Dr. M. Diane Krantz

 dkrantz@weber.edu

 English 2290 Intro Drama

 Fall Semester, 2000       

 Meeting time 8:30-9:45 am

 Classroom SS26

 Office SS344

 Office Phone 626-6543

 Office Hours MW 9-9:50 am T 8:20-8:50pm

 http://faculty.weber.edu/dkrantz

INFORMATION ABOUT HUMANITIES 2290

Humanities 2290 is an introductory course in drama with writing in response to reading.  We will read and view clips of twelve plays. We will seek in each case to understand the fundamental qualities and characteristics of drama.  You will learn specific strategies to respond to and eventually analyze and interpret plays that are applicable to all kinds of texts and will be responsible for bringing your ideas and experiences to the texts and the class discussions.  This is not a class in which you will sit passively and take a lot of notes.  I will lecture on basic concepts and, of course, answer questions, but the bulk of the class time will be spent in group discussion. 

Required Text:12 Plays:  A Portable Anthology , Janet E. Gardner, ed.

OTHER SUPPLIES:   ÊÊ(suggestions only)ÊÊÊ
A dictionary
A notebook
A very cheap folder to keep returned journals
A small stapler
A device to save computer files including information I send over the network or on Groupwise.

READING REQUIREMENT: Class discussion will make sense only if you have prepared the readings by the day they are due on the syllabus. Hence you are responsible for responding in writing to each reading.(See below) 

WRITING REQUIREMENT: You will submit journal entries on the reading at the beginning of each class for which a reading is due. These will be informal (handwritten on loose leaf) but must be at least 100 words. Your grade for journaling begins as an A.  You can only lower it by a) failing to hand entries in at the start of the class on the day they are due or b) by inappropriate responses (summary rather than interpreting or critiquing, 20 or more words short).  You may not make up a journal entry after the day it is due, but you can email it before the class it is due.  You will also take an objective in-class midterm and a short-answer final (designed by the class) and write two short (about 5 pages) papers.

PLAY ATTENDANCE: You are required to attend at least the play ÒBeaux' StratagemÓ and Medea performed during the Greek festival.  I will use videos extensively to create an atmosphere of performed theater for the class.  Non-attendance will affect your attendance grade.  Be aware your fellow students in the Theater Program have won national awards.

GRADING DISTRIBUTION
Journal 30%
Two Essays 30%
Midterm 15%
Final 25%

Extra Credit: Text mark-up: 5-10 points; 1 page Report on any play other than those indicated above produced by Weber State Performing Arts: 5-10 points

SYLLABUS Fall Semester, 2000

Read the pages carefully, giving special attention to the characters and dialogue in each play.  Also consult the biographical and textual notes in your text PP 711ff.

Tues   8/26    Introduction to the course: Computer classroom for Class description; Syllabus; Sample journal entry; Introduction to Oedipus Rex; summary of play

Thurs  8/28    A Brief History of Western Theater pp. 705-709; terms 729 ff; Read Oedipus Rex pp 1-15; journal due; Classical drama and Dramatic Structure.

Tues   9/2   Read Oedipus Rex pp 16-30; journal due; tragedy

Thurs 9/4   Thurs 9/4 Read Oedipus Rex pp 31-45; journal due; Video Clips of the play: Intro Lysistrata;

Tues   9/9   Lysistrata pp 46-70; comedy; Assign Essay 1

Thurs   9/11    Lysistrata; 70-90; prep for Hamlet

Tues 9/16  Read Hamlet 91- 140; journal due; guide questions; Renaissance Drama

Thurs 9/18 Read Hamlet pp 140-176; journal due; Characterization;

Tues. 9/23 Read Hamlet pp 176-212; journal due; Shakespeare and the Classical unities;  aside and soliloquy

Thurs   9/25 Video clips of the play; sample essay; prep for A Doll House; Essay 1 due

Tues 9/30   Tues 9/30 Read A Doll House, pp213-243; journal due; Modern Realistic drama; Scenery; Setting; guide questions

Thurs. 10/2  Read A Doll House, pp244-271; journal due; video clips

Tues 10/7  Midterm preparation; no journal; prep Cherry Orchard

Thurs 10/9    Midterm in testing center.

Tues 10/14 Read The Cherry Orchard pp272-299; Modern Comedy

Thurs 10/16 Read The Cherry Orchard pp299-320; prep for Trifles

Tues 10/21  Read Trifles pp321-333; Journal due; theme; guide questions

Thurs 10/23 Read The Glass Menagerie, 334-362; journal due; playwright control; guide questions

Tues  10/28  Read the Glass Menagerie, pp. 363-389; journal due; plot

Thurs 10/30 Video clips of the play; Assign Essay 2; Fri 10/31 First performance of ÒBeaux' StratagemÓ

Tues 11/4   Read Death of a Salesman, pp 323-346; journal due; modern tragedy; guide questions

Thurs 11/6  Read Death of a Salesman, pp 347-372; journal due; video clips of the play

Tues 11/11 Read Death of a Salesman, pp 372-406; journal due; Essay 2 due

Thurs 11/13 Read Endgame, pp. 470-532: Theater of the Absurd

Tues    11/18  Read Top Girls pp. 533-594; Modern Feminism

Thurs 11/20  Read ÒMaster HaroldÓÉand the boys pp596-702

Tues   11/25 Read The Piano Lesson pp. 633-703;  Social Commentary

Thurs   11/27 Holiday

Tues   12/2  Exam Preparation

Thurs  12/4  Exam Preparation

Final Exam: 12/11, 7-9 am