1
SCHEDULE: (Note: The schedule is subject to change at any time.)
Module 1: Introductions; Key Concepts
August 28
In class:
o We will introduce ourselves and discuss what this course is about.
o The professor will provide a tour of the Canvas course page, the syllabus, and assignment
instructions.
o The rest of the class will be left for any questions.
o We will start with a discussion of observations.
o The professor will present on griot storytelling, touching on the use of space, the role of
the storyteller, the significance for community, and the use of music in the tradition. This
is also an example of the presentations you will prepare in groups.
o We will go through instructions for group discussions.
o Review and questions.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #2, Ancient Greek Theatre.
2. Watch Antigone in Ferguson and Brian Doerries’s introduction to it.
3. Canvas Discussion #1: Your post should address the questions listed, but need only be
about 200 words or a list of up to 10 aspects. Please post by midnight on Wednesday.
4. Sign up for Group Discussion of Play and Group Discussion of Performance Tradition.
Module 2: Contemporary Adaptations of Ancient and Classical Drama
September 4
In class:
o Discussion of the key concepts in theatre and performance as connected to traditions and
theatre and performance today. For the meeting, prepare 1 discussion question you are
interested in.
o Discussion of the adaptations.
o Break-out groups: Where else do we see the ancient stories?
Homework:
1. Lecture #3: Elements of comedy and affect.
2. Read The Birds by Aristophanes. Group 1 to prepare discussion.
8/25/20
2
Module 3: Comedy and The Birds
September 11:
In class:
o Discussion of The Birds, comedy, affect and audiences, led by group.
o Presentation on masks and theoretical approaches to object performance.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #4: Ritual and Performance
2. Listen to Walter Beeman’s podcast on Ta’ziyeh.
3. Watch the video of Ta’ziyeh.
4. Canvas Discussion #2: Please post by midnight on Wednesday.
Module 4: Ta’ziyeh
September 18:
In class:
o Discussion on Ta’ziyeh led by group.
o Presentation on outdoor theatre spaces.
o Discussion.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #5: Medieval Theatre
2. Read Everybody.
Module 5: Morality plays: Everybody
September 25:
In Class:
o Discussion of Everybody led by group.
o Presentation of theatre machinery.
o Discussion.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #6: Shakespearean Adaptation and Object Performance
2. Watch Forced Entertainment’s Table-Top Shakespeare:
https://www.forcedentertainment.com/projects/complete-works-table-top-shakespeare-athome/
Note: There are different options for 9/24, 9/25, 9/26, 9/27, and 10/01.
3. Prepare your own mini-version of a table-top adaptation in groups of 2-3.
8/25/20
3
Module 6: Adaptations of Shakespeare
October 2:
In Class:
o Present mini-adaptations.
o Discuss the process.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #6: Japanese Theatre
2. Read Lady Aoi and The Mushrooms.
3. Watch videos on Noh and Kyogen.
4. Canvas Discussion #3. Please post by midnight on Wednesday.
Module 7: Noh and Kyogen
October 9:
In Class:
o Discussion on Lady Aoi and Mushrooms led by group.
o Presentation on Japanese influence in European theatre.
o Discussion of influence and appropriation.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #7: Chinese traditional theatre
2. Read Snow in Midsummer.
Module 8: China: Confucianism, Snow in Midsummer
October 16:
In Class:
o Discussion of Snow in Midsummer, led by group.
o Presentation on stage technology.
o Discussion.
o Group Projects set today.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #8: Spanish Golden Age Drama
2. Read Fuenteovejuna.
8/25/20
4
Module 9: Spanish Golden Age Drama
October 20: Note: today is the deadline for mail-in ballots to insure they are counted.
October 23:
In Class:
o Discussion of Fuenteovejuna, led by group.
o Presentation on Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz.
o Discussion.
o Group project order sign-ups.
Homework:
1. Prepare group projects.
Module 10: Group Projects
October 30:
In Class:
o Group Projects.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #9: Indigenous Performance Traditions.
2. Watch video on Rabinal Achi.
3. Read introduction to Rabinal Achi.
Module 11: Maya Rabinal Achi
November 3: Please vote.
November 6:
In Class:
o Discussion of Rabinal Achi, led by group.
o Presentation on contemporary Maya performance.
o Discussion.
o Subjects for individual research projects presented today.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #10 on Sanskrit Drama.
2. Read on Bharatanatyam.
3. Canvas Discussion #4. Please post by midnight on Wednesday.
8/25/20
5
Module 12: India: Bharatanatyam dance
November 13:
In Class:
o Discussion of Bharatanatyam, led by group.
o Presentation on makeup and music.
o Discussion.
o 1 Research Resource due today.
o Research questions reviewed today.
Homework:
1. Read Lecture #11: Voodoo and Women Power
2. Watch video on Gelede.
3. Canvas Discussion #5. Please post by midnight on Wednesday.
Module 13: Yoruban Gelede
November 20:
In Class:
o Discussion of Gelede, led by group.
o Presentation on Mami Wata.
o Discussion.
Homework:
Prepare final presentations of individual research projects.
Module 14: Final Presentations
December 5:
In Class:
o Final Presentations, round 1.
Module 15: Final Presentations
December 11:
In Class:
o Final Presentations, round 2.
8/25/20