WORLD THEATRE THROUGH LITERATURE STUDIES
Mrs. Jo Lane, teacher, jolane@pps.k12.or.us, 503.916.5260 ext. 71424

Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the rich array of theatrical and dramatic styles from around the world through literature and performance. The course will look at selected theatre production styles and dramatic literature from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas and includes film representations of theatrical performances as well as live performances when available.

Resources Available:
Students will have a variety of resources available to help them understand the content. These resources include, but are not limited to, anthologies and files of monologues and scenes, theatre arts textbooks, theatrical videos, and in class work. Also, the theatre arts classroom has a specialized theatre reference library. Students may check out texts for a short period of time to prepare in their studies and for their presentations. Additionally, Mrs. Lane will provide support.

Theatre Arts OR English through Credit for Proficiency OR Traditional Classroom:
At the beginning of the semester, students will select if they are enrolled to earn credit for Theatre Arts as an elective credit OR English, for either their Junior English 5-6 or Senior English 7-8 credit, when paired with a fall semester course. Also, students will select the way in which way they want to earn credit. Students will have the option of a traditional class, using a point system for grading, or Credit for Proficiency (CFP), where students demonstrate their learning proficiently to earn credit. Students selecting CFP can earn partial credits throughout the semester whereas students earning through a traditional approach must complete the entire course to receive any credit. All students learn in the same classroom with the same content presented by the same instructor; however, coursework requirements are geared toward their selections for both content and type of study, and the tools to demonstrate learning will vary.

Classroom Expectations (Show your Rider PRIDE!):
Personal Responsibility: Bring supplies to class daily: PENCILS, ERASER, pens, paper, theatre notebook, and any other materials required for each class. Wear clothing that is comfortable and in which you are able to move.
Respect: Treat fellow students, teachers, and others with respect. THEATRE IS A COLLABORATIVE ART THAT REQUIRES TEAMWORK. Without respect, the classroom team fails. With respect, it flourishes.
Integrity: Push yourself to work hard and cooperate in groups. Put your best work forward and be proud of what you share. THEATRE IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPATION CLASS. Effort, cooperation, and participation will be rewarded. Attitude and cooperation warrants additional participation in showcases.
Discipline/Diligence: Be present and ON TIME daily, ready to learn. Rehearsals are not effective when you are late or absent.
Empathy: Cooperation in group activities and willingness to share work. Encourage others to share. Give and receive constructive criticism for all to become better artists.

Attendance Policy:
This course meets Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. It is imperative and expected that students attend every class, every week. If students are absent, whether excused or unexcused, during any pre-planned performances or tests, students may not be able to retake or makeup the performances or tests. Teacher discretion will be used to determine any credit awarded and makeup options. See ACT attendance policy.

Homework and Grading:
Theatre does require homework! Complete and turn in all assignments on time. Students will receive grades for daily participation, preparation and rehearsal, and performance. All work is scored with a point system (traditional) and/or with rubrics (CFP) to be distributed in class. Assessments include daily attendance, on task rehearsal, memorization by deadlines, completion of theatre arts notebook, discussion and cooperation, in class performances, and analyses of characters, scenes, and language. No late work can or will be accepted. Any late work credit, if any, is at the teacher’s discretion. Bonus points can be earned for attending additional crew days or theatre performances.

Assessment:
Students are assessed on their daily attendance in class, ability to be on task during work time, participate in discussions, cooperate in groups, keep a thorough Theatre Arts notebook (see separate sheet for details), write literary analyses of plays, and other written work. In addition, students will be required to do a formal presentation. Students select a country of personal interest, research the country’s theatre history at a particular time period, focusing on a playwright, one of his/her plays, and the impact on society. The student then creates a formal presentation sharing the information.

Additional Theatrical Optional Opportunities:
Examples: Productions, Field trips, Participation in Drama Club/Thespians, and more!
Please note: You must attend school at least one half day in order to participate in any after school opportunities. No pass, no play policy applies, too.

Curriculum is presented in a two-year cycle/rotation, allowing students to take the course two consecutive years without repeat of content.

Tentative World Theatre Studies Calendar
The following units of study are approximate and subject to change:

CYCLE I
February: Introduction to World Theatre through Literature and Performance; the Ritual of Global Storytelling; Aristotle; Review of World Theatre—Cycle II content (Asian, African, European, and American Theatre); presentations begin
March: Focus on Greek and Roman (ex: Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, Euripides’ Medea, Sophocles’ Antigone, Aristophanes’ the Frogs); presentations continue
April: Focus on Medieval (ex: Marlowe’s Faustus, Everyman, The Second Shepherd’s Play, The Washtub Farce, The Wakefield Mystery/Cycle Plays, Gammer Gurton’s Needle); presentations continue
May: Focus on Elizabethan (ex: Shakespeare, Jonson, Moliere); presentations continue
June: Final Exam and Presentations finish

CYCLE II
February: Introduction to World Theatre through Literature and Performance; the Ritual of Global Storytelling; Aristotle; Review of World Theatre—Cycle I content (Greek, Roman, Medieval, and Elizabethan Theatre)
March: Focus on Asian (ex: Kabuki, Noh, Bunraku); presentations begin
April: Focus on African (ex: Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horsemen, Athol Fugard’s Master Harold and the Boys, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun); presentations continue
May: Focus on European and Beyond (ex: Italian—Commedia dell’arte, Russian—Chekov’s The Seagull, Spain—Lorca’s Blood Wedding, Mexico—Los Vendidos, Norway—Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Sweden—August Strindberg’s The Stronger, Indian); presentations continue
June: Final Exam and Presentations finish