Prof. W. C. Nielsen   Modern European Drama

Salome
Aubrey Beardsley, Wilde’s Salomé (1893)

Spring 2005
ENLT 375: Modern Drama: Ibsen to O'Neill
MR 2:30 PM-3:45 PM; M DI 179 / R DI 272 (Enroll Code: 11259)
"Modern European Drama"
<http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/e375.html>
<http://english.montclair.edu>

Prof. Wendy Nielsen
Dickson Hall 324
nielsenw@mail.montclair.edu
Office Hours: MR 9-10, M 4-5, and by appt.

Texts available at University Bookstore:

Course description: What is the tragedy of the modern family? How are family members expected to “perform”? And can the theater even begin to portray the comedy and tragedy (or tragicomedy) that is modern life? So-called Anti-Aristotelian dramas, or the plays written and produced between ca. 1870 and 1950, address these and many other questions. This course covers Naturalist Drama to Theater of the Absurd. We will read and consider the performance histories of Scandinavian, Irish, French, and Italian theater: Ibsen, Strindberg, Wilde (The Importance of Being Earnest), O’Casey, Pirandello, Beckett, and Genet. Students will leave with a profound appreciation for the turbulent world of the modern playhouse. Satisfies: pre-1900, Drama, multinational, gender issues

Requirements--Respect, Integrity, Collegiality, and:
Please observe the following:
  • Your classmates and instructor benefit from your presence in class and full participation, which therefore counts for a substantial part of your grade.  Please be in class at the start of the hour with work completed. 3 absences are automatically excused, but failure to attend class beyond that number will affect your final grade. 
  •   Papers should be no longer or shorter than the length assigned and submitted on time. Use twelve-point type, in Times New Roman or CG Times (or 10 pt. in Veranda, etc.). Late papers will result in grade reductions. Never submit a paper without proofreading it carefully.
  • To teach students to avoid plagiarism, lectures will also include instruction in MLA documentation of all work. This course engages in questions of authorship, including web authorship (online link: web.html). Submitting work and words that are not your own will result in failing this course and disciplinary action by the Dean of Students. 
  • Accommodations are always arranged for students with disabilities. Please call, email, or see the instructor personally.   

    • Tentative Class schedule--Please check website <http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/e375.html> for updates
    Date
         		Topic
         		Readings/Assignments due
    1. R 1/20
         		Course + student intro.; Elements of Drama; Anti-Aristotelian Drama;

    Unit I
    		 Pre-1900: Naturalist Theater

    2. M 1/24
         		Review; Class meets in DI 179! Ibsen bio; Naturalism; Map of Norway; Formal Writing Projects (underline = online link: a375.html); A and B Group assignment sign-up Ibsen 39-93
    3. R 1/27
         		A Doll's House
    		Ibsen 94-114; Bring 3 disc. ques. to class (will be collected)
    4. M 1/31
         		Review; Reading Group A; Peer Critique; Blackboard vs./& the World Wide Web
         		Drama Analysis A due (1 page/250 words); post to Blackboard/Discussion and bring 2 hard copies to class); bring Ibsen
    5. R 2/3
         		Review of L. 4-5; Hedda Gabler  (I)
         		Ibsen 217-47
    6. M 2/7
         		Hedda Gabler (II-IV) Ibsen 248-304; Bring 3 discussion ques. to class
    7. R 2/10
         		Reading Group B; Peer Critique Drama Analysis B due; bring Ibsen
    8. M 2/14
         		Review from Blackboard/Discussion; Map of Sweden; Strindberg, The Father Strindberg 1-29
    9. R 2/17
         		The Father Strindberg 30-41; Bring 3 discussion ques. to class
    10. M 2/21
         		Review; Concluding scene; Reading Group A: The Father; Peer Critique; Strindberg & Helium
    		Drama Analysis A due; bring Strindberg
    11. R 2/24
         		The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde 1-20
    12. M 2/28
         		The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde 21-54; Bring 3 discussion ques. to class
    13. R 3/3
         		Reading Group B: Wilde; Tragicomedy; Peer Critique: Final Essay; Essay 2 introduced
         		Drama Analysis B due; bring Wilde
    Unit II
    		 Theater of the Absurd

    14. M 3/7
         		Blackboard discussion: pose and answer a question
         		Brecht and Artaud (Blackboard/online)
    15. R 3/10
         		Library Tutorial in Sprague Rm. 110
    16. M 3/21
         		Review of Research Strategies; Performance Project; Six Characters in Search of an Author; Drama Analysis
         		Pirandello 3-45
    17. R 3/24
         		Six Characters in Search of an Author
         		Pirandello 46-80; Revision of drama analysis (hard copy, typed) due
    18. M 3/28
         		Fall 2005; Brecht (epic theater) and Artaud (theater of cruelty); Performance Project #1 Group 1; Brecht and Artaud (Blackboard/online [same as 3/7, bring printed copy to class]); Withdrawal Deadline 3/29
    19. R 3/31
         		Juno and the Paycock
         		O'Casey 63-97
    20. M 4/4
         		Juno and the Paycock; The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
         		O'Casey 98-148; Post an interpretive question on Blackboard/Discussion 
    21. R 4/7
         		Performance Project #2 Group 2
    22. M 4/11
         		Review: Juno [and your PPP]; The Maids: now playing at Jean Cocteau Rep.
         		Genet 33-70; Bring 3 discussion questions please (Bb or hard copy)
    23. R 4/14
         		The Maids
         		Genet 71-100
    24. M 4/18
         		Your PPP; The Maids; Performance Project #3 Group 3; Sartre in Genet, 7-31
    25. R 4/21
         		Waiting for Godot
         		Beckett 1-59
    26. M 4/25
         		Waiting for Godot
         		Beckett 62-109; 3 discussion questions (Bb or hard copy)
    27. R 4/28
         		Performance Project #4 Group 4; Optional/Extra Credit: Revision of an Essay + Discussion Questions as Portfolio
    28. M 5/2
         		Modernism and the Tragic; Final Review; Last day to submit material for credit
         		Final Performance Project Portfolio due
    Finals Week
         		Take-home final: Gender Issues in Modern Drama, Monday 5/9  10:45-12:45 in 324 Dickson (resched. time); no finals accepted after this date
    		Portfolios returned

    Nielsen, Wendy C. "Modern European Drama." Wendy C. Nielsen Home Page. Jan. 2005 <http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/e375.html> Date accessed.