Core Course Review Documentation
Foundational Component Area: CREATIVE ARTS
Component Area Option? No
No – Cultural & Global Understanding
Yes – Undergraduate Inquiry & Creativity
Proposed Course: THEA 1103 Acting for Non-Majors
Credit Hours: 3
Proposed by: John Dement, Associate Professor of Theatre
Date: January 23, 2013
Please document how the proposed course meets each of the following requirements. (You
may provide a written explanation or copy and paste the appropriate information from the
syllabus.)
Content: Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts and
works of the human imagination.
 Acknowledge and appreciate the craft of acting as both an individual and collaborative art form
 Utilizing physical techniques as they relate to creating a character
 Utilizing vocal techniques as they relate to creating a character
 Developing sensory and imaginative skills as they relate to creating a character
 Utilizing the proper etiquette in the rehearsal and performance of a theatrical scene
 Mastering specific vocabulary needed for rehearsal and performance
 Understand the discipline and commitment required to be a professional actor
 Evaluating live theatrical productions in verbal and written formats
SKILLS: Courses involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable critical,
creative, and innovative communication about works of art.
 Demonstrate mental, emotional and physical comfort in performance
 Utilize the proper etiquette in the rehearsal and performance of a theatrical scene
 Communicate with their director and fellow actors efficiently
 Understand the discipline and commitment required to be a professional actor
 To recognize performance skills that can be synthesized into everyday life
 To attend and critically evaluate live theatrical productions in verbal and written formats
 Demonstrate teamwork by participation in performance projects with fellow students
 To employ critical thinking skills in the development and performance of a believable, dramatic
character
ASSESSMENT OF CORE OBJECTIVES: Assessments should be authentic, intentional and
direct. The following four Core Objectives must be addressed in each course approved to fulfill this
category requirement:
Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation
and synthesis of information
Event Critique
(Critical Thinking Skills)
Attend and evaluate, in written format, both semester productions of the Theatre
Department at Midwestern State University.
Criteria:
Part One: Introduction & Pre-show Experience
Paragraph One: Begin the paper with the name of the play, the playwright's name,
the name of the theatre you visited, the name of the theatre
company who produced the play, and the date of the performance
you attended. Then evaluate the experience leading up to the
performance as an audience member. This pre-show experience
includes calling and reserving tickets, but primarily begins when
you enter the parking lot to see the show.
Part Two: The performance experience. (What was attempted & was it
achieved?)
Paragraph Two: What was the play about? Be brief. This is not a retelling of the
story. This should lead into your evaluation of the actors. Using
the playbill to list the actor and character names, and using the
criteria we have covered in class, give two specific examples of
strong or weak performance work.
Paragraph Three: Evaluate the technical aspects. Did everything work as a whole, or
did a particular design/technical element stick out? Give two
specific examples.
Part Three: Your impression. (Was it worth doing?)
Paragraph Four: Was the play successful as entertainment? Defining
entertainment as “that which holds the attention," did the play
hold your attention? Did it keep you wanting to know what would
happen next? Give three specific examples of moments from the
show that did or did not keep your attention.
Part Four: Your conclusion.
Paragraph Five: Wrap up your paper with a strong conclusion that restates all the
information about the play from the introduction and tells me
clearly whether you liked the show and why you would or would
not recommend it to your friends.
Grading of the Project: Clarity and specificity of examples is paramount. Critical value
judgments, based on in-class lecture and discussion, must be strongly supported with
specific examples from the production the student attended.
Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas
through written, oral, and visual communication
Open Scene Project
(Communication Skills)
Memorize, prepare and perform an in-class scene using ambiguous dialogue (written text
with no obvious connection to actual events).
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After studying the dialogue, create a character, a setting and a dramatic problem to
be solved.
Working with various partners, as assigned during class sessions, rehearse and
perfect a dramatic scene, using the script, as written, and adding your imaginative
elements.
Structure your scene so that the characters, setting and dramatic problem are
clearly communicated to the audience.
Select a partner and work outside of class to perfect the scene for performance.
With your partner, perform the Open Scene in class.
Grading of the Project: Clear and efficient interpretation of the script, as well as the inclass work on characterization and setting, to communicate the dramatic problem to the
audience will be evaluated.
Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with
others to support a shared purpose or goal
First Scene Project
(Team Work)
Working with an assigned partner throughout the assignment period, analyze, interpret
and perform a scene from a full length play. This assignment will involve independent,
outside rehearsals and in-class work with the instructor.
With your scene partner:
 choose a scene from the list provided
 agree which character each of you is to play
 collaborate on the themes, character analysis and setting requirements to effectively
perform the scene
 agree upon an outside of class rehearsal schedule and meet regularly
 record progress on rehearsal reports that will be turned in after your performance
 meet in during class time to observe the work of other students and to work with
the instructor on your scene
 collect all needed items for final performance
 perform a final, graded performance in class for the instructor and classmates
Grading of the Project: Students will be graded on their teamwork as indicated in the final
performance of the assigned scene. Criteria will include preparedness, clear
communication (in performance) of objectives and character interaction. All areas of
presentation, as necessitated by collaboration (such as the balance and appropriateness of
costuming) will be evaluated.
Social Responsibility - to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the
ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
Second Scene Project
(Ethical Reasoning)
Working with an assigned partner throughout the assignment period, analyze, interpret
and perform a scene from a full length play. This assignment will involve independent,
outside rehearsals and in-class work with the instructor.
With your scene partner:
 choose a scene from the list provided
 building upon the criteria from the First Scene Project, focus on understanding and
developing the ethical and intellectual motivations of your character.
 identify the moral and ethical motivations for each character’s side of the dramatic
problem.
 in analysis and rehearsals, develop a performance that clearly communicates the
positive or negative implications of your character’s actions as they try to solve the
dramatic problem.
 collect all needed items for final performance
 perform a final, graded performance in class for the instructor and classmates
Grading of the Project: Students will be graded on their apparent understanding of the
intellectual, moral and ethical consequences of the choices their characters make.
Complexity and authenticity of the character portrayal will be evaluated.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Provide any additional information supporting course
inclusion in the core (optional).
PLEASE ATTACH THE FOLLOWING
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Syllabus
Assessment for Critical Thinking Skills
Assessment for Communication Skills
Assessment for Teamwork
Assessment for Social Responsibility