Art of Drama: the Violence of Spectatorship




ENGL 263-01 (11183): Art of Drama
TR, 1:00 PM-2:15 PM
DI 179--(Please note: No food or drink allowed in room)
<http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/art.html>
<http://english.montclair.edu/>

Prof. Wendy Nielsen
Office: Dickson Hall 324; Mailbox: Dickson Hall 439
nielsenw@mail.montclair.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays 11:15-12:45 and by appt.

Text available at University Bookstore:
Course description: This course explores the genre of drama and its role in shaping global politics, history, and culture. The title of this course is “Violence and Spectatorship;” thus, a special concern for us will be the ways in which drama establishes and rebels against traditional rules regarding social conduct. In other words, we will investigate the theater as a site for social conflict. After reading performance theory from Aristotle to Artaud and examining theatrical techniques of Western dramatists, students will leave this course with a deep appreciation for the ways in which drama expresses the tragedy and comedy of the human condition. In addition to regular participation, papers, exams, and presentations, students will be expected to write a review of at least one live dramatic performance.

Requirements:

Grading Rubric: 98-100  A+; 93-97 A; 90-92 A-; 87-89 B+; 83-86 B; 80-82 B-; 77-79 C+; 73-76 C; 70-72 C-; 67-69 D+; 63-66 D; 60-62 D-; 0-59 F

Please observe the following:

  • Your classmates and your instructor depend on your presence in class and your full participation. Participation 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.
  • 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/art.html> for updates
    Date
    Class Topic
    Homework Due
    1. T 1/20
    Course + Student Introduction; Elements of Drama
    See cell below for Thursday's reading
    Unit I
    Classical Drama

    2. R 1/22
    Review of L. 1; Greek Theater Intro.; Aristotle; Elements of the Stage
    13-24, 79-89
    3. T 1/27
    Review of L. 2; Plato's Republic; Sophocles, Oedipus the King; How to Cite Drama
    25-44; Bring 3 discussion questions to class (to be collected!)
    4. R 1/29
    Review of L. 3; Oedipus the King; Theater Reviews 89-96; Response #1 (1 page/250 words): Does Oedipus violate Aristotle's philosophy of non-sympathetic villains? Or: write about what concerns you in the play (think: pre-writing for essay!)
    5. T 2/3
    Review of L. 4; Tragedy; Euripides; Unit I Essay Topics
    45-62; Bring 3 discussion questions to class
    6. R 2/5
    Review of L. 5; Medea; Writing about drama
    Write a prospectus for Unit I Essay
    7. T 2/10
    Theater on film: Hamlet

    Unit II
    Renaissance and Restoration Drama

    8. R 2/12
    Free write; Renaissance performance theory
    258-65; Bring 3 discussion questions to class; Unit I Essay due
    9. T 2/17
    Review of L. 8; Shakespeare
    182-203; suggested reading: 149-70
    10. R 2/19
    Review of L. 9; Hamlet
    203-13; Bring 3 discussion questions to class
    11. T 2/24
    Review of L. 10; Hamlet
    213-28; Response #2: What morals, if any, does Hamlet portray?
    12. R 2/26
    Review of L. 11; Restoration performance theory; Act I of The Rover
    NEW: 340-46; 381-93; Response #3: How does Restoration performance theory differ from Classical and Renaissance performance theory? Suggested reading: 269-82
    13. T 3/2
    Review of L. 12; Aphra Behn; The Rover
    346-71
    14. R 3/4
    Review of L. 13; The Restoration Actress; Midterm Study Questions
    393-99; Bring 3 discussion questions to class
    15. T 3/9
    Review of L. 14; Midterm Review
    Prepare Study Questions
    16. R 3/11
    Midterm
    Have a nice Spring Break!
    Unit III
    Modern theater

    17. T 3/23
    Modern Theater; Henrik Ibsen, A Doll House I
    421-47
    18. R 3/25
    Review of L. 17; Ibsen II; Nineteenth-Century Performance Theory
    588-602; Bring 3 discussion questions to class; Suggested reading 403-20
    19. T 3/30
    Review of L. 18; Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage and Her Children
    505-24
    20. R 4/1
    Review of L. 19; Brecht II
    525-34
    21. T 4/6
    Review of L. 20; Twentieth-Century Performance Theory
    602-15; Response #4: Compare and contrast Brecht and Artaud's concept of the purpose of performance.
    22. R 4/8 Review of L. 21; Colonialism; Multiculturalism and Critical Theory (936): Fanon; Critique by Gates (771)
    921-34; Bring 3 discussion questions to class; Suggested Reading: 768-75
    23. T 4/13
    Review of L. 22; Caryl Churchill, Cloud Nine; Unit III Essay Topics
    556-72
    24. R 4/15
    Review of L. 23; Churchill II
    573-83; Response #5: (Suggested topic) How do ethnicity, gender, and/or class relate to notions of performance? Or: choose your own topic
    25. T 4/20
     Portfolio Assignment; Towards a definition of tragedy and the actor; Nietzsche; Postcolonial performance theory 584-88, 935-45; Write a prospectus for Unit III Essay
    26. R 4/22
    Review of L. 25; Theater Review Presentation; Peer review and discussion of Unit III Essay
    Bring 2 copies of Unit III Essay to class
    27. T 4/27
    Theater on film
    Unit III Essay due
    28. R 4/29
    Review of Course GoalsPresentation of theater reviews
    Portfolio (Cover letter, Theater Review, 2 revised responses, revision of Unit I Essay [optional], discussion questions [optional]) due
    No class on T 5/4
    Papers can be collected R 5/6 11:30-1 in 324 Dickson or requested in Fall 04 office hours; final papers will no longer be available after 10/31/04. Have a great summer break!