THEATRE 325 - SCRIPT ANALYSIS
Spring 2016
Instructor:
C. J. Keith
Phone:
619-594-4936
E-mail:keith@mail.sdsu.edu
Office:
DA 204
Office Hours: call office phone to hear weekly hours
Theatre 325 is designed to provide you with various methods and tools for analyzing a script.
This course prepares you to analyze a work of dramatic literature in terms of its function on stage
but leaves to other courses (Acting, Directing, Design, Stage Management, etc.) the task of
actually implementing the possibilities discovered in your analysis.
Script analysis will be discussed from the point of view of potential directors, actors, stage
managers, and designers, though it is the director’s comprehensive understanding of a script that
will be the primary focus of the course.
Five plays and one screenplay will be read and discussed.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Keith, Script Analysis (customized packet, Aztec Bookstore)
Doubt: a parable by John Patrick Shanley
All My Sons by Arthur Miller
Lend Me A Tenor by Ken Ludwig
The Piano Lesson by August Wilson
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare In Love by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard
You are also required to attend one of the TFM Student Filmmakers Showcases and bring me
your ticket stub.
COURSE OUTCOMES
• Identify the components of classic dramatic structure
• Analyze a text for dramatic structure
• Identify the key elements of tragedy, dramatic, comedic, and farce genres of scripts
• Develop tools for understanding and analyzing a script including Timlines, French Scene
charts, and Fortunes Graphs
• Explore language and imagery as elements of storytelling
• Research historical and cultural backgrounds of assigned scripts
• Identify and discuss plot, character, theme, language, objectives, turning points and conflict in a
variety of script genres
• Apply script analysis tools to a full-length script or screenplay
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Participation
Thoughtful, articulate questions, opinions and ideas exchanged between you and your classmates
are an integral part of your learning experience. Discussion in class cannot be replaced by
reading or other outside work. Your participation will be a percentage of your semester grade.
More than two unexcused absences will affect your grade. Excused absences include medical
emergencies or appointments documented by a doctor’s note, and specific family emergencies.
Illnesses are to be called in to the instructor at: 619-594-4936. This is considered both
professional discipline and academic courtesy, and your instructor thanks you 
The University Policy File includes the following statement on Absence for Religious
Observances: By the end of the second week of classes, students should notify the instructor of
affected courses of planned absences for religious observances.
Instructors shall reasonably accommodate students who notify them in advance of planned
absences for religious observances.
Assignments
Specific assignments will be given in conjunction with the study of specific plays, please refer to
the Class Calendar.
Each student will prepare either an oral report or written research paper on one of the plays or
screenplay. Topics are in your Course Packet. Oral Reports should be 5-10 minutes long and
must be accompanied by a PowerPoint (or other application) visual presentation. Research
papers are approximately five pages long and should include pictures/visuals/photos.
Final Project
A significant part of your learning in this course will be directed toward your Final Project.
Please note that the Final Project may become an important part of your future work in Theatre
359 - Directing I. Your choice of play should suit the purposes of Script Analysis and Directing
I. In other words, I will not let you choose a play either too easy or too complex, nor unsuitable
in any other way for either class. Award-winning, or noteworthy, classic, published plays are
the strongest choices. I encourage you to consider contemporary plays, 1950-present.
A note about Plagiarism: Plagiarism, the use of another’s words and/or work without
appropriate sourcing or crediting, is a serious literary and academic offense. It will not be
tolerated in this class. The Theatre Department and the University supports and encourages the
use of the internet, books, articles, magazines, trade publications, etc., as tools for research, and
we hope you avail yourself of all these excellent resources. However, you must use standard,
accepted methods of citing works by others. If any of your research is found to be plagiarized,
you will receive an F for that entire project or assignment, and reported to the Center for Student
Rights and Responsibilities.
No exceptions.
I encourage you to talk with me about this if you have any questions or would like clarification.
GRADING for Assignments, Projects, and Exams: 100 points
Doubt: a parable
French Scene Chart
10
All My Sons
Timeline
10
Lend Me A Tenor
Character Analysis
Fortunes Graph
5
5
Midterm
10
The Piano Lesson
Scene Analysis
10
Macbeth
Language/Imagery
5
Shakespeare In Love
Page to Screen
5
Oral Report/Research Paper 10
Final Project
25
Class Participation
5
100 points possible
93-100 = A
90-92 = A87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B77-79 = C+
73-76 = C
70-72 = C67-69 = D+
63-66 = D
60-62 = D-
Important Note: The California Faculty Association is in the
midst of a difficult contract dispute with management. It is
possible that the faculty union will call a strike or other work
stoppage this term. I will inform the class as soon as
possible of any disruption to our class meeting schedule.