Modern European Drama (Spring 2009)


Klimt, Tragödie

Gustav Klimt, Tragedy, 1897 (Historical Museum of the City of Vienna, Vienna, Austria)

Modern Drama: Ibsen to O'Neill (Spring 2009): 11583
MW 11:30-12:45 in UN 2008
http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/mdrama09.html
<http://english.montclair.edu>

Prof. Wendy Nielsen
Office Hours: M 4-5:30, W 10-11:30, & by appt. in Dickson Hall 352
Email: nielsenw@mail . . . 

Texts available at University Bookstore (please use assigned translations):
Additional Texts Available on Blackboard http://blackboard.montclair.edu/:
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, German, Anglo-Irish, French, and Italian theater: Ibsen (Doll House, Hedda Gabler), Strindberg (The Father, Miss Julie), Ernst Rosmer (pseudonym for Elsa Bernstein, author of Twilight), Wilde (The Importance of Being Earnest), Wedekind (Spring Awakening), Pirandello (Six Characters in Search of an Author), and Genet (The Maids). Students will leave with a profound appreciation for the development of modern Europe and its playhouses.

Requirements: Click here to get an explanation of my shorthand on Style issues, and my criteria for grading: http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/correction.html

#1:The Spirit of a Democratic Classroom: Respect, Collegiality, and Integrity

#2: Participation (incl. regular attendance, contribution to class discussion, discussion questions, peer review)--10%:
#3: In-class Midterm (Unit I)--30%: No make-up dates!

#4: Performance Paper (incl. participation in at least 2 of our 3 Process Writing workshops)-- 30% (assignment TBA)

#5: Journal Portfolio (critical intro., 7 originals + at least 1 revision that highlights your editing skills)--30%: Students will write at least one entry for nearly every text we read. Each entry begins with any key passage from the primary text (drama) or secondary source (theater review). After copying this passage, write a 1-2 page (250-400 word) close analysis. You are encouraged to use these entries as an opportunity to develop skills in close analysis and to track key themes, techniques, or issues in a literary text. Journals are not graded until they are presented in a revised Journal Portfolio (see below). Bring a copy to class and post your response to Blackboard/Discussion as well, so that other students can learn from your work. Owing to scheduling difficulties, I am afraid I am NOT able to read late journal entries, although I do expect to see them in the final Portfolio. I will NOT accept emailed journal entries. If you cannot attend class, I suggest you ask a fellow participant to bring your hard copy to class. If you are unable to turn in your journal on time, I suggest you ask a fellow student to read and evaluate the work-in-progress. Always include a Works Cited of all sources cited and referenced.

The final Journal Portfolio includes a c
ritical intro., 7 originals + at least 1 revision that highlights your editing skills. The cover letter should self-evaluate your own Journals and address the following questions: How have these writing exercises aided your thinking this semester? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your journals? What is your best journal entry, and why? What grade would you give yourself for this assignment? Consider the following guidelines in averaging your grade:
Although you are only required to revise one journal entry, if you revise others, I will reevaluate them. Immediately following the cover letter, place your mandatory revised journal, any other revised journals, and all 7 original journals. You should also include any journals that you’re handing in late. Here’s a final list of everything you should include the following in this order: 1) Cover letter; 2) Mandatory revised journal; 3) Any other revised journals; 4) Original Journals; 5) Any late Journals. Please simply staple everything together, or use a binder clip. No cover pages, please.

Policies: Tentative schedule subject to change; please check your Montclair email and <http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/mdrama09.html> for updates

