Vannatta: Modern Drama

dpvannatta@ualr.edu (Note: During Stabler Hall renovation I will not have an office. Feel free to contact me at this email address.)

SYLLABUS

Texts: Clurman, NINE PLAYS OF THE MODERN THEATRE; Caputi, EIGHT MODERN PLAYS

Aug. 23--Course introduction
25—Introduction to modernism

30-- Drama retrospective
Sept. 1— Ibsen, WILD DUCK

6-- “
8—Chekhov, THREE SISTERS

13-- “
15—Shaw, CANDIDA

20-- “
22--Work on essays

27-- “
29—Essay #1 due; Strindberg, GHOST  SONATA

Oct. 4-- “
6—Pirandello, SIX CHARACTERS …

11-- “
13--Brecht, MOTHER COURAGE …

18-- “
20--Work on essays

25-- “
27--Essays #2 due; Beckett, WAITING FOR GODOT

Nov. 1-- “
3--Pinter, THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

8-- “
10—Reports

15-- “
17— Mamet, AMERICAN BUFFALO

22-- “
24-- OFF (Thanksgiving)

29-- Work on essay
Dec. 1— “

6--Essay # 3 due

Course Instructions.

PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES WHEN ENTERING THE CLASSROOM.

Learning objectives. The goal of this course is to introduce the student to the drama of the twentieth century. The student will learn the distinguishing features of modern drama and its place in the broader context of world culture and literature; will be introduced to various types of essays that may be written about these and other writers; will communicate what they’ve learned about these writers in written and oral forms. I will do some lecturing, but my intent is that this course be primarily a discussion class.

Important Notice to English Majors with a Secondary Education Minor: In keeping with the accreditation requirements of NCATE/NCTE, our English Secondary education program’s accrediting agency, we must asses the progress of all students pursuing a B.A. in English with certification in Secondary Education in order to verify that our courses are enabling them to meet the prescribed NCATE/NCTE standards in English Language Arts competencies. Please take the time to identify yourself to the instructor as this semester commences so that arrangements can be made to assess how well this course, Eng. 3344, Modern Drama, is fulfilling those mandated requirements. Please know that it is the program, not you as an individual student, that is being assessed. Nevertheless, all Secondary Ed. minors must prepare a portfolio of these assessment assignments as a part of the program review. This course, Eng. 3344, is designated as one that addresses the following competencies, in addition to the “learning objectives” noted above: discover meaning from texts; use a variety of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts; examine works representing a broad historical and contemporary spectrum of United States, British, and world literature.

Grading. Your course grade will come from the following sources: three essays (see handout);  quizzes over the plays (the average of which will count as 1/2 an essay grade); attendance, which counts ½ an essay grade; and classroom participation. Attendance is graded as follows: 1-3  absences=A; 4=B; 5-6=C; over 6=F. (Note: all absences count in this scale; there are no “excused” or “unexcused” absences. I take role at the beginning of class. If you come in late, it is your responsibility, by seeing me immediately after class, to make sure I knew you were here.  Do not abuse this. I count every two “lates” as one absence. Be here on time.) In addition, you may choose to do an oral book report (see handout), for which I will raise a major grade (one of the essay grades or the combined quiz/attendance grade) by one letter grade (i.e., from C+ to B+). I do not accept late essays, and I do not allow missed quizzes to be made up, but I will drop the two lowest  quiz grades. Note to English majors and Secondary Ed minors: it’s a good idea to keep copies of  all your papers in this and other upper-level English classes for possible inclusion in your senior portfolios.

Students with Disabilities. It is the policy of UALR to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law. Any student with a disability who needs accommodation, for example in seating placement or in arrangements for examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. The chair of the department offering the course is also available to assist with accommodations. Students with disabilities are also encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services, which is located in the Donaghey Student Center, Rm. 103, phone 569-3143.