GREAT BASIN COLLEGE
1500 College Parkway Elko, NV 89801
FALL, 2015
Theater 221: Introduction to Oral Interpretation, 3 credits
John Patrick Rice, Ph.D.
DIT 122
Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 2:30-3:30, Friday 11-12 and by appointment.
Contact: john.rice@gbcnv.edu 775.753.2240
Catalogue Description: An introduction to and practice of oral interpretation of literary and dramatic
works from Shakespeare to contemporary writers and poets. The course focuses on the vocal and
performance dynamics of performing literary and dramatic works. Using the principals of literary analysis
combined with the physical and vocal dynamics of speech, the class transports great works of literature
from page to stage.
Course Objective: Students will acquire the ability to clearly and effectively orally interpret and
communicate poetry, prose in individual and group performances.
Required Texts:
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The Penguin Anthology of 20th Century American Poets, edited by Rita Dove; Penguin
The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Short Stories, edited by Tobias Wolff; Vintage
Contemporaries
The Creative Habit, Twyla Tharp; Simon and Schuster
Learning Outcomes and Measurement:
Learning Outcomes
Recognize the relationship between the
experience of literature to personal
experience.
Ability to select appropriate prose and
poetry for individual and group
presentations.
Measurement
In-class workshop
activities.
Gen Ed Objective
 Personal and Cultural Awareness
 Critical Thinking
Oral presentation
assignments.
 Communication Skills
 Critical Thinking
 Personal Wellness
Ability to apply methods of written
literary analysis to poetry and prose
selections.
Recognize and appreciate the creative
process.
Written essay
assignments.
 Critical Thinking
 Technological Understanding
 Communication Skills
Weekly online discussion
of The Creative Habit
 Critical Thinking
 Personal and Cultural Awareness
Method of Instruction:
The course will be divided into four four-week units.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Unit One: Poetry
Unit Two: Prose
Unit Three: Group Presentations
Unit Four: Final Projects
Each unit will culminate with a formal presentation by the students.
The class is held in a “work-shop” format. That is, much preparation will take place outside of class and
students will present their work to small groups and to the class on a weekly basis. Weekly presentations
will be an opportunity for coaching and constructive criticism of students’ work by the instructor, fellow
students and self-evaluation.
Student success is measured by mastery of the elements of the course objectives and learning outcomes.
That mastery includes the student’s performance and participation in coaching and constructive criticism
of their own work and the work of their classmates. Regular class attendance is required.
Course Requirements:
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Regular, on-time arrival and class participation. Roll will be taken at each class. Any instances
where is student cannot or will not be able to participate must be reported to the instructor in a
timely way.
Four Individual and Group Presentations; one for each unit of the course.
1. Poetry
2. Prose
3. Group Presentations
4. Final Presentation
Regular weekly participation in online discussion of readings from The Creative Habit.
Written analysis essay assignments.
Group analysis presentation.
Grading Criteria
Student presentations will be graded in accordance to the course objectives and learning outcomes.
Generally speaking, student writing and presentation assignments will be graded on:



Student’s competence in:
 Ability to select appropriate, meaningful material.
 Summarize the selection either in writing or orally.
 Presentation with an entry-level of competence.
Vocal flexibility, including pitch, breath control, volume, enunciation and pacing.
Written and oral presentation of literary analysis, including identifying:
 Allegory
 Character
 Connotation
 Denotation
 Imagery
Grading is based on a percentage of total points possible.
20% - Online Discussion – 200 points
20% - Written essays – 200 points
60% - Presentations – 600 points
Grading Scale:






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A
AB+
B
BC
D
F
94-100%
90-93%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 60%
Point Values:
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




