Towson University
Fall Semester, 1998
Robyn Quick
Office: Room 238, x2312
Office Hours: mwf 8 am-9 pm
and by appointment
http://www.towson.edu/~quick
rquick@towson.edu
The Quick Guide to Script Analysis
The Quick Guide to Theatre Research
A study of the play, from page to stage, with emphasis on critical analysis of structure, genre, theme, style, character, language, dramatic event, and point of view of the actor, director, critic, and audience. An introduction to theatre research methods.
1. To introduce the student to the dramatic script as the primary source of information for theatrical performance.
2. To help the student develop a system of analyzing and evaluating a variety of scripts in terms of their theatrical requirements and their aesthetic qualities.
3. To explore the role of secondary research as a tool of the analysis and interpretation of scripts.
4. To introduce the student to the interdisciplinary nature of the production process, which includes research, analysis , and interpretation.
5. To introduce the student to contemporary information resources (both electronic and print), and to the principles of evaluating and using that information effectively.
6. To introduce the student to methods of critical research, and to help develop the abilities to write and speak clearly about dramatic literature, the requirements of production, and the experience of performance.
7. To help the student explore the impact of hypermedia on the manner
in which information is exchanged and consider the implications of the Internet
for theatre studies.
Ball, Backwards and Forwards.
MLA, Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
(recommended texts available in bookstore)
Shakespeare, Hamlet
Sophocles, Oedipus (trans. Arnott)
Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
Kushner, The Dybbuk
Beckett, Waiting for Godot
OyamO, I am a Man
Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
DiNovelli, Queen Mab
*Each student must also purchase one floppy disk for use in conjunction
with class activities.
Students are required to attend the department productions of:
Queen Mab October 9 - 10, 14 - 17
The Visit November 13 - 14, 18 - 21
Grading:
Students will complete individual grade contracts with the instructor. The contracts will describe the level and amount of work required for each grade and will allow students to chose their desired grade. Each student will receive the grade he or she selects as long as the corresponding work is completed in a prompt and satisfactory manner. If the student fails to complete the assignments required for the selected grade, the instructor will assign a grade appropriate to the work the student has produced. Contracts will be distributed on the first day of class and are due one week later.
Notes:
1. All written work must meet the standards of basic expository writing and must follow the style outlined in the MLA Handbook. Grammar, clarity, style, and documentation count and will affect your grade.
2. Prompt, consistent attendance is important to the success of the class and will be reflected in each student's final grade. Any student who misses more than 4 classes will have his or her final grade lowered by one full letter grade. Any student who misses more than 8 classes will have his or her final grade lowered by 2 full letter grades. Students who miss more than 10 classes are not likely to receive a passing grade and should consult with the instructor about withdrawing from the class. In the case of absences the student is responsible for gathering all material covered in class. Quizzes and other graded in-class assignments may not be made up. Attendance at examinations is mandatory.
3. Class begins promptly at 12:30. In order to fully participate in the class session and receive full credit for attending, students must arrive on time. The instructor reserves the right to deduct points from the student's attendance record for habitual or excessive lateness. If lateness is unavoidable, the student is welcome to join the class, but is expected not to disrupt the session already in progress.
4. Assignments must be completed on time. After the deadline, a grade of zero will be entered for work not received.
5. All written assignments must be submitted on paper. Work submitted on computer disk will not be accepted. Do not consider your assignment complete until it is printed. [Exception: If the work is designed for a computer format such as a web site or a computer-generated multimedia presentation, the project may be submitted on computer disk.]
6. Grades of "incomplete" may not be given except in cases of verified medical or other emergencies.
7. Plagiarism violates the expectation of honesty among scholars without which there can be no intellectual inquiry. The Theatre Department will not tolerate plagiarism. Any student found guilty of such an offense will be failed for the course and at the discretion of the faculty member may be brought before the University Student Judicial Board for dismissal from the institution.
8. Students may not repeat a course more than once without prior permission from the Academic Standards Committee.
9. Students with disabilities are given every opportunity to participate in theatre classes even if such participation requires adjustment to the means by which course requirements are met. Students must notify the instructor at the beginning of the semester if they require special consideration. Students with disabilities are given every opportunity to audition for major productions and directors are requested to cast them whenever possible.
10. The learning environment in this class is based upon an atmosphere of mutual respect which will be maintained at all times. Students are expected to adhere to the code of student conduct as outlined in appendix F section II of the university catalog.
Please consult me if you have questions about any of these requirements.
Students must read the appropriate play by the first class period in which it will be discussed.
Class Schedule:
Students must read the appropriate play by the first class period in which it will be discussed.
Aug 31 Introduction to Course
Sept 2 Introduction to Script Analysis
Sept 9 Hamlet [grade contracts due]
Sept 14 Hamlet
Sept 16 Hamlet
Sept 21 Library Session I
Sept 23 Hamlet
Sept 28 Library Session II
Sept 30 Romeo and Juliet
Oct 5 Romeo and Juliet [assignment #1 due]
Oct 7 Queen Mab
Oct 12 Queen Mab
Oct 14 Romeo and Juliet [assignment #2 due]
Oct 18 Special Session in Theatre Department Script Library
Oct 19 Queen Mab Production Discussion
Oct 21 The Importance of Being Earnest
Oct 26 The Importance of Being Earnest
Oct 28 Waiting for Godot
Nov 2 Waiting for Godot [assignment #3]
Nov 4 Waiting for Godot
Nov 9 Oedipus
Nov 11 Oedipus
Nov 16 First Web Session [draft of first web projects due]
Nov 18 I am a Man
Nov 23 Second Web Session [draft of second web projects due]
Nov 25 The Visit Production Discussion
Nov 30 I am a Man [all revised web page material due]
Dec 2 The Dybbuk
Dec 7 Launch Web Page
Dec 9 The Dybbuk [paper due]
Final Exam: Wednesday, December 16 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Go to web building
page created by Stephen Thomas
The syllabus and assingments for Script Analysis were orginally developed by Dr. Ralph Blasting