SYLLABUS
Introduction to Theatre – THTR 1009, section 004 - Fall 2009
Instructor: Emily K. Harrison, MFA; TA: Nathan Stith
Email: emily.harrison@colorado.edu
Email: nathan.stith@colorado.edu
Office Hours: Tu 10-11, Th 12:15-1:15 or by appointment
Credit: 3 hrs
Meeting: Tu/Th
11-12:15, HLMS 252
Final Exam: 12/12 7:30-10 p.m.
Course Objectives:
We will develop the skills, knowledge, and perspectives that will enable us to become more articulate
and informed spectators of theatre. This will be accomplished through:
 A study of theatre’s history and theory.
 A study of the manner in which culture both informs and is influenced by theatre.
 A study of the elements generally found in theatre (script, acting, lights, costumes, set, etc.)
 A study of the artists who create those elements (director, actor, designer, playwright).
 An ongoing discussion of how theatre reflects and influences the world we live in today.
Texts:
Texbook:
The Theatre Experience by Edwin Wilson – Eleventh Edition – ISBN: 978-0-07-338214-2
Plays:
Medea by Euripides - ISBN: 0-486-27548-5
Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, translated by John Robin Baitz - ISBN: 978-0-8222-1861-6
Machinal by Sophie Treadwell - ISBN: 1-85459-211-4
Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello - ISBN: 0-486-29992-9
How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel - ISBN: 978-0-8222-1623-0
Top Dog/Underdog by Susan Lori Parks - ISBN: 978-0-8222-1983-5
Grading Scheme: Grades will be posted as promptly as possible throughout the semester on CU Learn.
Due to the large size of the class, papers will take longer to hand back, but your scores for tests and quizzes
will show up online more quickly.
Ten 10-point attendance activities
Three 150-point exams
Three 150-point papers
Total
100 points
450 points
450 points
1000
points
Grades will be calculated according to the number of points earned as follows:
940-1030 = A
900-939 = A-
870-899 = B+
840-869 = B
800-839 = B-
770-799 = C+
740-769 = C
700-739 = C-
670-699 = D+
640-669 = D
600-639 = D-
599 and lower = F
Teaching Methods:
Teaching methods include, but are not limited to, lecture, large/small group discussion and activities, video
viewing, and practical experience and application of ideas.
Class Activities, Discussion, and Participation:
Participation is an essential part of this course. You are required to be prepared for and be an active
participant in class. Much of this class relies on student involvement. If you are not volunteering, you may
be volunteered. Students who are late to class disrupt participation.
Attendance Activities:
Over the course of the semester, there will be a total of 11 attendance activities. These may include pop
quizzes or other activities which require your presence. It is very important, therefore, that you attend
class regularly. Your lowest score among these quizzes will be dropped, meaning that you will receive
credit for 10 of 11 activities.
Exams:
There will be four exams in this class. The lowest score of the four will be dropped. Because of this,
there will be no makeup exams. If you miss one, consider that your dropped grade. The exams will cover
readings and lectures, in class discussions and viewed performances. All exams will be taken on Scantron
sheets. I will provide the Scantron sheets but it is your responsibility to bring a sufficient number of sharp
#2 pencils with erasers.
Papers:
Your class fees for this course include the cost of tickets to see three of our university productions. You will
write a paper for each play, so plan ahead now so that your schedule allows for you to attend. I encourage
you to pick up tickets for all three performances as soon as possible as you are not guaranteed a seat
without first securing a ticket for a specific performance for each play.
The plays and performance dates are as follows:
-The Blind – September 17-20 – The Loft Theatre
-The Visit – October 1-3, 7-11 – University Theatre
-The Philistines – November 5-7, 11-15 – University Theatre
Details regarding the content expectations for your papers will be given prior to the first performance. All
papers will be due at the beginning of class. Papers must be submitted as hard copies; I do not accept
electronic copies. Papers submitted after the end of class the day they are due suffer a 10% deduction for
each day, beginning with the day the paper is due.
