SRJC Course Outlines

10/5/2024 2:33:05 AMTHAR 2 Course Outline as of Fall 2005

Reinstated Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 2Title:  INTRO TO THEATRE ARTS  
Full Title:  Introduction to Theatre Arts
Last Reviewed:5/14/2018

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  THAR 301

Catalog Description:
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An introduction to theatre as both an art form and social forum, emphasizing the interrelated processes of playwriting, acting, directing, design, technical theatre, theatre criticism, theatre management, and theatre architecture.  Students will study theatre from a variety of perspectives through lectures, attending plays, reading scripts, and hands-on experiences.  Course includes a theoretical examination of the role of theatre in society.  Field trips to three theatre productions are required (discounted admission; students provide own transportation).

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
An introduction to theatre as both an art form and social forum, emphasizing the interrelated processes of the many artistic and technical aspects of theatre.  Students study the theatre arts through lectures, discussions, reading scripts, hands-on experiences, and attending three plays (required field trips; discounted admission arranged).
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 2005
Inactive: 
 Area:E
Humanities
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 C1ArtsFall 2005
 C1ArtsFall 1981Fall 1988
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 3AArtsFall 2005
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2005Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2005Inactive:
 
C-ID:
 CID Descriptor: THTR 111 Introduction to Theatre SRJC Equivalent Course(s): THAR2

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
1.  Demonstrate a general knowledge of the theatre as a complex and
   diverse art form, as well as its ever-changing role in modern society.
2.  Analyze the different responsibilities and contributions of the actor,
   playwright, director, designer, technician, management, producer,
   critic and audience, while recognizing the collaborative nature of the
   theatre.
3.  Critique a theatrical production, both holistically and through an
   analysis of the contributions of the various artistic elements.
4.  Identify and theoretically solve the artistic challenges of a script,
   applying basic script analysis techniques for structural, thematic,
   and interpretive elements.
5.  Participate in one or more areas of the theatre at an introductory
   level, following instructions and working constructively with others.
6.  Correctly apply basic theatre terminology while demonstrating an
   introductory understanding of the positions, processes, and career
   opportunities in the theatre.
7.  Discern the interdisciplinary contributions of other art forms and
   fields of study to the creation of theatre.
8.  Recognize the major genres, styles, and movements of the modern
   theatre.
9.  Communicate using various theatre design "languages" such as sound,
   light, texture, color, mass, rhythm, etc.
10. Design and implement a basic research strategy, identifying questions,
   accessing key theatre resources, and problem-solving when necessary.

Topics and Scope
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I.   What Is Theatre?
    A.  Short history and theoretical overview of origin
    B.  The role of theatre in society today
II.  How to Read a Play
    A.  Dialogue and stage directions
    B.  Structure, plot and story
    C.  Character
    D.  Language
III. How to See a Play
    A.  Buying tickets
    B.  Attending a play
    C.  Audience etiquette
IV.  The Role of the Critic and Reviewer
    A.  How to read a review
    B.  Comparing reviews
    C.  Writing a review or critique
V.   Types of Plays and Productions
    A.  Genres
    B.  Styles, theories, and movements
    C.  Conventions
VI.  Producing Companies and Theatres
    A.  Types and categories (for profit, academic, etc.)
    B.  Where to find theatres
        1.  Sonoma County and Bay Area theatres
        2.  Famous theatres in California today
        3.  Famous theatres around the country today
        4.  Famous theatres around the world today
    C.  How a theatre company is organized
VII. Theatre Architecture and Theatrical Spaces
    A.  Short history
    B.  Audience configurations
    C.  Theatre buildings and found spaces
    D.  Working spaces within a theatre
    E.  Theatre tour (virtual and/or actual)
VIII.The Art of the Playwright
    A.  Short history and theories
    B.  The process, research and terms
    C.  Career paths
    D.  Brief study of a modern playwright
IX.  The Art of the Actor
    A.  Short history and theories
    B.  The process, research and terms
        1.  Researching and preparing a character
        2.  Training the instrument
        3.  Auditions and rehearsing
    C.  Career paths
    D.  Study of a modern actor
X.   The Art of the Director
    A.  Short history and theories
    B.  The process, research, and terms
        1.  Director's concept and research
        2.  Collaborating with others
        3.  Rehearsal process
        4.  Staging techniques (brief introduction)
    C.  Related positions
    D.  Career paths
    E.  Brief study of a modern director
XI.  Introduction to Theatre Design and Technology
    A.  Principles of design (line, mass, color, texture, etc.)
    B.  Design and technology Areas - With each of the following design
        and technology areas (1-6. below) the class will study:
          - A brief history and theoretical overview of the area
          - An introduction to the area's process, research, and terms
          - The various positions within the area
          - Education and career paths within the area
        1.  Scenery
        2.  Properties
        3.  Costume
        4.  Makeup and hair
        5.  Lighting/visual effects
        6.  Sound/composition
XII. Design/Director Collaboration (Actual/Virtual demonstration)
XIII.Stage Management
XIV. The Business of Theatre
    A.  Box office
    B.  House management
    C.  Producing and administration
    D.  Promotion, public relations, and audience development
    E.  Outreach
    F.  Government support, grants and sponsorships
    G.  Unions

