Mod. Drama Spring 2010

Modern European Drama (Spring 2010)

Modern Drama: Ibsen to O'Neill (Spring 2010)
M 5:30-8 in UN 3012 and online on Blackboard and Elluminate. This is a hybrid course, meaning it is conducted both in-person and online. Please consult the syllabus for dates and instructions regarding online meetings.
http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/mds10.html
<http://english.montclair.edu>

Prof. Wendy Nielsen
Office Hours: M 4-5:30, W 10-11:30, & by appt. in Dickson Hall 352, except on days I teach online for this and other classes. Follow office hour updates on Blackboard/Announcements.
Email: nielsenw@mail . . .

Texts available at University Bookstore (please use assigned translations):

Henrik Ibsen, Ibsen: Four Major Plays, vol. I (trans. R. Fjelde, Signet): A Doll’s House; Hedda Gabler
August Strindberg, Miss Julie and Other Plays (trans. M. Robinson, Oxford): Miss Julie, The Father
Elsa Bernstein (Ernst Rosmer [pseud]), Twilight: Drama in Five Acts, MLA (trans. Susanne Kord, ISBN 0873529286)
George Bernard Shaw, Plays by George Bernard Shaw (ed. Eric Bentley, Signet, ISBN 9780451529442): Mrs. Warren's Profession (30-98 only)
Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening (trans. J. Franzen, Faber & Faber, 978-0865479784)
Luigi Pirandello, Six Characters in Search of an Author (trans. E. Bentley, Signet)
Jean Genet, The Maids and Deathwatch (trans. B. Frechtman, Grove/Atlantic)

Additional Texts Available on Blackboard http://blackboard.montclair.edu/:

Theater Reviews
Brecht, "Epic Theater"
Artaud, excerpt from Theater of Cruelty

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), Shaw (Mrs. Warren's Profession), 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. Satisfies 1b, 3 and TE 3c (drama), 4a(Multi), and 4e (Class)

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%:

Attendance policy: Students must attend a majority of class sessions in order to pass the class; long-term and repeated absences are unacceptable. Your first 3 absences are automatically excused and need no explanation please. Beyond that, you will need a note from your physician or the Dean of Students in order to excuse an absence for medical reasons or family death. Attendance is a part of your Participation Grade, which is also determined by your active and enthusiastic participation in class discussions; original and thought-provoking discussion questions; and informal writing assignments. Please make a friend in class to cover material missed while absent.

Discussion questions (called DISC. below) must be ORIGINAL and include 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. 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 not mandatory but are taken into consideration for your Participation Grade. Post discussion questions on Blackboard/Discussion Board and bring a copy to class if we are meeting there.

#3: In-class Midterm (Unit I)--30%: No make-up dates!

#4: Performance Paper (incl. participation in at least 1 of our 2 Process Writing workshops)-- 30% (assignment TBA)

#5: Journal Portfolio (critical intro., 5 originals + at least 1 revision that highlights your editing skills)--30%: Students will write at least one entry for nearly every text we read. For a close analysis, copy a key passage (3-5 lines) and then write a 1-2 page close analysis and argue for its meaning and importance (250-400 words: word count begins after the quote). Creative responses should likewise focus on a specific textual passage, although may fit this citation in the text elsewhere. You are encouraged to use these entries as an opportunity to learn how to track key themes, techniques, or issues in a literary text. Journals are not officially graded until they are presented in a revised Journal Portfolio (see below), although each time they are collected, I will evaluate them on a preliminary basis, and you can revise this "mini essay" for the Final Journal Portfolio. Unless otherwise indicated, 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 Journal 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 critical intro., 5 or 6 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:

Check = Fine/Good/Very Good (79-88 range): Shows fine understanding of themes and issues in the book. Provides a summary that may need some revision, such as articulating the reader’s position and argument, providing support for assertions, and writing in an academic style.
Check plus = Very Good/Great/Excellent (89-100 range): Shows excellent understanding of the material. Provides a clear and an original analysis that articulates the reader’s position. Needs very little or no revision.
Check minus = Unsatisfactory/Okay (0-78 range): Shows poor understanding of the material. Provides an unclear summary or analysis. Needs a lot of revision in terms of clarity and/or style.

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:

Turn off and put away cell phones, blackberries, and related electronics. Absolutely NO TEXTING or talking on handheld devices ANYTIME in class, including breaks and before class. Laptops should be used to write lecture notes only (not IM'ing, poker playing, etc.). If these policies cannot be followed, you will be asked to leave.
Papers should be no shorter than the length assigned and should be submitted on time as stapled hard copies (no cover pages, loose pages, or folders please; please number pages/paginate). 2 points are deducted from formal writing projects for every class day they are late. With the exception of journals and discussion questions, double space and use twelve-point type, in Times New Roman or CG Times (or 10 pt. in Veranda, etc.).
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 (http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/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. You can see my entire FAQ on plagiarism here: http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/citation.html
Accommodations are always arranged for students with documented disabilities. Please call, email, or see the instructor personally, as well as Services for Students with Disabilities (Linda A. Smith in Morehead Hall 305, X5431).
Please note that I do not discuss grades via email.

