SYLLABUS, Spring, 2016

History of Theater I. 3001, Section 001.

Meeting Times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 4:00 4:50.
Tuttleman 400 AB
Instructor: Michael Friel
Email: mfriel01@temple.edu (Thats a zero and a one after my name.)
Phone: 215-204-8414. Leave a message with Karen. Email is the best means of
contact.
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:00 to 2:50. Tomlinson 201 (Bob
Hedleys office.) If you have class at this time, I will schedule a meeting at your
convenience.
Final Exam: Wednesday, May 4, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
DO NOT MAKE ANY PLANS THAT CONFLICT WITH THE FINAL EXAM DATE!
Course Description: This course studies the development of theatrical modes of
presentation, playwrights, and plays from ancient Greece to the mid-18 th century.
Relationships are drawn between the developing theater and the political, social and
cultural history of the times.
Course Goals: To familiarize students with the major aesthetic movements and
significant works in dramatic literature. To refine and broaden each students analytical
and research skills. For students to acquire an appreciation for the ways in which
theatrical practice and cultural forces shape how a play text is written and understood.
Required Texts: The Bedford Introduction to Drama, 7th edition (ed. Jacobus, Lee). If
you acquire an earlier addition, it may have different plays included. Almost all of the
assigned plays will be in this textbook. If any other plays are assigned, they will be
available for free online or available for free viewing online.
Disability Disclosure: As per University requirements: A student who has a need for
accommodation based on a disability should contact me privately to discuss the specific
situation as soon as possible. Students with documented disabilities should contact
Disability Resources and Services at 215-204-1280 in 100 Ritter Annex on Main Campus
to coordinate reasonable accommodations on your particular campus.
Statement on Academic Freedom: Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are
inseparable facets of academic freedom. In our discussions all points of view are valued.
The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and
Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02). If you would like to review the syllabus policy, you
can do so at the following URL address/hyperlink:
http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02
The Spiritual Foundation of the Department: The Department of Theater embraces
the spirit of creative community both in the classroom and on stage. Theater is by
nature a uniquely collaborative art form. During your time here as a student, you are in
every respect called to be a supportive, contributing member of a large resident
ensemble, committed at every level of endeavor, regardless of the task, to achieving
artistic excellence in our work as a company.

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University Code of Conduct:
http://www.temple.edu/bulletin/Responsibilities_rights/responsibilities/responsibilities.sh
tm
Please note: The University Code of Conduct explains Temples policy on plagiarism.
Read it! It is possible to accidentally plagiarize, to simply forget to put in a citation, but
the purposeful presentation of someone elses works or ideas as your own is cheating. If
you cheat, you will fail the course, regardless of your other grades.
Grading:
Attendance and Participation: 10%.
Show up. Show up on time. Show up prepared.
Expect to be called on.
You are permitted two unexcused absences. Beginning with the third
unexcused absence, and continuing with each subsequent unexcused
absence, your Attendance/Participation grade will be reduced by 1/3 of a
grade.
There are two criteria for an excused absence:
1. You must email me before class and tell me why you will
not attend.
2. You must bring in documentation for your absence on
the first day that you return to class.
The same applies to lateness. You are permitted two, after which your grade
will be reduced.
In the event of a major disruption to your life (death in the immediate
family, prolonged and documented illness, etc.) let me know as soon as it
occurs. Please, dont let weeks go by without contact and then inform me
that you experienced an unfortunate turn of events. An email takes only a
minute to send. If you are incapacitated, have someone else contact me.
Quizzes: 20%.
There will be quizzes on plays read and viewed and on lecture
material covered in class or in assigned critical readings.
Quizzes cannot be made up. If you miss a quiz due to an
excused absence (see above), the quiz will be exempted. If you
miss a quiz for any other reason, you will get a zero for it.

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Group Project: 15%.
Students will break into groups representing various eras in theatre history.
One student will serve as the moderator, and the others will portray various
personalities from that era.
Each group will fill an entire period with their discussion.

group

Each student will be graded individually on his/her knowledge and

presentation. However, it will work much better if all members of the
rehearse with each other.
For an understanding of what is expected, go to YouTube and type in Steve
Allen and Meeting of Minds.
Tests: (20%).
In addition to the quizzes on the plays, there will be tests on each era of
theater history covered.
Midterm Exam: 10%. Friday, February 26th during class.
Final Exam: 25%. Wednesday, May 4, 1:00 3:00.
This exam will be cumulative and include material from the
entire semester.
DO NOT MAKE ANY PLANS THAT CONFLICT WITH THESE EXAM TIMES!

CLASS POLICIES:
No eating in class.
There is no extra credit available.
FINAL COURSE GRADE:
It is unusual for a students final grade to exactly match one of Temples benchmark
grades (4.0, 3.67, 3.33, 3.0, 2.67, 2.33, 2.0, 1.67, 1.33, 1.0, etc.).
What happens when your final course grade is between two of these benchmarks?
For example, a B is 3.0, and a B+ is 3.33. Halfway between those grades is 3.165.
Anything equal to or above that 3.165 would round upwards to a B+. Anything below
that would round down to a B.
However, if your Attendance/Participation grade is an A, your grade will round
up as long as it is 0.1 above the lower grade.

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Example: If you have a final course grade of 3.1, coupled with an A for
Attendance/Participation, you will get a B+. If you have a 3.1 and anything lower than
an A for Attendance/Participation, you will get a B.