I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The student will explore performance and production style and practices of both the traditional Asian theatre and the contemporary theatrical trends and influences.
II. PREREQUISITES:
"C" grade or better in ENG 105
III. CREDIT TOWARDS GRADUATION:
This course has been approved as a Liberal Studies course in the "Aesthetic and Humanistic Inquiry" block, for the Asian Studies Minor, and as a "Core" requirements for a Theatre major.
IV. REQUIRED TEXTS:
V. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Lectures will be interspersed with audio/visual and, when possible, live presentations.
VI. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
A. To expose the western student to, and broaden their appreciation of, the theatrical arts of Asia.
B. To teach the history and origins of the major forms of Asian theatre.
C. To teach the terminology and specific production practices related to Asian theatrical forms.
D. To identify the similarities and the differences between the various Asian theatrical forms.
E. To explore the influences of western style theatre on Asian theatrical practices, and the significant influences of Asian theatre on the west.
VII. EVALUATION:
A. There will be two sets study questions worth a total of 240 points and a final exam over the general lectures and reading worth 100 points.
B. The student will complete and turn in eight (8) "Play Review Sheets" for eight of the twelve plays we will read and discuss in class. These are worth 20 points each for a total of 160 points. 10 extra credit points will be given for each additional "Play Review Sheet" handed in for any additional Asian plays read during the term. Extra credit can be given only after all of the required work has been completed.
C. Project and Presentation:
The student or groups of students may choose one of the following creative projects and oral presentations (or develop your own project idea - must be approved by your instructor):
· write a one act play based on an Asian play style like that of Noh, Kabuki, Beijing Opera or other Asian theatre forms.
· perform before the class (group or individual project are welcome) an interpretation of a scene (or scenes) from one of the reading list plays.
· build a detailed, colored model of a traditional performance space from China, Japan or other Asian country.
· design a makeup and a costume design based on traditional Chinese or Japanese theatre styles (for a western or an Asian play), or design a scenic design based on traditional Chinese Beijing Opera or Japanese Kabuki theatre styles (for a western or an Asian play).
· The creative project grade will be based on the project (scene, model, play, etc.), on the in class presentation of your project, and a three page essay (must have a title page and bibliography) describing your project and documenting your research. A minimum of four (4) references in your bibliography is required. The creative project is worth 100 points.
· Group projects are acceptable as long as each student in the group has a clearly defined role to play in the project. Each student in the group will need to turn in their own three page essay, as defined above. It should include a discussion of their individual contribution (research, etc.)to the project.
Or the student may choose one of the following topics for a research project and oral presentation (or develop a topic of your own - must be approved by your instructor):
· Discuss one of the theatrical styles of the several Asian countries discussed in the Brandon text.
· Compare and contrast western style opera or Theatre to traditional Asian opera.
· Discuss the influences of Asian theatre on 20th Century dramatists like Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud.
· Discuss the references to traditional Asian religious beliefs in the assigned Plays. What effect do those beliefs have on the characters, and how do they influence the out come of the play.
· Discuss the rise of modern theatre in China, Japan or other Asian country.
· Discuss the contributions of Mei Lanfang to traditional Chinese opera.
· Compare and contrast Japanese Noh and/or Kabuki theatre to traditional Chinese opera.
· Compare and contrast Noh theatre to Kabuki theatre.
· Discuss the traditional structure of a Nohgaku program.
· Compare and contrast the Noh and Kyogen genres.
· Discuss puppetry in China, Japan or other parts of Asia.
· Discuss the Contribution of Zeami Motokiyo to Japanese Noh Theatre.
· Compare and contrast the Indian Sanskrit play The Toy Cart to the traditional plays of China or Japan.
· Discuss Indian Sanskrit drama, its history, style and structure.
· The research project grade will be based on the in class presentation of your research project, and a three page essay (plus a title page and bibliography) describing your project and documenting your research. A minimum of four (4) references in your bibliography is required. The research project is worth 100 points.
E. Grading:
|
Study Questions/Final Exam |
340 pts |
|
Play review Sheets |
160 pts |
|
Project/Presentation |
100 pts |
|
Total |
600 pts |
600-540 pts. = A
539-480 pts. = B
479-420 pts = C
419-360 pts. = D
359-0 = F
VIII. POLICIES:
A. Plagiarism and Cheating- A student deemed guilty of plagiarism and cheating will be give a grade of "F" for that assignment, examination or paper associated with the plagiarism and cheating. The instructor may also recommend to the Dean that the student be barred from further attendance of the class and be given a failing grade for the course.
B. Every student enrolled in a Theatre Division course will be allowed three (3) "sick days" or unexcused absences. Beyond this limit of three absences, the student's final grade will be lowered a one-third letter grade for every unexcused absence. (i.e. an "A-" would become a "B+".) Emergencies, deaths in the family or severe illnesses must be accompanied by proper documentation in order to be excused. Arriving late to class or leaving class early will be considered an absence. Students must provide an institutional form to the professor for official University event absences. Students with ten (10) MWF absences or six (6) TTH absences will be administratively dropped with an "F."
IX. CLASS SCHEDULE:
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY