THEATRE 325 - SCRIPT ANALYSIS
Spring 2014
Instructor:
C. J. Keith
Phone:
619-594-4936
E-mail:keith@mail.sdsu.edu
Office:
DA 204
Office Hours: Wednesdays 11:00-12:00
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)
All My Sons by Arthur Miller
Doubt: a parable by John Patrick Shanley
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 time lines, 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 
Assignments
Specific assignments will be given in conjunction with the study of specific plays, please refer to
the Class Calendar.
If they are handed in on the day they are due, some (not all) assignments may be redone and
resubmitted for higher points. LATE assignments will receive fewer points than assignments
handed in on the due date, and may not be re-done.
Oral Reports and Character Presentations
Each student will prepare an oral report to be presented in class on a specified date. Topics and
dates will be handed out in class. Your report should be 5-10 minutes long and must be
accompanied by a PowerPoint (or other application) visual presentation.
Final Project
A significant part of your effort 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.
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.
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it
is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any
delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as
soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot
provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter
from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
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 and/or would like
clarification.
GRADING for Assignments, Projects, and Exams: 100 points
All My Sons
Timeline
10
Doubt: a parable
Core Action Statement
French Scene Chart
3
7
Lend Me A Tenor
Character Analysis
Fortunes Graph
5
5
Midterm
10
The Piano Lesson
Core Action Statement
Scene Analysis
3
7
Macbeth
Language/Imagery
10
Shakespeare In Love
Page to Screen
5
Class Report/Presentation
Final Project
Class Participation
93-100 = A
90-92 = A87-89 = B+
80-86 = B
77-79 = B-
74-76
67-73
64-66
61-63
53-60
10
20
5
100 points possible
= C+
=C
= C= D+
=D
50-52 = D-