SCRIPT ANALYSIS
THRT 210, Section 2
Winthrop University
Spring 2010
Robert A. Gaines Ph.D., Part-Time Lecturer
230 Johnson Hall
Phone 803-323-4528
Classes: Script Analysis 9:30-10:45 a.m. T-TH
Theatre Appreciation, 12:30-1:45 pm T-TH
Office Hours: 9-9:30 &11am-12pm T-TH and by Appointment
COURSE GOALS:
1.) To Increase the students’ understanding of formal test analysis as it pertains to
demands of theatrical performance from a global perspective. Emphasis is
placed on critical analysis of structure, genre, theme, style, character,
language, dramatic event, and point of view of the actor, director, critic and
audience
2.) To provide the student with experiential learning in analyzing a script for
performance with an over view of the cultural, historical and performance
contexts that shaped the plays.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1.) To describe in some detail, the intellectual, economic, and cultural dimensions
of each major theatrical period as demonstrated in both the society and
the dramatic literature
2.) To distinguish between the five major genres explaining their boundaries and
purposes as well as identifying examples of each from dramatic literature
3.) To demonstrate through written papers knowledge of theatrical research
techniques.
STUDENT GOALS IN THE TOUCHSTONE PROGRAM RELATED TO
THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE COMPONENT:
4.1) Analyze diverse world cultures, societies, languages, historical periods and
artistic expressions.
4.2) Understand cultures in their own terms and in terms of the diverse ideas,
institutions, philosophies, moral codes, and ethical principals.
4.3) Understand the nature of social and cultural conflicts and methods of
resolution.
6.1) Participate in and/or observe a variety of artistic expressions.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES RELATED TO THE GLOBAL
PERSPECTIVES COMPONENT:
1. To expose students to multiple perspectives such as the influences of economic, historical political, social, and cultural forces in the development and functioning of the world. 2. To study the effects of such forces on particular countries, cultures, and
geographic regions.
3. To apply critical thinking and analytical skills.
4. To recognize human diversity both past and present..
STUDENT GOALS IN THE TOUCHSTONE PROGRAM RELATED TO
THE HUMANITIES & ARTS PRESPRCTIVE:
3.0) To use critical thinking, problem-solving skills and a variety of research
methods
6.0) To understand aesthetic values, the creative process, and the
interconnectedness of the literary, visual, and performing arts throughout
history.
7.0) To examine values, attitudes, beliefs, and habits which define the nature
and quality of life.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES RELATED TO THE HUMANITIES & ARTS
PRESPRCTIVE:
1.) Demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for diverse intellectual and/or critical viewpoints. 2.) Critically evaluate artistic process and aesthetic values.
3.) Critically evaluate material in a variety of formats (e.g. written, aural, visual
etc.).
4.) Critically evaluate material in a variety of formats (e.g. written, aural, visual
etc.).
TEXTS: The Longman Anthology of Drama ed. By Greenwald, Schultz, and Pomo A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard.
Butterflies Are Free by Leonard Gershe
SECTION ONE: Introduction to the tools of Script Analysis
Tuesday, January 12
Introduction to the course, Chapter 1 World of the
Theatre
Thursday, January 14
A Streetcar Named Desire (1947) by
Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) USA
Tuesday, January 19
Thursday, January 21
A Streetcar Named Desire as Tragedy
Chapter 4, World of the Theatre
Butterflies Are Free by Leonard Gershe USA
Chapter 5, World of the Theatre
SECTION TWO: TRAGEDY
Tuesday, January 26
Oedipus Rex (428 BCE) by Sophocles
(ca. 496-406 BCE)
GREECE
Thursday, January 28
Oedipus Rex, Chapter 3, World of the Theatre
Tuesday, February 02
Hamlet (ca.1602-03) by William Shakespeare (15641616) ENGLAND
Thursday, February 04 Hamlet, Chapter 5, World of the Theatre
Tuesday, February 09
A Doll’s House (1879) by Henrik Ibsen
(1828-1906) Norway
Thursday, February 11 A Doll’s House,
Tuesday, February 16
Fences (1987) by August Wilson (1945- ) USA
A Streetcar Named Desire plays this week
Thursday, February 18 Fences, Chapters 1-6 World of the Theatre
Tuesday, February 23 What are the parameters of Tragedy?
Streetcar Critiques Due
Butterflies Are Free plays this week
Section Three: Comedy
Thursday, February 25 A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream (ca. 1595) by William
Shakespeare (1564-1616) ENGLAND
Tuesday, March 02
Butterfly critiques
Thursday, March 04
A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream (ca. 1595) by William
Shakespeare (1564-1616) ENGLAND
She Stoops to Conquer (1773) by Oliver Goldsmith
ENGLAND
Tuesday, March 09
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) by Oscar Wilde
(1854-1900) ENGLAND
The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) by Oscar Wilde
(1854-1900) ENGLAND
Thursday, March 11
Tuesday, March 16
Thursday, March 18
Spring Break
Spring Break
Tuesday, March 23
What are the parameters of Comedy?
Paper II
Section Four: Melodrama
Thursday, March 25
A Raisin in the Sun (1959) by Lorraine Hansberry
(1930-1965) USA
Section Five: What Genre are these plays and why?
Tuesday, March 30
Six Characters in Search of an Author (1921)
by Luigi Pirandello (1867-1956) ITALY
Thursday, April 01
Six Characters in Search of an Author
Chapter 6, World of the Theatre
Tuesday, April 06
Thursday, April 08
Te-Jean and His Brothers (1958) by Derek Walcott
(1930- ) THE CARRIBEAN
Te-Jean and His Brothers
Tuesday, April 13
Thursday, April 15
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1966)
by Tom Stoppard (1937----) ENGLAND
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Tuesday, April 20
Master Harold and the Boys (1982) by Athol Fugard
(1932- ) SOUTH AFRICA
Thursday, April 22
Master Harold and the Boys (1982)
Final Examination 8 am Wednesday, April 28!
GRADING SCALE
A ten point grading scale will be use:
100-90 =A
89-80 = B 89-87 = B+, 86-84 = B, 83-80 = B79-70 = C 79-70 = C+, 76-74 = C, 73-70 = C69-60 = D 69-60 = D+, 66-64 = D, 63-60 = D0-59 = F
GRADING:
Class Participation ..............…. 10%
First Paper…………………… 10%
Second Paper………………… 20%
Final Paper (Final Exam) ….. 25%
3 papers on the Productions
15%
Quizzes……………………… 20%
100%
1.) GRADING CRITERIA:
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Student does not have to have the correct
answer all the time but rather must attend class regularly and on time,
show evidence regularly of having read the material, having inwardly
digested it, and show a willingness to regularly share her/his views with
the class orally.
THREE PAPERS: Students will write three papers. The first on tragedy,
the second on Comedy, and the last, which is the Final Exam, on tragiccomedy. The papers must each be five pages long which is 1250 words.
The paper must explore some facet of the genre being discussed that we
did not cover in class, or that we skimmed over too lightly for your
satisfaction. Students must keep their eyes open during the semester to
locate such issues early. One play may form the entirety of your paper, or
you discuss a single issue over several plays. All topics should be clearly
through me.
Quizzes: Each Thursday we will do an in class project that requires you to
synthesize the material you have read sent the last quiz.
ATTENDANCE AT WINTHOPE UNIVERSITY THEATRICAL
PRODUCTIONS: Students must attend all three theatrical productions
presented by the department this semester. A topic will be assigned in
advance and students will write one 500 word paper on each production.
Topics may come from Aristotle’s six elements on the drama or from
other more contemporary methods of script analysis. The three
productions along with there dates and times are listed below.
A Streetcar named Desire
Feb, 18-20, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. and Feb 21 at 2:00 p.m.
Johnson Theatre
Butterflies Are Free
Feb. 25-27 at 8:00 p.m. and Feb 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Johnson Studio Theatre
Godspell
March 31-April 3 at 8 p.m. and April 4 at 2 p.m.
Johnson Theatre
2. Attendance Policy. Class will be held at all appointed times unless the
University is closed or you receive word of a cancellation from me. Students are
expected to attend all sessions. I do realize that emergencies do arise from time to
time and allow you 3 absences. (Note, I make no distinction between excused and
unexcused absences.) On your fourth absence three (3) points will be deducted
from your final grade and another three (3) for each successive absence. Students
should make a record of their absences so they do not have to bother the instructor
for that information. Student athletes and other who must miss classes because of
university sponsored event should talk to me before or after class immediately !
If you do miss a class you are responsible for making up the content covered in
your absence. Borrow and copy three peoples notes and then I will be happy to fill
in gaps for you.
3. Class begins promptly at 9:30 A.M. In order to fully participate in the class
session and receive full credit for attending, students must arrive on time. It is the
student’s responsibility to sign the attendance sheet. The instructor reserves the
right to deduct points from the student's attendance record for habitual or excessive
lateness.
4. Assignments must be completed on time. All written assignments must be
submitted on paper, unless otherwise instructed. Work submitted on computer disk
will not be accepted. Work submitted by email will not be accepted (unless
approved by the professor). Late assignments will be accepted, but will be
penalized five (5) points for each day beyond the “due” date
5. We will be using TURNITIN for projects this semester
6. Academic Integrity: Infractions of academic discipline are dealt with in
accordance with the student Academic Misconduct Policy, which is in the Student
Conduct Code in the Student Handbook. Academic misconduct includes, but is not
limited to, providing or receiving assistance in a manner not authorized by the
Instructor in the creation of work to be submitted for academic evaluation
including papers, projects, and examinations; presenting as one’s own, the ideas or
words of another for academic evaluation without proper acknowledgment; doing
unauthorized academic work for which another person will receive credit or be
evaluated; and presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in
two or more courses without the explicit permission of the professors involved. In
addition, academic misconduct involves attempting to influence one’s academic
evaluation by means other than academic achievement or merit.
7. Plagiarism: Do your own work. Plagiarism, with print or Internet sources
(using another person’s ideas or expressions in your writings or speeches
without acknowledging the source), carries severe penalties, ranging from a zero
for the assignment to failure of the course. Honesty and ethics also apply to signing
your name only on the sign-in sheet.
8. Student Code of Conduct: As noted in the Student Conduct Code:
“Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The
policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the Student Conduct Code
Academic Misconduct Policy in the Student Handbook online
http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf).
9. Safe Zones Statement: The professor considers this classroom to be a place
where you will be treated with respect as a human being – regardless of gender,
race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political
beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thoughts are appreciated and
encouraged provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor’s expectations
that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.
10. Students with Disabilities: Winthrop University is dedicated to providing
access to education. If you have a disability and require specific accommodations
to complete this course, contact Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-
3290. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from Services for
Students with Disabilities, please inform me as soon as possible.
11. Technology: The use of technology can be a wonderful aid for communication
and learning, but it must be used appropriately. No cell phones, PDA’s, MP3
players, or other devices are allowed to be used during class. Sending, reading
and/or receiving text messages are inappropriate in the classroom. It is unethical
and unacceptable to use recording devices (such as camera phones, digital video,
etc) in or outside of the class-room to film faculty, staff or students without their
permission. Please put these items away until class has ended. Please consult me if
you have questions