CSUB THEATRE PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF THEATRE

Instructor: Professor Chris Eicher
Office: Faculty Towers Rm. 302A
Office Hours: TBA
Phone: 661-664-2426
E-Mail: ceicher@csub.edu

THEA 101: Introduction to the Study of Theatre
Theatre 101 is a lecture/discussion style course designed to enhance the student's ability to enjoy, appreciate and communicate the aesthetic principles of theatre as a collaborative and necessary art and a reflection of the human experience, historically and contemporarily. This course combines lecture, selected readings, video presentations and a live performance of the CSUB theatre production. This course is designed to enhance the student's understanding of theatre as an aesthetic form, develop an appreciation of the arts, develop critical thinking skills through evaluation and analysis, and become an understanding and appreciative theatre audience member now and in the future.

Specific Goals:
1. To provide the student with an appreciation and awareness of the theatrical experience.
2. To provide the student with criteria which to make value judgments relating to theatre.
3. To provide the student with a basic dramatic vocabulary in order to discuss the theatrical experience with certain ease and intelligence.
4. To provide the student an opportunity to view theatre as a collaboration of artists and be able to judge each aspect of the production
5. To gain a historical perspective of the art form and an understanding of its importance in society

Required Text:
Theatre fifth edition, by Robert Cohen

Reading Requirements:
You will be required to read four plays for discussion in this course. Additionally you will also be required to read a fifth play for your group project.

Group Project:
There will be one graded group project. Each group will be assuming the role of a production team and presenting a short scene from a play of your choosing. Not everyone will have to perform. Those afflicted with "stage fright" will be assuming the roles of director, producer, designer etc. Choose your group wisely as their work affects your grade.

Class Attendance:
Attendance is required and roll will be taken. Points will be accrued at the rate of three per day. Roll will be taken within the first 10 minutes of class. Tardiness of more than 10 minutes will be considered an absence and no points will be awarded for that day. Please note that an absence does not change the due date for or the responsibility of completing assignments. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified. Late work is automatically subjected to a 20% penalty and excessively late work may be, at the professor's discretion, given a zero.

Examinations:
There will be two exams and six quizzes. The six quizzes are worth 25 points apiece, the mid-term exam is worth 150 points and the final exam is worth 200 points. Exams will not be reschedules without supporting paperwork, (such as medical records showing serious illness or hospitalization).

Performance Requirement:
Each student will be required to attend the play presented by the CSUB Theatre department this quarter. You should carefully check times and dates, and buy your tickets in advance. Attendance must be documented (keep a copy of the program AND your ticket stub), and students will be required to write a critique using an assigned format. There is an admission fee.

Grading:
Exams and Quizzes 500
Group Project 100
Critique 100
Attendance 100

Grade Scale:
A+ 97-100
A 93-96
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
F 0-59

Academic Honesty:
The Academic Honesty policy is on page 53 of the old catalogue and page 59 of the new one. Please make yourself familiar with it, as it will be enforced in this class.

ADA Compliance:
If you have a qualifying disability, you must contact the Office of Disability Services in SA 140 (x3360) to receive the assistance for which you are eligible.

Due dates:
All assignments are due at the BEGINNING of class on the date specified. Late work is automatically subjected to a 20% penalty and excessively late work may be, at the professor's discretion, given a zero. Exams WILL NOT be rescheduled without appropriate supporting paperwork, (such as medical records showing serious illness or hospitalization).