THTR 100 – Introduction to Theatre
Great Basin College
Spring, 2015
Instructor: John Patrick Rice, Ph.D.
Email: john.rice@gbcnv.edu
Phone: 775-753-2240
Office Hours: Fridays, 8-1 or by appointment throughout the week
Meeting Time: ONLINE
Location: ONLINE
Course Catalogue Description:
A survey of the basic principles, facts, and theories providing an understanding of
the art of theatre. Course also includes a special focus on the practical technical
aspects of the theatre and on live theatre experiences.
Required Texts and Materials:


Theatre: Brief Version. 10th edition. Robert Cohen
Access to several movies, available through services such as NETFLIX and GBC
Library resources
Learning Outcomes and General Education Objectives:
General Education Objectives:

Communication Skills – Strong
o Learning Outcomes
 Students will be enabled to participate fully in online class
discussions.
 Students will be enabled to write thoughtful analysis of course
content and theatre experiences.
 Students will be enabled to participate in thoughtful
conversation regarding an experience in the theatre.
 Students will be enabled to write thoughtful midterm and final
projects demonstrating their understanding of the subject
matter and in conformance with academic standards.
o Measurement of Outcomes
 Online participation and assignment responses
 Content and organization of written assignments in MLA or
APA format.
 Content and organization of Midterm and Final Projects in MLA
or APA format.

Critical Thinking Skills – VERY Strong
o Learning Outcomes
 Students will be enabled to analyze and critique plays, their
structure, and identify important narrative and story-telling
elements.
 Students will be enabled to critically analyze and discuss the
effectiveness of the elements of a theatre production.
 Students will be enabled to distinguish between personal
opinion and critical analysis of a theatre production.
o Measurement of Outcomes
 Content and organization of written assignments in MLA or
APA format and in accordance with the listed learning
outcomes.

Quantitative Ability – Moderate
o Learning Outcomes
 Students will be enabled to support statements made in online
responses and discussions and in project assignments with
cited material.
o Measurement of Outcomes
 Content and organization of written assignments in MLA or
APA format and in accordance with the listed learning
outcomes.

Reasoning and Independent Thought – Strong
o Learning Outcomes
 Students will be enabled to view a play critically, considering
all elements and create a critical argument regarding a
production’s merits.
 Students will be enabled to analyze and evaluate all elements
of a theatre production and formulate a critical discussion of a
productions strengths and weaknesses.
o Measurement of Outcomes
 Content and organization of assignments in MLA or APA format
and in accordance with objective outcomes.

Personal and Cultural Awareness – Strong
o Learning Outcome
 Students will be enabled to critically discuss and support their
opinions and values along with the opinions and values of
others in regards to material presented in a theatre
production.
o Measurement of Outcomes
 Content and organization of online discussion and responses
and assignments in MLA or APA format and in accordance with
objective outcomes.
Expected Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following
skills:
1. Identify all of the personnel required to stage a successful theatre
production.
2. Explain how each job/role functions
3. Identify theatrical elements and speak to they contribute to the telling of a
story.
4. Identify theatrical genres and their roots.
5. Distinguish personal opinion of the merits of a theatre production from an
objective and well supported analysis and discussion.
Methods of Instruction:






Reading assignments
Research activities and/or discussions
Viewing of films/plays
Written online responses to viewings & discussion questions
Quizzes
Written midterm and final project
Delivery of Instruction:
Online
Academic Honesty Statement:
Great Basin College considers academic honestly one of its highest values. A student who
obtains academic credit for work that is not the product of his or her own effort is being
dishonest and undermining the academic integrity of the college. Students are expected to
be the sole authors of their work. Use of another’s ideas must be accompanied by specific
citation and reference. In addition, a learner may not submit the same work for credit in
more than one course. The disciplinary consequences of plagiarism and other forms of
academic dishonesty include non-acceptance of work submitted (failure of the assignment), a
failing grade in the course, and/or other disciplinary action as outlined in Great Basin
College’s Student Conduct Policy.
Copying a performance from a movie or DVD is a form of plagiarism. Please use your own
creativity.
ADA Statement:
Great Basin College is committed to providing equal education opportunities to qualified
students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including
the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Students with
Disabilities Office, located in Berg Hall, will assist qualified students with disabilities in
securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. For
more information or further assistance, please call 775.753.2271.
If this applies, please provide me with the appropriate documentation during the first week
of class.
Participation and Attendance:
Classroom Policies:
All online discussions will take place in a civil and productive manner and in accordance with
the standards set in the GBC Student Handbook and Course Catalogue.
Students are expected to participate fully in discussions, responding to the discussions
posted by all of their classmates and the instructor.
Specifically in regards to THTR 105:
Late Assignment Policy:
Late assignments will not be accepted. Please contact me as soon as possible regarding a
conflict that you may have with the schedule.
Graded Activities:
Online discussion participation: (31.25 points per week/16 weeks)
Quizzes (Five @ 50 points each)
Mid-term Project
Final Project
500 Points
250 points
250 points
500 points
Total Points
1500
Total Possible Points: 1000
Grade Scale:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
95-100%
90-94%
87-89%
84-86%
80-83%
77-79%
74-76%
70-73%
67-69%
64-66%
DF
60-63%
Less than 60%