Online discussion: 12.5 points per week
Written Essays: 50 points each
Presentation 1: 100 points
Presentation 2: 150 points
Presentation 3: 150 points
Presentation 4: 200 points
COURSE SCHEDULE
(subject to modification)
Unit One, POETRY
Week One:
 Introduction to Class
 Sonnets assigned
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 1, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 From the PENGUIN ANTHOLOGY, choose seven poems for work.
 In-class work, coaching and criticism on chosen poetry and sonnet.
Week Two:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 2, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 In-class work, coaching and constructive criticism on chosen poetry.
Week Three:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 3, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 Choose two poems along with sonnet for Unit One FINAL PRESENTATION
o Writing Assignment: Written justification of choice of poetry.
 Criteria:
 Personal Connection
 Identify Allegory
 Character
 Connotation
 Denotation
 Imagery
Week Four:
 Reading Assignment: Chapter 4, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 POETRY & SONNET PRESENTATIONS TO CLASS and individual conferences with
professor.
Unit Two, PROSE
Week Five:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 5, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 From THE VINTAGE CONTEMPORARY, choose four short stories for work.
 In-class work, coaching and criticism on chosen prose.
Week Six:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 6, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 In-class work, coaching and constructive criticism on chosen prose.
o Select “cuttings” for presentation.
Week Seven:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 7, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 Choose TWO pieces of prose for Unit Two FINAL PRESENTATION
o Writing Assignment: Written justification of choice of prose.
 Criteria:
 Personal Connection
 Identify Allegory
 Character
 Connotation
 Denotation
 Imagery
Week Eight:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 8, The Creative Habit
 Online discussion of reading.
 PROSE PRESENTATION to class. Individual conferences with professor.
Unit Three, GROUP PRESENTATIONS
Week Nine:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 9, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 Group Assignments by professor.
o Choose eight new poetry selections and four new prose selections for group work. (None
of the selections can have been previously used by any member of the group.)
 In-class work, constructive criticism on group selections.
Week Ten:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 10, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 In-class work, constructive criticism on group selections.
o Select two poems and two pieces of prose for analysis and final presentation.
 Work on “cuttings” for selections.
Week Eleven:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 11, The Creative Habit
 Online Discussion of reading.
 Writing Assignment:
o GROUP ANALYSIS PRESENTATION
 Each group will prepare and present an oral presentation justifying their
selections. Groups are encouraged to use technology (power-points, etc.) in this
presentation.
 Criteria:
 Personal Connection
 Identify Allegory
 Character
 Connotation
 Denotation
 Imagery
 In-class work, coaching and constructive criticism.
Week Twelve:
 Reading Assignment, Chapter 12, The Creative Habit
 Online discussion of reading.
 GROUP PRESENTATIONS to class. Group conferences with professor.
Unit Four, FINAL PROJECTS: INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP
Week Thirteen
 Select one or two poems or one or two pieces of prose (for a total of THREE selections) for
individual presentation. These pieces may have been used earlier in the semester, or entirely new
selections can be made. Students will confer with professor on selections.
 Select one group piece, either poetry or prose. Students will confer with professor on the makeup
of their group and the group selection.
 Online discussion: Topic TBA
Week Fourteen
 Online discussion: Topic TBA
 Individual and group work, coaching and constructive criticism on selections.
Week Fifteen
 Online discussion: Topic TBA
 Writing Assignment:
o Written justification for selection of pieces (individual and group) for final project.
 Criteria:
 Personal Connection
 Identify Allegory
 Character
 Connotation
 Denotation
 Imagery
Week Sixteen
 FINAL PRESENTATIONS
General Education Objectives
Objective 1: Communication Skills – Strong

Communication is very important to this course, which studies and puts into practice oral and written
communication skills.
Learner Outcomes
Recognize the relationship of the experience of
literature with personal experience.
Select appropriate material for presentations.
Apply methods of literary analysis.
Measurements
In-class workshops and oral presentations.
Written essays and oral communications.
In-class workshops, written essays and oral
presentations.
Objective 2: Critical Thinking – Strong

The course requires a significant amount of critical analysis of literature and the student’s personal
relationship to a particular piece of literature.
Learner Outcomes
Select appropriate material for presentations.
Apply methods of literary analysis.
Measurements
Written essays and oral communications.
In-class workshops, written essays and oral
presentations.
Objective 3: Personal and Cultural Awareness – Strong

The course promotes an understanding of the role of individuals and groups in society through the lens of a
variety of literary sources. Additionally, the course requires effective group dynamics in order to
accomplish shared objectives.
Learner Outcomes
Recognize the relationship of the experience of
literature to personal experience.
Effectively work in a group to achieve a common
objective.
Measurements
Written analytical essays, in-class workshops and oral
presentations.
Group presentations.
Objective 4: Personal Wellness – Moderate

The course requires the effective use of the body, including breathing and movement. It requires a
moderate amount of physical exertion and a moderate level of fitness.
Learner Outcome
Use effective relaxation, breathing techniques and
movement techniques.
Measurement
In-class workshops and oral presentations.
Objective 5: Technological Understanding – Moderate

The course requires competency in operating word processing systems and presentation technologies.
Learner Outcome
Effective use of word processing systems.
Effective use of presentational technologies.
Effective use of online learning technology
Measurement
Written essays.
Oral presentations.
Weekly discussion posts.