SYLLABUS FOR THEATRE 130 -
SCRIPT ANALYSIS
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND
FRIDAY
Section 01 10:20 to
11:30
INSTRUCTOR: Bob Yowell,
Ph.D.
OFFICE HOURS MON/WED/FRI/
9:30 TO 10:20
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An intensive study of how to research and analyze a play script. Study of play
analysis theory from Aristotle to today.
COURSES OBJECTIVES:
1. To help the student learn how to study
and understand a play as they prepare for production.
2. To help the student learn all of the
elements of a good play, and how they go together to form a good play script.
3. To give the student an opportunity to
express verbally his/her ideas about possible meanings and ways of producing
plays.
4. To give the student an opportunity to
express their ideas about understanding play scripts in formal written papers.
5. To give the student a vocabulary that
will help him/her as they work in teams with other artists to create live
theatre.
REQUIRED TEXT:
SCRIPT ANALYSIS: FOR ACTORS, DIRECTORS,
AND DESIGNERS by James Thomas
1992
PLAY FOR THE THEATRE: A DRAMA ANTHOLOGY,
by Oscar Brockett 1996
ATTENDANCE:
Student attendance requirements are the official NAU requirements as set out on
page 62 of the NAU Undergraduate Catalogue l995-97. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY.
Roll will be taken and points deducted from your final grade for each unexcused
absence. Three unexcused absences may result in a failing grade. Make-up work
will be allowed only with instructor approval. The instructor must be notified
before all institutional, medical or personal absences. Points will be deducted
for tardiness.
STUDENT GRADES WILL BE BASED ON:
1. Class Participation - class
readings/exercises 20% 100 points
2. Mid-term
Exam 10% 50 points
3. Short
Papers 20% 100 points
4. Reaction Papers to NAU
Productions 10% 50 points
4. Term
Paper 20% 100 points
5. Final
Exam 20% 100 points
Total 500 points
GRADING STANDARDS
I grade on a scale, not on a curve. There will be 500 possible points, 90% (450)
and above is an "A", 80% (400) and above is a "B", 70% (350) and above is a "C",
60% (300) and above is a "D", if you have less than 60% (300) points you will
fail. If everyone in the class earns an "A" everyone will receive an "A". My
goal is to provide a learning opportunity for each student to earn an "A"
in the course. There will be an opportunity to earn bonus points.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Attend Class and participate in
discussions, readings, and
all exercise.
2. Take all quizzes and tests.
3. Write short analysis papers.
4. Attend plays produced by NAU- Lend
Me A Tenor
and Tartuffe and write a
reaction paper.
5. Write a final paper or create a
Performance Piece (Performance Piece, created by you, might be centered on
an event or character from history, literature, or your personal
life. (consult with instructor for approval). The Performance Piece
must employ all that you have learned about Script Analysis. A written
analysis must accompany your Performance Piece.
If you are having trouble in this class
come see me. Don't wait until the last minute, as it may be too late to help
you as it relates to class work.
POLICIES AND STANDARDS:
Normally, assignments not submitted by the established deadline (date/time) will
not be accepted and a "0" score will be recorded for that assignment. In
documented evidence of illness, personal tragedy or institutional excused, or at
the discretion of the instructor, makeup work may be allowed. Plagiarism,
collaboration, fabricated sources/information or other academic dishonesty will
result in a "0" for the assignment, or a reduction of one letter grade for the
course. Errors in spelling, style, form, or grammar may result in a reduction
of up to one letter grade for the assignment.
All written assignments are to be word
processed unless you have prior permission from the instructor. You are
required to return, and I will keep all written work and tests until you have
received your final grade and are satisfied with it. Any questions you have
regarding a particular test or assignment should be brought to my attention
promptly. The instructor reserves the right to add to, or subtract from, the
list of assignment as necessary to meet the course objectives.
DAILY SCHEDULE
1. Monday, August 26 - Introduction to
Class
Narrative vs. Action
2. Wednesday, August 28
How to Read a Play
3. Friday, August 30
Elements of a Play
Oedipus Rex
4. Monday, September 2, Holiday, No Class
5. Wednesday, September 4
What is Dramatic Structure?
Oedipus Rex
6. Friday,September 6
Dramatic Structure
What is Formalist Script Analysis?
Oedipus Rex
7. Monday, September 9
Analytic Reading and Logical Thinking
Oedipus Rex
8. Wednesday, September 11
Foundations of Plot: Given
Circumstances: Time and Place
9. Friday, September 13
Given Circumstances: Society and
Economics
Hamlet
10. Monday, September 16
Given Circumstances: Politics and Law
& Intellect and Culture
Hamlet
11. Wednesday, September 18
Given Circumstances: Spirituality and
The World of the Play
Hamlet
12. Friday, September 20 DEADLINE TO
DROP
Foundations of the Plot: Background
Story
Hamlet
13. Monday, September 23
Foundations: Technique and
Identification
14. Wednesday, September 25
Plot: Physical and Psychological
Action - Physical Action
Tartuffe
15. Friday, September 27
Plot: Psychological Action -The
Internal Plot
Tartuffe
16. Monday, September 30
Plot: Progressions and Structure
Tartuffe
17. Wednesday, October 2
First Paper Due on Plot
Tartuffe
18. Friday, October 4
Character: Objectives and Dramatic
Action
A Doll's House
19. Monday, October 7
Character: Conflict and Willpower
A Doll's House
20. Wednesday, October 9
Character: Values and Personality
Traits
A Doll's House
21. Friday, October 11
Character: Complexity and
Relationships
A Doll's House
22. Monday, October 14
Character
How to Present a Full Written
Analysis
23. Wednesday, October 16
Idea - Words and Character
The Hairy Ape
24. Friday, October 18
Idea - Plot and Idea
25. Monday, October 21
Dialogue - Words and Sentences
Second Paper Due on Character
The Hairy Ape
26. Wednesday, October 23 MID-TERM
EXAM
Dialogue - Speeches - Special
Qualities
27. Friday, October 25 - MID SEMESTER
HOLIDAY-NO CLASS
Tempo, Rhythm, and Mood
28. Monday, October 28
Tempo, Rhythm and Mood
Reaction paper Due on NAU production
of Lend Me A Tenor
29. Wednesday, October 30
The Style of The Play: Given
Circumstances
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
30. Friday, November 1
Style: Background Story and Plot
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
31. Monday, November 4
Style: Character and Idea
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Third Paper Due on Idea, or Dialogue,
or Tempo, Rhythm and Mood
32. Wednesday, November 6
Style: Dialogue and Mood
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
33. Friday, November 8
Genres and Style of Drama
Tragedy
34. Monday, November 11
Comedy - Happy Days
35. Wednesday, November 13
Realism - Happy Days
Writing an Analysis Paper on a Play
36. Friday, November 15
Melodrama and Farce
Roosters
37. Monday, November 18
Backwards and Forwards - by David
Ball
Roosters
Reaction paper on NAU's production of
Tartuffe
38. Wednesday, November 20
Backwards and Forwards - by David
Ball
Roosters
39. Friday, November 22
Open
40. Monday, November 25
Review
41. Wednesday, November 27
Review
42. Friday, November 29 THANKSGIVING
HOLIDAY NOVEMBER 28 & 29
Review - Final Paper or Performance
Piece Due
43. Monday, December 2 through Friday
December 6 - Reading Week
Review for Final
Final - Monday December 9 10:00 to
12:00