Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Theatre History: Realism, Post-Realistic, and Contemporary Theatre (Face-to-Face)

THEA 3723-02

Course: THEA 3723-02
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 12018

Course Description

Course will cover the period from 18th Century through American and European Contemporary. Course modules are 18th Century England, France, and Italy; early 19th century Germany; 19th century Romanticism; Sturm and Drang; Melodrama; and late 19th century theatre–Realism vs. Spectacle. The course will also cover early 20th century theatre–reactions against Realism, mid-20th century theatre–the rise of American drama and musical theatre and late 20th century theatre: the rise of Hispanic, Asian, African-American and women’s theatre. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): ENGL 2010 and THEA 1713 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts


Required Texts:


Living Theatre: History of Theatre
by Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb (6th or 7th edition


Recommended Texts:


Norton Anthology of Drama
(volume two, either 1st or 2nd edition), edited by Gainor, Garner, and Puchner 


MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
(7th edition, 2009) 

Learning Outcomes


Successful students will complete this course demonstrating competency in the following theatrical learning outcomes. These outcomes will be reinforced through lectures, in-class activities, engaged learning both in and out of class, written assignments which demonstrate competency and offer opportunity for reflection, and presentation of projects in class. Students’ efforts will be assessed via a number of interrelated assignments and projects


 


Learning Outcomes:

  1. Communication. Students. will be able to talk and write knowledgeably about Western historical eras and theatre genealogies
  2. Creative and Critical Thinking: Students will learn to read material critically and use their new understandings of theatre history to evaluate works and to enhance their creative pursuits in the fields of performance, design, and direction.
  3. Inquiry and Analysis: Students will learn to form research questions, discover and analyze source materials, craft a coherent argument and support their findings with well-cited reliable sources.
  4. Information Literacy: Students will master an understanding of major historical eras, the theatrical themse, forms and design elements which are common to those eras, 
  5. Intercultural Knowledge and Competence. Students will develop an understanding of cultural and historical contexts and identities, and their importance when analyzing works of art or historical sources.

Course Requirements

I believe the prerequisite is ENG 2010

Course Outline


Assignment Outline/Class Schedule

Calendar

DATE



TOPIC



Reading



Assignments Due


Th 1.08 | Syllabus/ Introductions |   | 
T 1.13 | Theatre Historiography | Postlewait & Canning, “Representing the Past: An Introduction on Five Themes” | Written response: What is the central argument?2 QCQsHow might this be useful?
Th1.15 | English Restoration | Ch. 9 | 3 QCQs
T 1.20 | English Restoration | The Country Wife | 2 QCQs,
Th 1.22 | English Restoration, Personal Research Narrative  | The Country Wife cont | One page Personal Research Narrative
T 1.27 | 18th Century Theatre | The London Merchant | 3 QCQs
Th 1.29 | Analyzing Sources |   | Bring in a source that addresses questions
T 2.3 | 1800-1875 | Ch. 12 - Be ready to play the Famous Actors of the 18th and 19th Century Game! | Three Research questions
Th 2.5 | 1800-1875 | Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom | 3 QCQs
T 2.10 | 1875-1915 | Ch. 13 | Final Research Questions
Th 2.12  | 1875-1915 | Each Group will read something Different | #11 Play Presentations (50 pts)
T 2.17 | 1915-1950, Methodology | Ch. 14 | 
Th 2.19 | 1915-1950 | Machinal | sound effects
T 2.24 | History and Methodology  | TBD | Draft List of Sources
Th 2.26 | Theatres after 1950 | Ch. 15 | 
T 3.03 | Research Day |   | QCQs
Th 3.05 | Theatres after 1950 - Beckett | Cloud Nine | QCQs for sources. Bring paper to class.  Groups assigned for Angels in America projects
| SPRING BREAK |  | QCQs
T 3.17 |  Research presentations |   | Paper outlines due
Th 3.19 | Contemporary Theatre: The Americas | Theatre and Race | 2 QCQs
T 3.24 | Contemporary Theatre: The Americas | The America Play | QCQs
Th 3.26 | Contemporary Theatre: Musical Theatre |   | First Draft Due: in-class peer reviews
T 3.31 | Contemporary Theatre: Musical Theatre |   | Rewrites submitted
Th 4.2  | Contemporary Theatre: The Americas | Angels in America | Scene presentations
T 4.7 | Paper Workshop |   | 
Th 4.09 | Contemporary Theatre: Global | Ch. 17 | 
T 4.14  | Contemporary Theatre: Global | Death and the King’s Horseman | QCQs
Th 4.16 |   | Performance Art/Devised TheatreThe Couple in the Cage:https://www.artandeducation.net/classroom/video/244623/coco-fusco-and-guillermo-gmez-pea-the-couple-in-the-cage-two-undiscovered-amerindians-visit-the-west | 
|  |  | 
W4.27 | Final 3:00 pm  - 4:50 | Zoom in and I'll give you the final questions/links

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

You will lose 10% of the grade on the assignment for each day it is late.

Attendance Policy


Departmental Attendance Policy:
In all theatre and dance classes, attendance is crucial. A MAXIMUM OF FOUR MISSED CLASSES is all that is permitted. Each absence after that will lower your grade. Zoom attendance will count for all classes as long as the instructor receives notification prior to the class that the student plans to attend on zoom.


Note: Absence from class or rehearsals when group partners are depending on you will lower your grade, even within the limit of the two missed classes


TARDINESS:
Arrival after attendance is taken will be counted as 1/2 of an absence. If you are more than 5 minutes late you will be considered absent. 


In the event of an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to make up the missed work. Use your fellow students as a resource for this. Communicate with the instructor BEFORE you miss class.


Course Fees

No fees

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.