Chapter 1 – Theatre: It’s Origins and History
Week 2
Chapter 2 – Greek Theatre
Tragic Playwrights, Festival of Dionysus, The Chorus, Aristotle
Week 3
Chapter 3 – Roman Theatre
Plautus and Terrence, Roman Tragedy, Fall of the Empire
Week 4
Chapter 5 – Medieval Theatre
Liturgical Drama, Cycle Plays, Morality Plays,
Review for Exam I
Week 5
Exam I
Chapter 6 – Italian Renaissance
Opera, Commedia dell’Arte, Proscenium Stage
Week 6
Chapter 7 – English Renaissance
Shakespeare, Marlowe, The Globe Theatre
Week 7
Chapter 9 – French Neoclassical Theatre
Neoclassicism, Corneille, Racine, Moliere
Week 8
First essay due for full credit
Review for Exam II
Exam II
Week 9
Chapter 10 – English Restoration
Restoration Comedy, Actresses, The Drury Lane Theatre
Week 10 Chapter 11 – Eighteenth Century
Middle-Class Tragedy, Sturm and Drang, Melodramas, David Garrick
Week 11 Chapter 12 – Theatre 1800-1875
The Well Made Play, Acting Styles, Actor-Managers, The Box Set
Week 12 Review for Exam III
Exam III
Week 13 Chapter 13 – Theatre 1875-1915
Ibsen, Realism, Stanislavski, Theatre Libre, Moscow Art Theatre
Week 14 Chapter 14 – Theatre 1915-1945
Expressionism, Epic Theatre, Brecht, Pirandello, Eugene O’Neill
Week 15 Chapter 15 – Theatre 1945-1975
Absurdism, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Musical Theatre
Second essay due for full credit
Week 16
Chapter 15 – Contemporary Theatre
Theatrical Diversity, August Wilson, David Mamet, Stephen Sondheim
Review for Exam IV
Week 17 Exam IV – check final exam schedule for day and time
11. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:




Explain the evolution of western theatre
Explain the elements of theatrical performance and productions
Write an effective research essay on major theatre history topics
Appreciate and understand theatre development in other cultures
COLLEGE POLICIES AND INFORMATION
CLASS DROP/WITHDRAWAL
The student is responsible for officially dropping or withdrawing from a class according
to procedures described in the college catalog and student handbook.
Dropping a class: Students may drop a class without the class becoming part of their
permanent academic record if they do so during the “drop” period and will receive a full
refund of tuition and fees. The length of the drop period will vary based on the length of
the course. Students may drop online through CampusNet or by completing a form in the
Admissions and Registration Office or at any Education Center. Refer to the
Registration Calendar posted in CampusNet for dates or contact the Admissions and
Registration Office at 618-545-3040.
Withdrawing from a class: Students may withdraw from a class after the drop period and
receive a “W” grade on their academic record that will not affect their grade point
average at KC. You will not be eligible for a refund. Students may withdraw online
through CampusNet or by completing a form in the Admissions and Registration Office
or at any Education Center. Failure to officially withdrawal from a class may result in an
“F” grade. All withdrawal requests must be filed no later than two weeks prior to the end
of any regular length semester (one week for the summer semester and 8-week courses)
or the proportionate time thereof for other length courses. For specific dates, contact the
Admissions and Registration Office at 618-545-3040.
Please keep in mind that dropping or withdrawing from a class can affect your financial
aid for the active and future semesters. Please contact the Financial Aid office at 618545-3080 to find out how dropping a class may impact you.
INCOMPLETE GRADE
The grade of Incomplete or “I” is given at the instructor’s discretion. It is normally given
when a student has been actively engaged in the class, but missed work or a test due to
illness or excused absences. A maximum of one semester or less, at the option of the
instructor, is the time allotted to make up the incomplete work. If, after this time, the
coursework is not completed satisfactorily the “I” is recorded as an “F.” In most cases,
students should have successfully completed 75% of the course requirements to be
eligible for an “I.” This process is initiated by the student and at the instructor’s
discretion. Students should not except to be issued an “I” without facilitating the
appropriate paperwork with the faculty member.
CLASS CANCELLATIONS
Class cancellations due to inclement weather will be posted on the College Website:
www.kaskaskia.edu, KC’s Facebook page, and CampusNet; announced on local area
televisions stations and radio stations, recorded on the KC main campus voicemail
greeting, and sent to the student’s KC email account and via text message if the student
has opted into the KCAlert system.