Tentative schedule subject to change; please check your Montclair email and <http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/mds10.html> for updates

Date	Class Activities	Homework Due
M 1/25	Course and Student Introduction; Elements of Drama; Anti-Aristotelian Drama	Next Monday's reading assignment is in the cell below
M 2/1	A Doll's House; personae assigned	Read Ibsen, A Doll's House and theater reviews about A Doll's House (Bb/Readings/Theater Reviews: always bring copies to class); DISC. 1: Post at least one discussion question about Doll's House by clicking reply on Blackboard/Discussion Board/Doll's House/Discussion Ques.. These questions might include ones you would pose as an instructor of the class, things you are confused about in the reading, or a mix between the two. 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 not evaluated, are not mandatory, but are taken into consideration for your Participation Grade. Please feel free to respond to other students' queries if you feel inspired to answer; I will take such responses as extra credit for your Participation Grade (and enjoy reading them, of course). Journal #1: Write a close analysis of the passage you think most significant in Doll's House. Bring a copy to class and post your response to Blackboard/Discussion as well.
M 2/8	Hedda Gabler; the New Woman	Read Ibsen, Hedda Gabler and theater reviews; DISC. 2: Post 1 or more questions about Hedda Gabler to Bb/DB/Hedda Gabler
M 2/15 President's Day	Class takes place ONLINE; Strindberg, The Father; Strindberg and Helium	Read Strindberg, The Father and theater reviews; Journal #2: Write a close analysis of the passage you think most significant in Hedda Gabler or The Father, or respond creatively in the voice of your fictional persona. Journals will be evaluated online.
M 2/22	Miss Julie & Naturalist Theater	Read Strindberg, Miss Julie and theater review; Journal #3: Write a close analysis of a significant passage in Miss Julie, or respond creatively in your fictional persona. Bring a copy to class and post your response ot Bb/DB as well.
M 3/1	Twilight; Midterm Review + Tips	Read Bernstein, Twilight; DISC. 3: Post 1 or more questions about Twilight to Bb/DB
M 3/8	Midterm Exam--NO MAKE-UP DATES!	Bring books and page of notes to class
M 3/22	Class takes place ONLINE; Shaw, Mrs. Warren's Profession	Read Shaw, Mrs. Warren's Profession; DISC 4: Post 1 or more questions about Shaw on Bb/DB; Go to Blackboard/Online Classes/3/22 and follow directions for rest of class. Journal #4: Write a close analysis of the passage you think most significant in Shaw, or respond creatively in the voice of your fictional persona. Journals will be evaluated online.
M 3/29	Timeline; Modernism; Dada, Surrealism, etc.; Brecht (epic theater) and Artaud (theater of cruelty) Pirandello, Six Characters	Read Brecht/Artaud; Pirandello, Six Characters; and theater reviews. DISC 5: Post 1 or more questions about Brecht, Artaud, and/or Pirandello on Bb/DB
M 4/5	Review; Class takes place ONLINE; Wedekind, Spring Awakening + Performances	Read Wedekind, Spring Awakening and theater reviews; Journal #5: Write a close analysis of the passage you think most significant in Pirandello or Wedekind, or respond creatively in the voice of your fictional persona. Journals will be evaluated online.
M 4/12	Genet, The Maids; Existentialism; Discussion of Performance Paper	Read all of The Maids, theater reviews and Sartre, intro. to The Maids (7-31); Journal #6: Write a close analysis of the passage you think most significant in Genet or Sartre, or respond creatively in the voice of your fictional persona.
M 4/19	Process Writing #1: Library Tutorial (Sprague 203) and Drafting	Post paper proposal to Blackboard/Discussion Board
M 4/26	Class takes place ONLINE; Process Writing #2: Editing	Post draft work on Blackboard/Discussion Board and/or bring a copy to class. Go to Blackboard/Online Classes/4/26 and follow directions for rest of class.
M 5/3	Performance Paper due	Bring a hard copy of your final draft to class, stapled, paginated/numbered, and w/o any cover pages or folders. Be prepared to give a 5 min. summary of your project to the class; Optional: Participation Packet due (staple/print all discussion questions and online responses); Reviews of plays due (optional: last day to turn in!)
M 5/10	5:30 - 6:15: Final Journal Portfolio due; 6:15 - 7:45: Revise Midterm for New Grade (optional)	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