KINGSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE
THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
2001 Oriental Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York 11235
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS & PERFORMING ARTS
SPEECH ARTS & SCIENCES
THEATRE ARTS
RADIO MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY
FILM STUDIES
MUSIC & MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
TELEVISION
SYLLABUS
Course Title:
History of the Theatre: Origins to Jacobean
Number:
THA 68
Credits/Hours:
3 credit /3 hours
Description:
A survey of the history of the theatre from primitive origins to
Jacobean times. Through the use of historical documents, contemporary writings,
and illustrations of architecture and costumes, the major periods of theatrical
history covered are seen from an artistic and cultural point of view. Theatre as a
cultural force set in it’s historical context is a major theme of this study. This
course is recommended for students interested in liberal arts, fine arts and
those interested in a professional career.
Textbooks:
Brockett, O. G., & F. J. Hildy. (2008). History of the theatre
(10th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Recommended texts:
Wilson, Edwin. & Alvin Goldfarb. (2003). Living Theatre: A
History. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Zarilli, Phillip B., McConachie, Bruce., Williams, Gary Jay., &
Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei. (2006). Theatre Histories: An
Introduction (1st ed.). New York: Routledge.
Prerequisite(s):
None
Majors:
Required for majors in the Theatre Arts Program
Selected Students: Open to all
Rationale:
This course allows students to explore the background of each
significant period in the development of the theatre. It is through this study that
students will learn to appreciate the power of theatre within its historical cultural
heritage. From early primitive ritual and religious ceremony the theatre as an
institution, as architecture, and, as drama evolved. Students will develop an
awareness of how religious, political, social, economic, and scientific conditions
helped shape theatrical production values. Events which gave raise to specific
kinds of dramatic literature and their style of production will be considered. In
addition, the fact that classical plays are constantly given productions provides a
“window” into the past. It is through this “window” that the human condition in our
historical past can be studied. Since the theatre is a highly complex performing
art this study provides unique perspectives of humanity.
Course Objectives:
1. To increase an awareness of the major historical periods in European and
World Theatre
2. To develop an understanding of how historical movements have influenced
theatre
3. To provide students with the knowledge of the theatre within a world
context
4. To relate the drama to actors, directors, and the production values of the
particular culture in history
Methods of Teaching:
Lecture; discussion; demonstration
Assignments for Students:
Readings
Research papers
Reports (library, museum, gallery)
Internet source listings
Method of Evaluation:
Critiques of oral reports
Written evaluations
Examinations
Topical Course Outline:
I. Origins of Theatre
a. Ritual
b. Shamanism
c. Storytelling
d. Ancient Egypt
II. Ancient Greece
a. Tragedy
b. Satyr Play
c. Comedy
d. Chorus/Actors
III. Roman and Byzantine
a. Festivals
b. Other entertainments
c. Structure
d. Decline of Theatre
IV. Medieval Theatre
a. Religious
b. Secular
c. Play genres
d. guilds
e. Interludes
f. Pageants
V. Italian Theatre
a. Renaissance
b. Neoclassical Ideal
c. Intermezzi and Opera
d. Scenic practices and architecture
e. Commedia dell’Arte
III. Elizabethan - Jacobean Theatre
a. Court productions
b. Public theatres
c. Private theatres
d. Masques
e. Shakespeare and his contemporaries
f. Jacobean dramatists
g. Government regulation
h. Acting troupes
Bibliography:
Appiah, Kwame Anthony, & Henry Louis Gates, Jr., eds. (1997). The
Dictionary of Global Culture. New York; Vintage
Banham, M, ed. (1995). The Cambridge guide to world theatre. Cambridge,
MA:
Carlson, M. (1989). Places of performances: The semiotics of theatre
architecture. New York: Cornell University Press
Carlson, M. (1993). Theories of the theatre: A historical critical survey from
the Greeks to the present (2nd ed.). New York: Cornell University
Press
Duerr, E. (1963). The length and depth of acting. New York: Holt, Rinehart &
Winston
Dukore B. F., ed. (1997). Dramatic theory and criticism: Greeks to Grotowski.
New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston
Gassner, J. & R. Allen, eds., (1964, revised edition col. 1, 1992). Theatre and
drama in the making 2 vols. Boston, MA: Applause Books.
Gerould, D. C.(1999). Theatre/theory/theatre: The major critical texts from
Aristotle and Zeami to Soyinka and Hevel. New York: Applause
Books.
Izenour, G. (1977). Theatre design. New York: McGraw Hill
Laver, J. (1951). Drama, its costume and decor. London: Studio Publications
Leacroft, R., & H. Leacroft (1984). Theatre and playhouses: An illustrated
survey of theatre building from Ancient Greece to the present day.
New York: Methuen.
Nagler, A. M. (1977). A source book in theatrical history. New York: Dover
Publications, Inc.
Nicoll, A. (1957). The development of the theatre (4th ed.). New York:
Harcourt, Brace and Company.
Tidsworth, S. (1973). Theatres: An architectural and cultural history. New
York: Praeger Publishing.
Traore, B. (1972). The black African theatre and its social functions. Trans.
By Dapo Adelugba. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
Tung, C., & C. Mackerras, eds. (1987). Drama in the People’s Republic of
China. Albany, New York: State University Press.