NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
STEINHARDT SCHOOL OF CULTURE, EDUCATION
AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS
PROGRAM IN EDUCATIONAL THEATRE
FALL 2012
MASTERS OF MODERN DRAMA
MPAET-UE 1057.001
Mondays 6:45-8:25pm, Waverly 367
Instructor: Sara Simons
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: By appointment
Course Objectives
This course is designed to give students a thorough understanding of one method of script analysis for
theatrical production through exploring acclaimed contemporary dramatic texts from a variety of genres.
Class discussions will center on this analysis method and will aid in the contemplation of production
concepts. Students will be able to thoughtfully read, analyze, and develop a point of view on each play we
encounter. The course will also allow students to investigate the lives of the playwrights, uncovering
historical, cultural and social factors that impact the work. Throughout the course, we will ask ourselves
what it means to be a “master” of the modern dramatic form, a question that will be rooted in our careful
analysis of each play.
Required Texts
The following texts are required for the course. Most of these plays are available at the NYU Bookstore.
You may obtain any edition of the texts.
Albee, Edward. The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?
Baker, Annie. The Aliens
*Black, Dustin Lance. 8
Brecht, Bertolt. Mother Courage and Her Children
*Dean, Gabriel Jason. The Transition of Doodle Pequeño
Fornes, Maria Irene. Fefu and Her Friends
Hansberry, Lorraine. A Raisin in the Sun
Hwang, David Henry. Yellowface
Norris, Bruce. Clybourne Park
Nottage, Lynn. Ruined
Rivera, Jose. Marisol
Ruhl, Sarah. The Clean House
* = posted on Blackboard
Projects
Playwright Biography/Context Presentation
Each week, a student will present a biography of the playwright being discussed for the day and any
historical, cultural, social, and theatrical context for the play being discussed. On the first day of class,
students will sign up for a playwright to present. Presentations should last approximately 10 minutes.
Annotated Bibliography
The presentations will be informed by outside research. On the day of your presentation, you will submit
a hard copy of an annotated bibliography to the instructor and post the annotated bibliography on
Blackboard as well. This document should include 5-8 reliable outside sources, which may include
newspaper articles, books, interviews, podcasts, and websites, among others. You may not cite
Wikipedia. Of these 5-8 sources, there should be a variety of source types, and at least two should be
scholarly articles from peer-reviewed journals. Scholarly sources may be found through Google Scholar,
JSTOR, Project MUSE, or similar academic searches. Annotated bibliographies must be in MLA format.
Links to sample annotated bibliographies can be found under the External Links tab on Blackboard.
If your play is relatively recent, there may not be many sources available on your play or playwright. If
your search reveals that this is the case, your annotated bibliography may focus on a related topic (ex:
addressing gender and sexuality in Theatre for Young Audiences; barriers for young female playwrights,
etc).
Weekly Blackboard Posts
For each play we discuss, all students will be required to post in the designated thread on Blackboard,
identifying recurring visual patterns, aural patterns and ideational motifs. These posts may be in the form
of bulleted lists or short papers and must include reference to specific moments in the text, including
scene and page number. Students may also include any other reactions to the play, as long as these
aspects of analysis are included. Blackboard posts must be made before class; late submissions will not
receive credit.
Presentation and final paper
Each student will be required to present a directing or design concept based on his/her analysis of one of
the plays discussed in class. This work will be the basis for the 8-10 page final paper. The presentations
will take place on December 12 and in the final exam period for the class – all students will be required to
attend both class sessions. Students will sign up for a presentation date, and will submit the paper before
their final presentation period. Presentations should not exceed 10 minutes but must be a thorough
presentation of concept. Papers will present the complete analysis of that play, pertinent research, clearly
articulated point of view and the rationale for the directing/design concept. The final paper is due in class
on Wednesday, December 12.
Grading Policy
Playwright Biography/Context Presentation: 15%
Annotated Bibliography: 15%
Weekly Blackboard Posts: 15%
Class participation: 20%
Final presentation: 15%
Final paper: 20%
Attendance and Participation Policy
Participation points will be awarded for each class, and an absence will result in a grade of zero points for
that class. I expect that you will read each play thoroughly before class and come prepared to ask
questions, engage in discussion, and listen thoughtfully. Students who are unprepared will receive lower
participation grades. Absences for religious holidays will be excused and will not affect your grade;
please let me know ahead of time if you will be missing class for a religious observance.
Academic Honesty
The Steinhardt policy on academic integrity may be found here:
http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/policies/academic_integrity. You are responsible for knowing university policy
on academic honesty, including plagiarism, submitting the same work for two academic courses, or other
academic fraud. If you have any questions about this, please contact me immediately. Any instance of
academic dishonesty will result in an academic penalty and a referral to Student Affairs.
Community Participation
Please let us know if you are participating in a performance or event so that we can come support you!
Note
The plays in this course cover a broad range of topics, some of which may be controversial or disturbing.
In particular, Ruined addresses sexual violence as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo
and may be upsetting to survivors of war or sexual assault. Please contact me if you believe that you will
have difficulty attending class for this discussion, and I will try to work out alternative arrangements with
you. Also, please remember that trained counselors are available to talk 24/7 at the NYU Wellness
Exchange at 212-443-9999.
Course Itinerary (Subject to Change)
September 10
Introduction, Syllabus discussion, Method for play analysis
September 17
Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun
September 24
Annie Baker, The Aliens
October 1
Edward Albee, The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?
October 8
José Rivera, Marisol
October 15
*Fall Break: No Classes Scheduled*
October 22
Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage and Her Children
October 29
Lynn Nottage, Ruined
November 5
Gabriel Jason Dean, The Transition of Doodle Pequeño
November 12
Dustin Lance Black, 8
November 19
David Henry Hwang, Yellowface
November 26
Maria Irene Fornes, Fefu and Her Friends
December 3
Sarah Ruhl, The Clean House
December 10
Bruce Norris, Clybourne Park
December 12
Presentations. Final Papers Due.
(Wednesday)
Finals Period
Presentations and wrap-up of class
Please note: Readings of “8” will occur in NYC throughout the semester, and you are encouraged to
attend. There will be a reading at NYU Law School at 7 pm on Thursday, October 4th. More information
on NYC-based readings can be found at http://www.8theplay.com.
Happy Winter Break!