Students will gain an understanding of the world’s history and themselves through learning how theatre operates to entertain, educate, and reflect the past. Attending and analyzing various productions will enhance student’s roles as knowledgeable audience members.

Required Texts: There is no text for the class, instead you will be assigned readings and videos in Canvas. Because there is no text, I will expect you to read all the instructions and assignments thoroughly and watch all the videos carefully for everything in class. That's fair, right? Think how much money you saved by not buying a textbook! Usually I can tell by your homework and your email/text questions if you've read everything carefully.

Required Play Attendance: You will be required to attend live theatre productions during this semester. You can see the current season of productions at the Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration Department website.

Required Play Viewing: You will also be required to watch several filmed versions of plays. The plays are sometimes accessible here in Canvas through a streaming service called Kanopy. Sometimes plays are available via the Digital Theatre+ database that is accessed via the SUU Library. There are no additional charges for these services. You may also need to rent a play or two online. I will let you know in class and Canvas which location you will use to watch any given play. Please note: streaming services often drop things with little or no notice so I will request your patience in advance if we have to suddenly adjust a module at the last minute.

Some of the plays/films we might watch include:

• Kinky Boots
• Death of a Salesman or The Glass Menagerie
• Come From Away
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
• Much Ado About Nothing
• Peter Pan Goes Wrong
• The Lion
• Julius Caesar
• Sweet Charity

All play selections are subject to change based on availability.

1. Students will be able to identify how theatre as an art form entertains, educates, and reflects the past. (Critical Thinking/Communication)
2. Students will be able to articulate how theatre helps them recognize and value different human perspectives and experiences. (Creative Thinking/Communication)
3. Students will be able to offer examples of theatre as historically significant works of art. (Communication)
4. Students will be critical audience members of live theatre through a practiced ability to discriminate thematic elements of performances and articulately deconstruct ideas as presented in performance. (Creative Thinking)

Students will be assessed on the above through assignments and quizzes. Students will also be able to demonstrate, and have completed examples of, each of the objectives above through written work.

Everything assigned in class will have a point value. At the end of the semester all accumulated points will be weighed against the total number of possible points. The resulting percentage will determine your grade.

Grading scale:

Graders & Teaching Assistants: I will be using graders and teaching assistants in this class to help manage the large volume of assignments. Each of these graders is FERPA trained and knowledgeable about the course subject. They each have completed multiple semester of university level writing. You are expected to treat the graders with dignity and professionalism. If you are every concerned that you got an undeserved grade, you are allowed to ask me to regrade that assignment personally. I will never lower your grade for asking for a regrade.

Papers and quizzes: There will be regular reflection papers and/or quizzes due throughout the semester. These will allow reflection on concepts and productions studied. Pop quizzes, if used, will be at the very beginning of a class period and cannot be made up.

AI Writing Policy: Use of AI (artificial intelligence) writing programs is allowed in this class within the guidelines outlined below.

• AI cannot write your papers for you. It can, however, be a tool for you to use. Papers in this class will ask for your personal analysis and opinion and will also ask you to incorporate in-class discussions. AI cannot do either of those things. As a result, choosing to use AI may not always be the most efficient use of your time. For each essay, you should carefully consider whether or not you want to use AI writing tools.
• The same minimum standards will be in place for each essay regardless of whether or not you are using AI in your writing process. Essays that fail to meet the minimum standards specified will be marked as incomplete. 
• Grading for assignments that use AI will be partially based on your ability to harness and proficiently utilize this technology ethically and responsibly. For example, using AI to help organize your thoughts, create outlines, or to help proofread your papers is a perfectly acceptable use of these tools.
• AI is prone to writing factually incorrect statements, inventing fake quotes from real sources, and inventing entirely fake sources. It is your responsibility to double-check that any AI-assisted work you submit is free from these errors. Work containing factual errors or fictitious quotes/sources will be graded accordingly. It is your responsibility to verify this information before submitting your work. 
• If you use AI in your writing, it must be cited. As there is no penalty for using AI appropriately, there is no benefit to lying about or trying to conceal your use of AI in this class. Concealing or lying about your use of AI will result in your assignment receiving a zero. 