Date
Class Activities
Reading / Homework Due
1. W 1/21
Course and Student Introduction; Elements of Drama; Anti-Aristotelian Drama Monday's reading assignment is in the cell below
Unit I: Drama before 1900 and the Naturalists
2. M 1/26
A Doll's House; Student Questions Read Ibsen, A Doll's House; DISC. 1: Write 3 ORIGINAL discussion questions (either ones you would pose as an instructor of the class, things you are confused about in the reading, or a mix between the two) and bring them to class (will be collected). The purpose of discussion questions is to open a dialogue between you and me; to make this a student-centered classroom; and to help students become better writers by becoming critical thinkers, or people who question what they read. Discussion questions are evaluated on a check (average, show you did the reading), check plus (insightful, original, possibly brilliant, probably shared during class), or check minus (you didn't do the reading or simply copied questions discussed in class) basis. Discussion questions are not mandatory but are taken into consideration for your Participation Grade.
3. W 1/28
Review; Orig. Ending; Performances of A Doll's House; Feminist and Socio-economic Approaches
Read Theater Reviews about A Doll's House (Bb/Readings/Theater Reviews) and bring copies (or copious notes) to class. Journal 1: Write a close analysis of a passage from A Doll's House. Bring a copy to class and post your response to Blackboard/Discussion as well.
4. M 2/2
Review; Hedda Gabler; the New Woman
Read Ibsen, Hedda Gabler; DISC. 2: Bring 3 original discussion questions to class.
5. W 2/4
Class canceled
Write and read ahead.
6. M 2/9
Review; Hedda Gabler: Performances Read Theater Review; Journal 2: Write a close analysis of a passage from Hedda Gabler. Bring a copy to class and post your response to Bb/DB.
7. W 2/11
Strindberg, The Father Read Strindberg, The Father; DISC. 3: Bring 3 original discussion questions to class.
8. M 2/16
Strindberg and Helium; Review
Read Theater Reviews about The Father; Journal 3: Write a close analysis of a passage from The Father. Bring a copy to class and post your response to Bb/DB.
9. 2/18
Miss Julie & Naturalist Theater Read Strindberg, Miss Julie; DISC. 4: Bring 3 original discussion questions to class.
10. M 2/23
Review; Miss Julie in performance Read Theater Reviews about Miss Julie; Journal 4: Write a close analysis of a passage from Miss Julie (as usual, bring a copy to class and post your response to Bb/DB). 
11. W 2/25
Twilight Read Act I and II of Bernstein,Twilight (1-87); DISC. 4: Bring 3 original discussion questions to class.
12. M 3/2
Twilight Read end of Twilight (88-145); Optional (no journal due): Write a close analysis of a passage from Twilight. Bring a copy to class and post your response to Bb/DB.
13. W 3/4
Importance of Being Earnest Read Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest. No discussion questions due.
14. M 3/9
Earnest in Performance; Midterm Review Read Theater Review. No journal due.
15. W 3/11
 Midterm Exam (No make-up dates!)
Bring your books and one page of notes (written on back of exam questions)
Unit II: Twentieth-Century Families and Performances
16. M 3/23
Reading Day (class canceled)  Read ahead and start revising your past journal entries
17. W 3/25
Timeline; Modernism; Dada, Surrealism, etc.; Brecht (epic theater) and Artaud (theater of cruelty) Read Brecht and Artaud (Blackboard / Online) and bring a copy or laptop to class
18. M 3/30
Review; Wedekind, Spring Awakening
Read Wedekind, Spring Awakening; DISC. 5: Bring 3 original discussion questions to class.
19. W 4/1
Review; Performances of Wedekind
Read Theater Reviews about Wedekind; Journal 5: Write a close analysis of a passage from Spring Awakening
20. M 4/6
Pirandello, Six Characters
Read Pirandello, Six Characters; DISC. 6: Bring 3 original discussion questions to class
21. W 4/8
Review; Pirandello in performance Read Theater Reviews about Pirandello; Journal 6: Write a close analysis of a passage from Six Characters
22. M 4/13
Genet, The Maids Read all of The Maids; DISC. 7: Bring 3 original discussion questions to class.
23. W 4/15
Review; Existentialism; Performances of The Maids Read Sartre, intro. to The Maids (7-31) and Theater Reviews about The Maids; Journal 7: Write a close analysis of a passage from The Maids
24. M 4/20
Performance Paper Process Writing #1:  Library Tutorial: Class meets in Sprague 203
Post your paper proposal (a brief description of your topic) to Blackboard/Discussion. You must participate in at least 2 of these 3 scheduled Process Writing workshops for me to accept your final paper.
25. W 4/22
Perf. Paper Process Writing #2: Drafting; Small Group Analysis (Pedagogy Evaluation); Class meets in UN 1121
Bring an outline of your proposed Performance Paper to class; at the end of class you will have draft work that shows your original composition.
 
26. M 4/27
Perf. Paper Process Writing #3: Editing; Class meets in UN 1121 Bring 2 hard copies of your draft to class, and post to Blackboard/Discussion.
27. W 4/29
Informal presentation of your Performance Paper Performance Paper due: staple or clip (w/a binder clip) all draft work to your final draft, which should be on top. No folders please. Come to class with a 2-3 minute summary of your Performance Paper. Post final drafts to Blackboard/Discussion as well. 
28. M 5/4
Peer Review: Revision of Journals; Midterm Review; Family Tragedy
Bring journal entries that you wish to revise to class for peer review; Optional: Participation Packet (staple old and/or new/late discussion questions)--this is absolutely the last day to turn this in
5/11
Final Journal Portfolio + Journal Reading due 1-1:45 pm; 1:45-3:00 pm: Optional rewrite of Midterm Exam
Final Journal Portfolio due (see under Requirement #5, above) in class, where you will either a) present what you've learned through writing these exercises (critical intro./cover letter or b) read one of your close analyses aloud. Failure to participate = -5 points off of Final Journal Portfolio; those who wish to rewrite their midterm exams should notify the instructor by 5/10 (email) and bring books, and exam sheet, to class