Course Syllabus

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SPT-209-90 Introduction to Theatre
Course Syllabus for Summer 2024

Course Description

A survey course in the history, literature, criticism, and arts of the theatre.

Credit Hours

3 credit hours

Goal of this Course

The overall goal of this course is to help you become a better prepared audience member for theatre productions. As such you should be able to identify good acting over bad, understand how the scenic, lighting, and costume designs help tell the story, grasp how the dramatic structure is designed to help you understand the story and maybe grasp a message. In addition to all that, I hope you see how working in the theatre goes beyond the theatre.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to write a critical play review in which they will...

• Illustrate a connection between a thematic perspective presented by the play/musical and how it reflects the current society in which the production was presented.
• Provide and defend a personal opinion on the quality of at least one performer’s acting ability by demonstrating how the actor was good or could be stronger.
• Show a connection between the visual elements of the play/musical (Costumes, Scenery, Lighting, Projection) and either
  • the character who lives in that environment
  • the thematic perspective presented
  • the overall emotional state of the play/musical
• Identify the Title of the play/musical, Lead Actor(s) and their role, the Primary Designers (Costume, Scenery, Lighting) and key Structural Elements of a Play Script.

Faculty and Office Hours

Jay Rozema 
Coordinator of Online Learning / Adjunct Theatre Instructor

Office Phone: 573-681-5205
Cell for Text: 660-815-5666 (Emergency Fri – Sun ONLY!)
E-mail Address:  rozemaj@lincolnu.edu

As this is an online course my office hours will not be “official”. In the summer I work Monday - Thursday and I’m almost always connected to my email and office phone during the day. Since this is a summer offering Lincoln’s campus is closed on Fridays. 

Contacting Me

My preferred method of contact is by email or Canvas Inbox. 

If you absolutely need to contact me on a Fri, Sat, or Sun, then please send me a text and be sure to include “Your Name, Intro to TH” at the beginning of the text so I know what it is about.

Please allow some time for me to reply. I may have other things going on and will not get to you right away. I try to be prompt with my reply, but I don’t always check my email or texts on the weekend.

When emailing

I ask that you include “Intro to TH” in the subject line along with anything else that might give me a clue as to your concern. At the beginning of the course, I may not catch names and if you send me a message with the subject of “assignment problem”, I might think you’re another Lincoln student who is not in this course having problems. I would like to prioritize my responses so adding “Intro to TH” will draw my attention and I will be quicker to respond.

Required Textbook

None! You will be provided all the learning materials you need in Canvas.

Learning Experiences

Learning methodologies may include any of the following: online videos, assigned readings, learning activities and assignments, online discussion boards, and maybe a quiz.

Grading Criteria

All course assignments, except the Review of a Musical will be graded on a “Complete” or “Revise" standard. If your assignment has been marked "Revise" you have the opportunity to revise the assignment for re-evaluation as long as it is done before the assignment is frozen. (more detailed information about freezing assignments is available in Canvas)

• If the assignment has been marked Complete, you will earn 1 point.
• If the assignment has been marked Revise, you will earn 0 points and you can revise.
• If the assignment has been marked Complete after you revised it, you will earn 1 point.
• If you don't do the assignment or miss a revision opportunity, you will earn 0 points.

85% Rule

All assignments will follow the 85% Rule based on rubrics published in Canvas. 

All work that meets an 85% success standard will be marked as “Complete”.

Review of a Musical is graded on a more standard format and will have the opportunity to earn 20 points. This assignment is not subject to revision as it acts as your final exam. Please see the assignment instructions and rubric in Canvas for more details.

Percentages

Even though all assignments and graded discussions are worth 1 point, it isn't the final point count that matters for the final grade. The percentage of that one point will lead to your final grade. It is possible for some assignment that were not revised to earn a partial point. (.5 point, .25 point, .75 point, etc.). This percentage will be reflected in your final grade.

Final Letter Grade

The following scale shall be used to assign letter grades. Please note, this is NOT a standard 10% scale.

A = 100% - 90%
B = 89% - 80%
C = 79% - 65%
D = 64% - 50%
F = 49% or less

Topical Outline

The course will follow eleven learning lessons…	and two additional sections
What is Theatre / Theatre as Art	Finishing Up
Dramatic Structure	Resources and Fun Stuff
The Structure of Musicals
Thematic Messaging in Plays
Theatre as a Voice for Awareness
Going to the Theatre
Acting
Design
Theatre Beyond the Theater
Play Review - Memphis

Course Schedule and Checklist

In the About this Course Module you will find a detailed schedule and checklist for the course. This schedule was also included in the announcement sent to you the day before the course began. If you follow this schedule carefully you will complete the course without too much of a load on your personal schedule.

I am highly suggesting you follow this schedule every day.

Important Dates

• Class begins on Wednesday, May 29, 2024
  
  Assignments will be frozen on the following days
• June 16          All assignments in Week One will be frozen.
• June 23          All activities through Week Two will freeze.
• June 30          You will be frozen out of any assignment through Week Three.
• July 7              Freezing for assignments through Week Four will take place.
• July 14           Don’t be frozen out of Week Five assignments.
• July 21           The last frozen date of the course where everything through Week
  Six will become off limits.

Class Withdrawal Policy

See The University Calendar or the Schedule of Courses for drop dates for summer courses. To drop a class/course, please complete the following steps:

1. Obtain a Lincoln University Schedule Change form from the Registrar’s Office.
2. Have the form signed by your advisor.
3. Sign the form yourself.
4. Return the form to the Registrar’s Office.
5. Keep the yellow copy for your records. 

*Please note failure to withdraw properly will result in an automatic grade of “F” in the courses affected. Also, students may not completely drop all classes or withdraw from the university on Self-Service. You must complete a Lincoln University Withdrawal form--even if only for one course. For more information, you may contact the Registrar’s Office at (573) 681-5011 or 681-5012 or by email at Registrar@lincolnu.edu

Attendance Policy

Your attendance will be recorded as long as you actually do something in the course. If Canvas records you logging into this course during the week, you will be marked as attending the course. But, you can't just log in and then log out. There needs to be some evidence that you visited pages, submitted an assignment or post in a discussion for your attendance to be recorded as present.

Technology in Use

Announcements, assignments, and grades will be posted on Canvas learning management system. Students will need access throughout the course. Computer access is available through Page Library on the Lincoln University main campus – see hours of operation.  Technical assistance can be obtained by contacting the Information Technology Services Helpdesk at 573-681-5888 or email helpdesk@lincolnu.edu. Technical assistance directly related to Canvas can be found by contacting me at 573-681-5205 or emailing luonline@lincolnu.edu. Additional Canvas help can be accessed by clicking the “help” button in Canvas or calling Canvas at 855-912-8224. 

While the Canvas mobile app is available it is not recommended for some activities in this course. It is advised to have access to a full computer as well as the mobile app.

Course Expectations

This course is not a difficult course when it comes to academic standards, having written that, this course is loaded with many activities, responsibilities, and expectations. Do not look at this general education course as a “fluff” piece. You will find many more pieces of advice on succeeding in the first module in Canvas.

• Thinking is Encouraged – Students are not asked to simply remember facts and figures, they are being asked to think about what they see, hear, feel, and experience. Looking for connections between life and art is an ability that will serve the student well.
• Success is in the Details – By responding to a prompt with, “I liked it” will not be enough to meet an 85% standard. Students need to be ready to explain why they liked it or didn’t like it. Providing examples from the play that explain why you liked it will be helpful.
• Being Wrong may just be Right – In a course about art the student will be asked opinions and perspectives. There is no right or wrong when it comes to opinions. However, the student will need to be ready to defend their opinion with evidence of what they experienced. A student may have a totally different view of a topic, but that doesn’t mean they are wrong.
• Why? How? Who? – Asking questions of the instructor, but more so of the other students will be highly effective in a course such as this. When it comes to discussion forums, don’t be afraid to ask a question that may prompt other responses.
• Just Do It! – As Nike says, just do it. If students simply do the work they are asked, their grades will reflect the effort. Everything in this course is there for a reason. It may be reinforcing a lesson or to assess understanding, no matter what, it is being used.

Academic Dishonesty / Cheating

The most common forms of academic dishonesty are cheating and plagiarism. Cheating is defined as unauthorized use of any materials, aids or information of assistance in doing any work required as part of a course. Plagiarism is the attempt to pass off another person’s work as one’s own by failing to give credit to the original source of ideas or words. Students who are found to be guilty of academic dishonesty are subject to the policies and procedures as outlined below.

1. Any student guilty of cheating will be reported in writing to the department head and the dean of the college or school of the course involved and to the department head and the dean of the college or school in the student’s major
2. Any student found guilty of cheating may receive, at the discretion of the instructor, a failing grade in the course
3. Disciplinary action for cheating may include suspension for one or more semesters, exclusion from selected programs of study or permanent expulsion from the University

Procedures for implementing Policies 1 and 3 (when action is recommended) shall be the responsibility of the academic unit in which the violation occurred. All students accused of cheating have the right of appeal through normal channels – the instructor, department head and dean. In the case of the Schools of Business, Education and Nursing, the appeal shall go from the instructor to the dean.

Copyright and Fair Use

These are the Resources for enhancing the understanding of copyright, intellectual property, and patent procedures. The purpose of this guide is to provide current information and resources related to copyright, intellectual property, and patents for our LU community. For more information visit the Copyright and Fair Use website. Links to an external site. 

Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting

When you are citing sources in a discussion forum and/or your formal written work, you have three choices of how to present someone else’s published information. You can summarize the main idea(s) of the entire text, you can paraphrase a section of the text by putting it into your own words, or you can quote from the text word for word. Each of these techniques require an in-text citation where you indicate the last name(s) of the author(s) and the year of publication; if you quote directly from any source, you also need to include the page or paragraph number where this text can be found.  

