ENG 3153 Topics in Genres: MODERN DRAMA
Prof. Bonnie Lyons
Spring 2010 Class Time: T, Th 12:30-1:45
MB 2.456
Class Location: MB 0224
458-5350
bonnie.lyons@utsa.edu
Off. Hrs.: 2-4 Th
Course Description: We’ll start with Ibsen, Strindberg and Chekhov, the
inventors of modern drama, and continue through the 20th century ending
with August Wilson. Modern drama is intellectually and artistically exciting
material, including social and political issues and a variety of artistic
positions and styles, including realism, naturalism, expressionism, and
theater of the absurd.
Course Texts:
Lee A. Jacobus, The Compact Bedford Introducfion to Drama (sixth edition)
August Wilson, Three Plays
Course Requirements and Grading:
One midterm 30% (Tuesday Feb 16)
One final exam (30%) (Wed. May 5 from 10:30-1:00)
Pop quizzes (30%)
Intelligent class participation (10%)
An optional 5-8 page paper. NO SECONDARY SOURCES. IF students choose this
option, the paper counts 20%, and the midterm and final each count 20%. The quiz
percentage remains unchanged.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
Jan 12 and 14: introduction to drama, modern drama and dramatic terms
Jan 19 and 21: A Doll House
Jan 26 and 28: Miss Julie
Feb 2 and 4: The Cherry Orchard
Feb 9 and 11: Six Characters in Search of an Author
Feb 16 in class midterm
Feb 18, 23 and 25: Mother Courage and her Children: A Chronicle of the Thirty
Years’ War
March 2 and 4: The Glass Menagerie
March 9 and 11: Death of a Salesman
March 23 and 25: Krapp’s Last Tape
March 30 –no class
April 1 and 6 : “Master Harold” . .and the Boys
April 8 and 13: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
April 15 and 20: Fences
(OPTIONAL paper due April 22 --no late papers)
April 22 and 27 : Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
WED. May 5 10:30-1:00 final exam