OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
GENERIC COURSE SYLLABUS
I.
Course
Prefix
HUM
II.
Course
Number
131
Course
Name
Introduction to Theater
Credit
Lecture
Lab
3
3
0
Prerequisites
None
III.
Course (Catalog) Description
Course offers an introductory survey of theater as a performing art form. Content
includes analysis of historical, social, aesthetic and technical aspects of traditional and
contemporary theatrical expression. This is an appreciation class, not a performance
class. IAI F1 907
IV.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, students will be able to:
A. Recognize the artistic and creative elements that contribute to a theatrical
production.
B. Acquire a working vocabulary of the elements of theater.
C. Thoughtfully appraise the quality and value of a dramatic production using
appropriate concepts and vocabulary.
D. Associate the development of theatrical style periods to their larger cultural, artistic
and historical contexts.
E. Identify the primary style periods of European theater history from the ancient
Greeks to contemporary American drama.
F. Acquire knowledge of multicultural and global theatrical forms.
G. Demonstrate knowledge of the participatory nature of theater-going, and an
understanding of the conventions of attending a performance.
H. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of script analysis.
I. Gain an overview of the role of technology and innovation in the development of
theater.
J. Recognize the philosophical and ethical issues raised in major works of theater.
K. Exhibit values related to teamwork and collaboration, fostered by the pedagogy of
shared-inquiry and critical dialogue appropriate to the humanities and philosophy.
COURSE SYLLABUS (GENERIC)
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HUM 131
V.
Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate
academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code
prohibits:
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cheating,
plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
helping others to cheat,
unauthorized changes on official documents,
pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s
policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against
you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the
assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office
of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
VI.
Outline of Topics
(This is a comprehensive outline of possible topics and is not intended to be
prescriptive. An instructor’s outline of topics or course schedule should specify the
dates when specific topics will be covered and other important dates such as exams and
paper deadlines. Instructors may take either an historical or topical approach to the
course.)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
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What is Theater?
The Basic Elements
The Role of the Audience
Theater Criticism
The Playscript
Theatrical Style
Theater of Ancient Greece
Theater of Ancient Rome
Medieval Theater Experience
Elizabethan and Shakespearean Theater
Italian Renaissance Theater
Commedia dell’arte
COURSE SYLLABUS (GENERIC)
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HUM 131
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
U.
V.
W.
X.
Y.
Z.
AA.
BB.
CC.
DD.
EE.
FF.
GG.
HH.
II.
JJ.
KK.
French Neoclassicism and Moliere
Restoration Theater
Romanticism and Melodrama
19th Century Realism and Ibsen
Modernism in the Theater
Symbolism, Expressionism, Epic Theater and other Modernist Trends
New Design Concepts: Appia and Craig
Development of Theater in America
Post-WWII Theater
Psychological Realism: Tennessee Willams and Arthur Miller
Absurdism and Samuel Beckett
Decentralization and Subsidization
Musical Theater
Contemporary Theater Forms
Postmodern Theater
Diversity in the Theater (African American Theater, Feminist Theater, etc.)
New Playwrights and Directors
World Theater
Asian Theater
African Theater
South and Central American Theater
Theatrical Production
Playing Spaces
Production Design (Scene, Lighting, etc)
Acting
VII. Methods of Instruction
Course may be taught as a face-to-face, media-based, hybrid, or online course.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Lectures and discussion
Attendance at live theater productions
Small group work
Films
Student presentations and debates
Guest Speakers
Field trips
VIII. Course Practices Required
Please include information here about all expectations you have for your students regarding
behavior, work, etc. The following are sample course practices you may wish to cover.
Please be aware that you must require students in this course to produce at least 15 pages of
critical written assignments over the course of the semester, which should account for at least
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COURSE SYLLABUS (GENERIC)
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HUM 131
one third of the final course grade. These may be assigned in a variety of ways including
journals, response papers, field trip projects, etc.
The syllabus should include information regarding:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Standards for written work
Quizzes/Exams
Participation
Individual or group presentations
Essays
Final Project
Special policies about make-up exams, late papers, or other matters of concern
IX. Instructional Materials
Note: Current textbook information for each course and section is available on Oakton’s
Schedule of Classes.
It is recommended that Instructors select a primary text along with a short anthology of plays
representing primary theatrical style periods. Appropriate texts include:
The Essential Theatre, Brockett/Ball, 9th Ed., Harcourt Brace pub.
Plays for the Theatre, Brockett/Ball, 9th Ed., Harcourt Brace pub.
The World of Theatre by Mira Felner and Claudia Orenstein
Theatre by Robert Cohen, 8th Ed, McGraw-Hill pub
Eight Plays for Theatre, 8th Ed, McGraw-Hill pub.
Selected handouts an in-class video presentations
X.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
(In this section, please present the percentages or point breakdown for all the elements
of the final grade. Please note that at least 40% of the grade must be based on written
work rather than exams, presentations, etc.)
For example:
Quizzes/Exams…..40 points
Journals/Essays…..40 points
Final Project………10 points
Attendance and Participation…..10 points
Grading Scale. 90% - 100% = A // 80% - 89% = B // 70% - 79% = C // 60% - 69% = D
// below 60 = F
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COURSE SYLLABUS (GENERIC)
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HUM 131
XI. Other Course Information
A. Disabilities
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be
entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request
accommodations or services contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at the
Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential course
requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course
or degree program.
B. Discrimination
The Oakton Community College Catalog states:
Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in
admission to and participation in its educational programs, activities and services, or
employment practices. The College does not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual
assault by or of its students or employees.
In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of us
(myself included) should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all ideas
expressed in class, especially those that are different from our own, without attacking
or demeaning the people who have those views. We should also strive to avoid using
insulting terms or telling offensive jokes when talking to or about individuals or groups.
C. Instructor information
Office and office hours:
Phone:
Email and website:
Approval Dates:
(Faculty: Do not include the following information on your individual syllabi created for class
distribution.)
Effective beginning term:
Fall 2013
Ending term:
Syllabus prepared by: Hollace Graff
Date: March 2006
Revised by:
Date: June 2010
Kathleen Carot
Reviewed by Chair:
Hollace Graff
Date: July 2010
Approval by Dean:
Linda Korbel
Date
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June 2013