KC ALERTS
The intent of this service is to notify students, staff, and faculty by email or text message
on their cell phone, of campus closures for weather and/or other emergencies and class
cancellations. This is an opt-in service provided by Kaskaskia College. While there is no
direct cost for signing up for this service, you may be charged a text message fee by your
cell phone provider. Please check your cell phone plan to understand the costs you may
incur using this service. All users who sign up for this service will receive
announcements regarding campus closures for weather and other emergencies, test
messages to validate the service is working and notification when your account is about
to expire. All accounts will expire after August 1st. To opt into this service follow the
link http://www.kaskaskia.edu/Admissions/KCALERT.aspx.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Acts of Academic Dishonesty include: plagiarism, preparing work for another that is to
be used as that person’s own work, cheating by any method or means, knowingly and
willfully falsifying or manufacturing scientific or educational data and representing the
same to be the result of scientific or scholarly research, knowingly furnishing false
information to a college official relative to academic matters, and solicitation, aiding,
abetting, concealing or attempting conduct in violation of this code. Sanctions for
academic dishonesty are at the discretion of the instructor and subject to appeal as
provided in the Student Code of Conduct. A complete explanation of this policy and
procedures as well as information about student’s rights and responsibilities are located in
the Policy and Procedures and Student Conduct sections of the current Student
Handbook.
COPYRIGHT
The College requires that students know and follow the rules and laws associated with
copyright. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair
use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil
penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under college policies. To
help you familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the college encourages
you to visit the linked web pages for more information on copyright:
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf and
http://www.copyright.com/content/cc3/en/toolbar/education/resources/copyright_basics1.
html
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE/CERTIFICATE STUDENT
Each student will be certified for graduation in degree and/or certificate programs
according to the requirements specified in the Kaskaskia College catalog at the time of
the student’s initial enrollment if graduation requirements are met within a five-year
period. Refer to the college catalog for specific requirements for graduation. It is
recommended that students file the application for graduation prior to their last term of
enrollment.
Graduation application deadlines are as follows:
SPRING April 1
SUMMER July 1
FALL December 1
DISABILITY SERVICES
Kaskaskia College provides support services and accommodations for students with
documented disabilities. A disability can include physical, mental, psychological or
learning limitations. The College is committed to compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. For further information,
please contact the Disability Services Coordinator at 618- 545- 3184.
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER/COMMUNITY RESOURCES
The Student Success Center offers services to enhance student success. Professional and
peer tutors are available for some courses by appointment; however, walk-ins are
welcome. The Student Success Center also offers proctored testing (as allowed by your
instructor) for make-up exams and proctored online exams. In addition, the staff of the
Student Success Center works closely with the Disability Services Coordinator to assist
students who receive ADA accommodations. If you need assistance with personal issues
outside of campus services, a copy of the Community Resources document is available in
the Success Center.
Call 618-545-3160 to schedule a tutoring or testing appointment. Fall and Spring
Semester Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES/SAFETY
The central Safety and Security desk is located at the main entrance of the HB Building.
Each classroom and main entrance contains a campus map outlining procedures that
include fire escape routes, first aid kits, AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
locations, tornado shelter areas, and evacuation meeting areas. In the event of an
emergency a detailed announcement will be made over the campus-wide PA system.
Other methods of disseminating information include the College website, KCTV, and KC
Alerts.
COLLEGE ACTIVITIES/RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Students faced with planned absences that include: college sponsored athletic events,
college sponsored club events, or schedule conflicts with religious observances should
make prior arrangements with the instructor a minimum of seven school days in advance
of the absence.
STUDENT EMAIL
Kaskaskia College assigns an email account to all students consisting of an official
college email address with a domain name of @students.kaskaskia.edu. All official
communications will be emailed to these addresses. Email services are included in the
Use of Computing and Network Facilities Policy; therefore students are advised that
electronic data (and communications using the college network for transmission or
storage) are the property of the college and may be reviewed and/or accessed by
authorized college officials for purposes related to college business. Kaskaskia College
has the right to expect all students to check their official email account on a frequent
basis and read their emails in a timely fashion in order to remain informed of official
college communications which may contain time sensitive information or affect day-today activities. Student email accounts are web accessible. Students who are not in
possession of a home computer, or do not have access to a computer at work, can use
computers available in the computer labs at the main campus and all education centers.
DRMA 210 – THEATRE HISTORY
SYLLABUS AGREEMENT
IMPORTANT:
After you read and understand the above guidelines, read the following statement. Print THIS
PAGE ONLY and bring in the printed copy our next class meeting.
I have read, understood, and agree to abide by the above mentioned guidelines for DRMA 210 –
THEATRE HISTORY with Professor Quinn. I understand the academic integrity policy and the
consequences for violating the policy. I also understand that it is my responsibility to withdraw
or drop this course if I choose not to complete it. Failure to do so will result in my being charged
for the course.
Student: ________________________________________ Date: ________________________