This course will include: 1) Readings; 2) quizzes; 3) critical literary analysis terms; 4) assignments and essays to practice critical analysis; 5) written analyses of theatre productions; 6) viewing plays and videos online and in person; and 7) a final paper.

Topics taught in this class will include, but are not limited to, units on:

• The role of the audience
• Critical analysis terms and concepts
• Tragedy
• Comedy
• Tragicomedy
• Theatre roots
• Greek theatre
• Elizabethan theatre
• Acting
• Directing
• Design

It is your responsibility to look at all modules & assignments in a timely manner. There will be due dates for all work. Completion of all work by the assigned due date is expected. If you wait until the day something is due to look at the assignment you will not have time to complete it.

Extra Credit: I do allow extra credit. Here is how it works. Get an ‟Extra Credit Proposal” form from the Extra Credit Module. On this form you will be asked to propose a project for extra credit. Included in this proposal will be a description of your project, anticipated hours it will take to complete, due dates, and proposed point value of the project. You will return the form to me and I will meet with you to accept, reject, or adapt your proposal. Be prepared to logically defend your proposal as a worthwhile exercise and deserving of extra credit. This will require that you put some thought into the proposal. All forms must be submitted to me on or before the deadline in Canvas. I will not consider extra credit proposals after that.

Late Work: Late work is generally not be accepted unless you have made arrangements with me prior to the time it is due but I know that "life happens" so I will leave assignments open for a couple days after the due date then they will lock. These extra days are called "buffer days" and you will receiver full credit if things are submitted during this time. Once something is locked, you will not be able to turn it in and will not receive points. Please note that viewing quizzes will not have buffer days.

Academic Integrity: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you EVER cut and paste information you find online and you should never turn in the same work as a classmate. I want to read your ideas. If you use outside sources to help you develop your ideas that is fine, just cite your sources. Please read the rules for using AI above.

Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. You are expected to have read and understood the current issue of the student handbook (published by Student Services) regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual property policy, for information about procedures and about what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Students should understand intellectual property and should have a clear understanding on what constitutes plagiarism. If you ever have any questions regarding these issues please consult with me.

Instructor's Response Time & Feedback

Large classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the amount of time specified below. Feedback is an important part of learning so please look for feedback on your assignments that is provided. To find feedback, look review the tutorials below.

It is my goal to:

• Respond to student messages within 2 business days
• Provide grades and feedback within 2 - 7 days from the due date. Please be aware that TAs will also be grading. If you ever have a concern about a grade given by a TA, you may request that I review the grade.

How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor?

How do I view annotation feedback comments from my instructor?

Attendance and Participation: Attendance at all classes is expected. If you are absent more than three times during the semester your grade may be lowered. If you are habitually tardy, your grade may also be lowered.

Content Disclaimer: Unlike movies, plays do not have ratings. Some productions may include mature themes, strong language, or subject matter that is personally sensitive to you. My intention is not to shock, offend, or challenge anyone’s belief system; rather, our purpose is to study the art form. You will be required to attend all assigned productions, view all assigned films, and be prepared to discuss and write about them. I will provide a general overview of each play/film beforehand, but because sensitivities vary from person to person, I cannot guarantee advance notice of every potentially sensitive element. Please also keep in mind that each work reflects the time and social context in which it was created, and may therefore present ideas or biases that feel outdated or problematic today.

Undergraduate Writing Center: I would also strongly encourage you to utilize the Undergraduate Writing Center for written work in this class.

Delivery Modality: Hybrid. Class will be mostly in person but there will also be days with asynchronous projects in Canvas when we will not meet in person. I will always give you advanced notice about the schedule.

Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Fine Arts

Point of Interest: If you have any questions or problems that you would like to discuss with me, please feel free to reach out to me. I am always available to you. I believe that I am not only your teacher but a resource you can and should utilize for success in class. I believe we are partners in the education process and can learn from each other.