Theatre Arts 410
Theatrical Criticism: Aristotle to the Present
Instructor: Dr. Jay Oney
Office Hours: By appointment
Place: Furman Studio Theatre Phone: 294-2128
Time: M, T, R, F: 10:50 am - 12:05 pm
Texts: Theatre/Theory/Theatre, ed Daniel Gerould, Oedipus at Colonus, Orestes, The Cid, The Man of Mode, Hernani, Ghosts, The Balcony, In Perpetuity Throughout the Universe
Policies: Class attendance is required. Attendance at all exams, including the final, is mandatory. More than 3 unexcused absences will result in a deduction of 5 points from your final average for each additional absence. In extreme cases, university attendance policies will be enforced. Class participation can affect your final grade.
Learning Objectives:
The primary objective of this course is to acquaint the student with major works in theatrical criticism from The Poetics to the present. Students will develop an understanding of trends in theatrical criticism as they relate to the various periods in theatrical history and as a means of enhancing their own theatre going experiences.
Methods: Lecture/Discussion
Grading:
2 Quizzes |
25% each |
Class Participation |
20% |
Final paper/Personal Poetics |
30% |
Grading Scale: A – 92 - 100
B – 84 – 91
C – 77 – 83
D – 70 – 76
F – below 70
N.B. Any changes to class policies, schedules, or requirements will be announced in class.
Early in the course, any student with a documented disability needing academic accommodations should contact Ms. Susan Clark (294-2322), Furman’s Disability Services Coordinator. All discussions will remain confidential.
Greece and Rome
Wed 04 January Course Intro
Thurs 05 The Poetics (Aristotle)
Fri 06
Mon 09
Tues 10 Oedipus at Colonus, Sophocles (play)
Thurs 12 Orestes, Euripides (play)
Fri 13 The Art of Poetry (Horace)
Mon 16 MLK Day No class!
The Italian Renaissance and Neo Classicism
Tues 17 The Poetics of Aristotle (Castelvetro)
Thurs 19 The Cid, Pierre Corneille (play – handout)
Fri 20 An Essay on Dramatic Poesy (Dryden)
Mon 23 A Short View of the Immorality . . . , (Jeremy Collier –
handout)
The Man of Mode, George Etherege (play)
Tues 24 Test #1
The Nineteenth Century
Thurs 26 Preface to Cromwell (Hugo)
Fri 27 Hernani, Victor Hugo (play – handout)
Mon 30 Preface to Thérèse Raquin, Naturalism in the Theatre (Zola)
Tues 31 Ghosts, Henrik Ibsen (play)
Thurs 02 Feb The Birth of Tragedy (Nietzche), The Tragedy in Daily Life
(Maeterlink)
Fri 03 Buster Keaton Day
The Twentieth Century
Mon 06 The Variety Theatre (Marinetti)
Tues 07 Preface to the Breasts of Tiresias (Apollinaire – handout), The
Theatre of the Absurd (Esslin – handout)
Thurs 09 The Theater and Its Double (Artaud)
Fri 10 The Balcony, Jean Genet (play – handout)
Mon 13 Modern Theatre is the Epic Theatre, Alienation Effects in
Chinese Acting (Brecht)
Tues 14 The World, the Text, and the Critic (Edward Said – handout)
Thurs 16 In Perpetuity Throughout the Universe, Eric Overmyer (play)
Fri 17 Test #2
Mon 21 TBA
Thursday Feb 23, Noon Personal Poetics Due