All shows take place in the University Theatre Building (directly across from Old Main). For more
information about these shows and the department, visit the department website at
www.colorado.edu/TheatreDance
You must go to the Theatre & Dance Department Box Office (located downstairs in the University Theatre
Building) with your student ID to pick up your tickets. Box Office hours are 12:00-4:00p, Tuesday through
Saturday. It is very important that you pick up your tickets early, particularly for The Blind, which plays in
the small Loft Theatre and is therefore likely to sell out fast.
Extra Credit:
You can earn up to 30 additional points by attending 1-2 of the additional performance events listed below
and writing a one-page response (worth up to 15 each points):
o Clare Chafee's Why We Have a Body: square product theatre. October 9-24 (Thursday –
th
Saturday at 7:30 p.m.) at the Dairy Center in Boulder (26 between Canyon and Walnut).
Tickets for students are $15 but Thursday shows are $7.50 if you go with another person (2for-1). Tickets available for purchase in person at the Dairy box office, at www.thedairy.org
or 303/444.SEAT. for more info: www.squareproducttheatre.org
o Charles Mee's Big Love: Aluminous. 8 p.m., October 29 & 30 @ Naropa’s Performing Arts
Center, 2130 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder and November 6-21 (Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m.)
at Bindery | Space 2180 Stout St., Denver. Tickets for students are $12. For more info:
www.biglovecolorado.com
o Universes Ameriville: Curious Theatre Company. November 14-December 5 (ThursdaySaturday evenings, Sunday matinees) at the Acoma Center: 1080 Acoma St., Denver, CO.
Tickets for students are $18-37. For more information: www.curioustheatre.org
Extra Credit Projects must be chosen from this list; do not expect to receive credit for a production
not listed above. All extra credit responses must have the production program stapled to the back.
All extra credit projects must be submitted by the last day of class, December 10.
Attendance:
I will not regulate your attendance in class with a daily role call and attendance grade. However, your
attendance in class is the primary way for you to ensure yourself a better shot at a good grade. Course and
lecture content is not limited to the textbook and I do not post my lectures online or send notes via e-mail,
so the easiest and best thing you can do for yourself is be in class each day. If you fall incredibly ill, go see
a doctor from whom you can procure a note deeming you too ill to attend classes. We can then discuss
accommodations, but I cannot make accommodations without a note from a physician.
In the event of an excused absence, you remain responsible for: 1) contacting me immediately (especially
for planned excused absences, such as absences required for sports team members) and 2) all work
missed, including rescheduling exams, make-up assignments, etc. All absent students are expected to
maintain proper notes, information, announcements, etc., from class members who were in attendance.
No make-up quizzes, exams, or in-class written work will be given or accepted without a documented
excuse. (Please see the current Undergraduate Catalog for appropriate excused absences.)
Assigned/Written Work:
Assignments submitted late will receive a deduction in score unless the course instructor has given
approval in advance. All written work (aside from that done in class) must be typed or it will not be
accepted. All papers should be free of spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors. The grade of the
paper will suffer if it is not properly proofread. There is a wonderful writing center available for you in the
library – use it. For your own protection, keep copies of everything you turn in.
Classroom Policies:
Please be respectful of our working space: No tobacco products or gum chewing will be permitted in class.
The wearing of hats is discouraged. No food or drink will be allowed in the classroom or the theatre.
Please keep your feet off the seats. Please refrain from sleeping, working on other coursework, or reading
during class. If you wish to use a laptop, refrain from activities other than taking notes or expect to be
dismissed from the classroom.
Please keep cell phones silenced and hidden from sight at all times while in the classroom. Failure to do
so may result in being dismissed from the classroom.
Come to class with readings completed, ideas that you are ready to share and any questions that came up
for you during/about the reading.
Controversial Subject Matter:
We will be reading/seeing/discussing plays that include controversial subjects (e.g. sexuality, racism and
violence, etc.) and occasionally employ offensive language. If you are not prepared to engage such
material, you should not take this class.
ACCOMMODATION FOR A DISABILITY: If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please
submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed.
Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671,
Willard 322, and www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices. Disability Services' letters for students with
disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations.
ACCOMMODATION BECAUSE OF RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE:
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and
fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams,
assignments or required attendance. In this class, I shall make every effort to accommodate all students
who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with a scheduled exam, provided they notify me two
weeks in advance of the scheduled conflict. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate
learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards
may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with
understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the
manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are
especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion,
politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor
with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender
pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes
to my records. See polices at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code
HONOR CODE: All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for
knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may
include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening
behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council
(honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity
policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions
(including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor
Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/
POLICY ON DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT: The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on
Discrimination and Harassment
(http://www.colorado.edu/policies/discrimination.html) and the University of Colorado policy on Sexual
Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and
faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or
harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age,
disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and
Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the
ODH and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can
be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh
Course Schedule:
Day
Tuesday, Aug. 25
Thursday, Aug. 27
Topic
What is Art?/Syllabus
Syllabus/What is Theatre?
Reading
Chapter 1
Syllabus Contract
Quiz
Tuesday, Sept. 1
Thursday, Sep. 3
Audiences
Play Discussion
Chapters 2, 3 - Pg 14-57
Medea
Tuesday, Sep. 8
Thursday, Sep. 10
Stage Spaces
Acting: Brief History
Chapter 5
Chapter 6, pg 90-106
Tuesday, Sep. 15
Thursday, Sep 17
discussion cont./guest lecture
How I Learned to Drive
play discussion
See The Blind this weekend!
Writing about a Play
Chapter 4
Tuesday, Sep. 29
Thursday, Oct. 1
Acting Today
The Blind discussion
Chapter 7
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Thursday, Oct. 8
See The Visit during one of these two weekends!
Creating a Play
Chapter 9, pg 160-185
Machinal
Play Discussion
The Blind paper due
Tuesday, Oct. 13
Thursday, Oct. 15
Directors and Producers
Visit Discussion
Chapter 8
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Thursday, Oct. 22
Dramatic Forms
Chapter 10
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Thursday, Oct. 29
Comedy and Tragedy
discussion continued
Chapter 12 & 13
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Thursday, Nov. 12
Tuesday, Nov. 17
Thursday, Nov. 19
Tuesday, Nov. 24
Thursday, Nov. 26
Quiz
Exam One
Tuesday, Sep. 22
Thursday, Sep. 24
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Thursday, Nov. 5
Assignment Due
Quiz
Visit paper due
Exam Two
Hedda Gabler
Play Discussion
Dramatic Characters
Chapter 11
See The Philistines during one of these two weekends!
Six Characters . . .
Play Discussion
Scenery
Philistines Discussion
Quiz
Quiz
Exam Three
Chapter 14, 252-285
Philistines paper
Fall Break and Thanksgiving Holiday:
No Class!
Tuesday, Dec. 1
Thursday, Dec. 3
Play Discussion
Costumes, Lighting, Sound
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Thursday, Dec. 10
Monday, Dec. 12
Musical Theatre
American Theatre
Topdog/Underdog
Chapters 15 and 16
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Final Exam 7:30-10 p.m.
Quiz
SYLLABUS CONTRACT
A syllabus is a form of contract between the instructor and the student. It establishes enforceable
expectations for both parties.
It is important that I know that you have read this contract and that you agree to abide by its terms.
For that purpose (and to assist me in maintaining the class register) I ask that you sign the
statement below and return it to me.
If you do not return the signed syllabus contract, I will assume that you have not been attending
class and may drop you from the class.
I, ______________________________________________________, have read
(clearly print your name)
the syllabus for Emily K. Harrison’s Introduction to Theatre class and accept its terms. I
understand that my final grade will be determined by the number of points I score on the
specified assignments (quizzes, tests, papers, final exam). I understand that, as a CU
student, I must abide by the CU Honor Code and here affirm that "On my honor, as a
University of Colorado at Boulder student, I will neither give nor receive unauthorized
assistance on any quizzes, tests, exams or papers for this class."
________________________________________________
(sign your name)