Assignments:
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As a 3-hour lecture course, students will complete 6 hours of homework per
week, which may include:
1.  Reading:
   A. Read approx. 10-20 pages per week from text.
   B. Read, analyze, and discuss 2-3 plays:
      a.  One of the plays the class will attend.
      b.  The play for Acting/Directing scene (if from a published play).
      c.  The play for Director/Designer project.
2.  Attending Plays (Field Trips):
   Attend and prepare to discuss 3 productions selected by the
   instructor.  Productions may be Theatre Arts productions (voucher),
   SRT summer productions (discounted admission), community theatre
   productions (discounted admission), or professional productions
   (discounted admission).  Students will obtain or purchase tickets
   through the Theatre Arts Box Office for designated performances.
   Those students unable to attend the scheduled performances will be
   given an alternative assignment (viewing another live or recorded
   production).
3. Hands-On Experiences:
   A. Playwriting - write a brief scene or scenario.  (approx. 2 pages)
   B. Acting/Directing - each student will be teamed with 1-2 fellow
      students to stage, rehearse, memorize and perform a brief scene.
      (1-2 minutes)  Those who do not want to act may serve as directors.
      Scenes may be from published plays or neutral scenes.
   C. Reviewing -
      a. Compare and contrast two reviews of the same production.
         (approx. 2 pages)
      b. Write a review of 1-3 of the productions attended, following
         review criteria.  (approx. 2 pages/critique)
   D. Production Hours - actively participate in the production process
      by completing 10 hours in one of the following areas:
      a. Costume shop
      b. Scene shop
      c. Ushering (4 performances)
      d. Publicity
      [Hours must be completed within the posted times/calendar for the
      area selected.  (Students unable to participate in one of these
      may complete a comparable project relating to the production of
      plays, with the instructor's permission.)]
4.  Director/Designer Project:
   Teamed with a fellow student (one serving as director and one as
   designer), each student will research, conceptualize, and create a
   production treatment display for a play of their choosing.  Projects
   will be displayed in class.  Written documentation will include a
   summary of research and script analysis, as well as bibliography.
   (Display and approx. 3 page written documentation)
5.  Exam:  Final exam on terms and concepts covered during the semester.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
20 - 35%
Playwriting, review, project summary
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
15 - 20%
Director/Designer Project
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
10 - 15%
Performance
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
20 - 25%
Multiple choice, True/false, Matching items, Completion, Short answer, essay
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
20 - 30%
Attendance and Participation; Production Hours


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Instructor prepared materials
Theatre: A Way of Seeing (5th Edition).  Barranger, Milly S.
    Wadsworth: 2002
The Enjoyment of Theatre (6th Edition).  Cameron, Kenneth M. and
    Gillespie, Patti P.  Allyn & Bacon:  2000.
Another Opening, Another Show:  A Lively Introduction to the Theatre.
    Markus, Tom and Sarver, Linda.  Mayfield:  2001

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