Introduction to Drama (Eng. 2390): Fall 2003 Email: bonniem@mail.uca.edu

TTh 9:25 (Section 2041) and TTh 10:50 (Section 2042), Irby 312 Office Hours: MWF 11-12, 1-2

Melchior: Office Irby 317C; Phone 450-5127 TTh 1:30-3:30 (if no meetings)

Please turn off all cell phones and pagers during this class.

All assignments should be typed (double-spaced) or written in blue or black ink on standard-size paper (not on the back). Assignments written in pencil will not be graded and might receive an "F."

Please do not be late to class, as you may miss directions for future assignments and you will have less time to complete a quiz (quizzes are given during the first 10 minutes of the period and cannot be made up). If you do come in after role has been taken, let me know at the end of the period that you are here (otherwise, you will be counted absent).

Required Textbook: The McGraw-Hill Book of Drama, by James Howe and William Stephany, 1995

Euripides' The Bacchae, pp. 61-2, 90-113, 113-5

Aristophanes' Lysistrata, pp. 116-55, 156-8

Shakespeare's Othello, pp. 259-07, 307-ll

Moliere's Tartuffe, pp. 313-41, 341-3

Ibsen's The Wild Duck, pp. 430-76, 476-8

Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, pp. 684-726, 727-9

Download study questions, and other course materials from my web page: http://faculty.uca.edu/~bonniem The web page may also be accessed by going to the university home page, then "Academics & Research," then "Colleges & Departments," then "English" (under "Colleges & Departments"), then "Faculty and Staff Directory" then "Bonnie Melchior."

Course Objectives:

*To better understand how a play is constructed to examine and illuminate enduring human concerns.

*To see how a writer both utilizes and challenges audience assumptions and expectations (and how these assumptions and expectations have changed over time.

*To see our individual experience in a larger context and to see how the world looks from another point of view.

*To further develop reasoning and critical thinking skills.

Absence Policy:

This class will be at least 50% discussion. Therefore, you are expected to be here and to have done the assigned reading. A discussion in which 3 people have read the play is an exercise in futility and boredom. Anyone with more than 4 absences will be dropped with an F. Unless there is a paper due, you do not need to call and tell me you will be absent; I trust that, as responsible adults, you have a good reason. You do need to get the assignment before you return so you can contribute to the discussion when you return.

Grading:

Quizzes and reading journals (100 to 200 pts., depending on how many we have)

Two tests (multiple choice and identification of quotes; note important terms-- e.g. "protagonist," "exposition," "deus ex machina"), 100 pts. each

Frequent group reports and presentations (part of the journal/quiz grade)

A comprehensive final examination, 100 or 200 pts.

Plagiarizing: Journals and papers should be based on your own close encounter with the plays. Using any material from other sources without crediting those sources will result in an "F."

University Policies: The University of Central Arkansas adheres to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need accommodation under this act due to a disability, contact the Office of Disability Support Services at 450-3135. See the Student Handbook for general academic policies (p. 32+) and the policy concerning sexual harassment (p. 102).

Journals and Quizzes: Journals should be typed or written in dark ink on regular-size paper (one side only). They must be turned in at the beginning of class in order not to be counted late. If no journal is assigned, there may be a quiz. Together, quizzes, journals, group work, and brainstorming will be worth two major test grades (200 points). There will be no make-ups on quizzes. To allow for sickness and emergencies, however, you may turn in one journal up to one week late, and I will drop your lowest quiz or journal score. (Also, if there is a journal due and you know in advance that you will be absent, you can turn the journal in early for full credit.)

Important Terms (used in discussions and on tests): protagonist, exposition, initiating incident, conflict, climax, denouement, recognition, deus ex machina, 3 unities, dramatic irony. You will be asked to apply these terms.

TTh Daily Reading Syllabus (assignments are to be completed by the day on which they are listed)

Read with a pen or pencil and bring text to class!

Underline passages that summarize the theme or the conflict or the nature of a character.

Underline things that seem to be repeated.

Make notes in the margin to yourself about your assessment of the character or your feelings.

I (Aug. 26-28)

T Read Introduction, pp. 3-28, 60-61 (Bring 3x5 cards to class. I will ask questions over the reading.)

Th The Bacchae: Read pp. 90-96. Journal (see introductory Bacchae sheet).

II (Sept. 2-4)

T The Bacchae, pp. 96-103 (to Pentheus' exit)

Th The Bacchae, pp. 103-16 (finish play)

III (Sept. 9-11)

T Group work

Th Lysistrata, pp. 116-24

Journal Question: Kleonike typifies the feminine gender role, whereas Lysistrata seems atypical. Give characteristics of each (supporting your points with specifics from the play). (See "Reading Question" sheet for the rest of the questions on this play.)

IV (Sept. 16-18)

T Lysistrata, pp. 124-40

Th Lysistrata, pp. 140-58

Read pp. 156-58: what points do you agree or disagree with?

V (Sept. 23-25)

T Read the introduction, p.159, and Othello Act I, scene i. (Re-reading pp.23-6 on Othello from the General Introduction will help considerably in understanding this opening scene.)

Th Test over Bacchae and Lysistrata

VI (Sept. 30- Oct. 2)

T Othello, Read Act I (See first page of syllabus for page numbers of all plays)

Th Othello, Read Act II

VII (Oct. 7-9)

T Othello, Read Act III

Th Othello, Read Act IV

VIII (Oct. 14-16)

T Othello, Read Act V

Th Tartuffe, Introduction and Act I

IX (Oct. 21-23)

T Fall Break

Th Tartuffe, II-III

X (Oct. 28-30)

T Tartuffe, IV-V

Th Test preparation: Find 1 quotes for "theme" and 4 for character (prepare 1 copy with page number and identification and another copy with no identification). (Counts as 10 pts.)

XI (Nov. 4-6)

T Test over Othello and Tartuffe

Th The Wild Duck, Introduction and Act I

XII (Nov. 11-13)

T The Wild Duck, II

Th The Wild Duck, III and IV

XIII (Nov. 18-20)

T The Wild Duck, V and brainstorming for paper due (10 pts.)

Th A Raisin in the Sun, Act I (re-reading General Introduction pp. 6-8 will explain first scene)

XIV (Nov. 25-27)

T A Raisin in the Sun, II (video in class)

Th Thanksgiving Break

XV (Dec. 2-4)

T A Raisin in the Sun, III

Th Preparation for Final Examination

COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAMINATION