THE200
Writing Genre Plays
MTWRF, 10:00-11:50am
Otteson Design Studio
Professor Jennifer Dobby
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 262-524-7308
Office Hours: MW 12-1pm, Otteson 105
Required Texts
Tartuffe by Moliere (Public Domain)
Macbeth by William Shakespeare (Public Domain)
The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh
Love Letters by A.R. Gurney
Ladybird by Vassily Sigarev
Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco
Spring’s Awakening by Frank Wedekind
Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets
Readings/Excerpts as Assigned (MyCourses)
Course Description
A practical, workshop-style course in writing 10-minute genre plays. Including a study of basic
playwriting technique/formatting, 10-minute play structure and analysis, and various stylistic modes.
Course Content
This workshop course will examine a variety of stylistic modes: Comedy, Tragedy, Horror/Thriller,
Romance, Naturalism, Surrealism, Expressionism and Agit-Prop. We will look at examples of each style
from film, theatre, literature, music and the visual arts. Through readings, lectures, discussion, in-class
screenings, and student presentations, we will examine the historical context of each mode, and the ways in
which certain artists have created works which are both grounded in dramatic styles and are highly
original. Each student will then write a 10-minute play in each style.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will possess the knowledge and understanding of,
and have the ability to:
1)
Analyze and interpret various literary stylistic modes and genres.
2)
Create and workshop original 10-minute plays which adhere to basic playwriting techniques.
3)
Create and workshop original 10-minute plays which are grounded in dramatic styles.
4)
Direct and produce an original genre play in a Festival environment.
Outline of Written Work
All assignments are due on the dates noted in the course outline. Late work will be penalized.
1)
Students will complete Assignments and various In-Class Exercises. (LO1)
2)
Students will research and present on an assigned genre or stylistic mode. (LO1)
3)
Students will create seven 10-minute plays which display correct playwriting technique and
formatting. (LO2)
4)
Students will create seven 10-minute plays which display a specific genre or stylistic mode. (LO3)
5)
Students will present and direct one original 10-minute genre play in a Festival environment. (LO4)
Grading
Grades for the semester will be determined on the following point system: a total of 1000 points (written
assignments may be resubmitted at the discretion of the instructor):
Assignments/Exercises: 200 points
In-Class Exercises
(8 @ 25 pts) 200
Presentation: 250 points
Genre Presentation
250
10-Minute Play Scripts: 200 points
Comedy
Tragedy
Horror/Thriller
50
Romance
Naturalism
Surrealism/Expressionism
Agit-Prop
Final Project: 150 points
Presentation of 10-Minute Play
50
50
50
50
50
50
150
Participation: 200 points
Attendance/Class Discussions200
Grading Scale:
950 - 1000 = A
900 - 949 = AB
850 - 899 = B
800 - 849 = BC
700- 799
= C
600 - 699 = D
000 - 599 = F
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory. Students will lose 20 points from their participation total for each unexcused
absence; more than two excused absences will result in a 20 point reduction per additional excused
absence. (I will excuse an absence via email only – and the email must be received at least 30 minutes prior
to the class start time.) Arriving more than 5 minutes late to class will result in a 10 point participation
grade reduction. Excessive absences or lateness will result in an overall grade reduction.
Assignments/Late Assignments Policy:
Assignments are due on the date noted in the syllabus. Late work will be penalized at the discretion of the
instructor. Computer difficulties do not excuse late or missing work.
Final Grade Policy:
Students wishing to debate a final grade for this class must do so by email to Professor Dobby prior to
June 15, 2013.
University Policy Statements:
- Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, or any student considering obtaining documentation, should
make an appointment with the Director of Services for Students with Disabilities no later than the first week of class.
- The instructor and the University reserve the right to modify, amend, or change the syllabus (course requirements, grading policy, etc.) as
the curriculum and/or program require(s).
- The Carroll University Academic Integrity Policy is located in your student handbook. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with it. If
a student violates this policy in any way, I reserve the right to impose a sanction of failure on the assignment/assessment or failure in the
course. If you have questions about appropriate citations, please ask.
Week #1 (5/8-­‐5/10)
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Week #2 (5/13-­‐5/17)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Week #3 (5/20-­‐5/24)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Week #4 (5/27-­‐5/31)
Monday
Topic
Syllabus, Forma.ng & Presenta5ons
10-­‐Minute Plays Introduc5on
Comedy Presenta5on
Topic
Workshop Comedy Plays!
Tragedy Presenta5on
Workshop
Tragedy Plays!
Horror/Thriller Presenta5on
Workshop
Horror/Thriller Plays!
Topic
Romance Presenta5on
Workshop Romance Plays!
Naturalism
Presenta5on
Workshop
Naturalism Plays!
Surrealism/Expressionism
Presenta5ons
Topic
No Class – Memorial Day
Reading Due
None Work Due
None
TBD
ICE 1
Tartuffe
By M oliere
ICE 2
Reading Due
None
Work Due
Comedy Play
Macbeth
By Shakespeare
None
ICE 3
The Pillowman By M ar5n M cDonagh
None
Reading Due
Love L e6ers
By A .R. Gurney
None
Ladybird
By V assily Sigarev
None
Tragedy Play
ICE 4
Horror/Thriller Play
Work Due
ICE 5
Romance Play ICE 6
Naturalism Play
Rhinoceros & Spring’s A wakening
ICE 7
Reading Due
None
Work Due
None
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Workshop
Surrealism/Expressionism Plays!
Agit-­‐Prop
Presenta5ons
Workshop
Agit-­‐Prop Plays!
Final Presenta5ons
None
Surrealism/
Expressionism Play
WaiBng for L eDy By Clifford O dets
None
ICE 8
None
Agit-­‐Prop Play
Presenta5on of
10-­‐Minute Plays