You need not limit yourself to one of these techniques. In fact, it is encouraged that you use all three when submitting your responses/written papers. Why do you use any of these techniques in your academic writing? It’s not enough that you have experienced a trend or that you are aware of an issue; think of academic writing as investigative reporting and you need someone else’s writing and ideas to build a foundation for your own insights and observations. Some published authors seem to have captured exactly what you wish to have written; that’s when using a direct quotation provides strength and support for your theories. Limit the number of quotations, since the responses/papers are to be your writing, not merely the parroting of published sources on that topic.

Course Assistance

At times, access to the course may be down due to the server problem. The IT Support will make students aware of such “downtime” whether expected or not through email.
 
Information Technology Services (ITS): The Information Technology Services (ITS) team provides technical support for Lincoln University in the areas of networking services, telecommunication services, desktop support, and server/applications support. ITS's Help Desk is located on the main floor of Young Hall. You can reach the ITS Help Desk by calling 573-681-5888 or email helpdesk@lincolnu.edu. Support hours: Regular Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Summer Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 am - 6:00 pm. 

Course Functionality Issues: Your instructor has made every effort to aid you in navigating the Canvas course and with using the specific course content. However, if you need assistance, please consider the following options in order:

1. Help Tool: Use the “Help” tool located at the bottom section of your course page. This tool allows you to search for help on all Canvas functions.
2. Contact Instructor: If you cannot locate the answer or need additional information, contact your instructor using Canvas inbox or other contact options. You may also contact your instructor when you have questions concerning assignments (accessing, using, submitting, grading etc.). 

LU Academic Support: Student can learn strategies that will enhance their written communication skills. Please visit the Academic Support website and “Find a Tutor.” 

Communication/Email

Effective verbal communication is essential in the success of a career. Students are encouraged to use the following communication chain when they seek resolution to question or concerns that may arise during the semester. Please do not go directly to the top as a person on this chain may be better equipped to assist you.

Begin by contacting the Course Faculty
If no results occur, reach out to the Department Head
If you're still not satisfied, contact the Dean of Arts and Sciences
Finally, contact the office of Vice President of Academic Affairs

Students are expected to check their LU and Canvas e-mail on a frequent and regular basis in order to stay current with University related and course related communications, recognizing that certain communication may be time critical.  It is recommended that your email and announcements be checked regularly.  Checking on a daily basis is preferred. The instructors will only communicate through the Lincoln University e-mail and your Canvas email, not your personal e-mail.  

Please note, as with all computer systems, there may be occasional scheduled downtimes, as well as unanticipated disruptions. Students who do not have internet access at home may use computers in Elliff Hall, Page Library, or MLK.  Canvas assistance can be obtained by contacting the LUOnline at 573-681-5206. Technical assistance can be obtained by contacting Information Technology Services at 573-681-5888 or email helpdesk@lincolnu.edu, and the Canvas helpdesk which can be accessed by clicking the “help” button in Canvas or calling Canvas at 855-912-8224. 

Link to Lincoln University Email Guidelines. Links to an external site.

Diversity    

Working in theatre always means working collaboratively. As such, it’s important to respect and appreciate others, even if their ideas are different than yours. Within the theatre one will be working with people of different races, religions, genders and sexual orientations. 

Lincoln University is a multicultural community of diverse racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds, national origins, religious and political beliefs, physical abilities, ages, genders, and sexual orientations. Our educational activities and everyday interactions are enriched by our acceptance of one another; and, as members of the university community, we strive to learn from each other in an atmosphere of positive engagement and mutual respect.
 
Because of the necessity to maintain this atmosphere, bigotry will not go unchallenged within this community. We will strive to educate each other on the existence and effects of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, religious intolerance, and other forms of invidious prejudice. When such prejudice results in physical or psychological abuse, harassment, intimidation, or violence against persons or property, we will not tolerate such behavior, nor will we accept jest, ignorance or substance abuse as an excuse, reason, or rationale for it.

Respect

Due to the subject matter in some of the scripts studied it is expected that you will show respect for all points of view, opinions, and responses. Even though you may not agree with another person’s opinion, you do need to respect that opinion and possibly learn from it. If you show any kinds of disrespect for another person you work will be marked as “Incomplete” and will not be offered a chance for revising the work.

Instructor Permission

The instructor requests that he be permitted to copy any aspect of student work for online teaching training purposes. If the student wishes to deny this request it is important that they inform the instructor not to use any of their work in writing. A non-response will be perceived as giving the instructor permission to make any copies as needed. All names will be removed from copied work.

Access & Ability Services

Lincoln University is committed to providing equal opportunities to disabled persons in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Individuals are hereby notified that this institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs and activities.

Services for disabled students, including learning, physical, or emotional disabilities, are coordinated through the Office of Access and Ability Services. Students requiring these services should contact the University ADA Coordinator for further information at 681-5167 or go to 822 Lee Drive, Thompkins Student Health Center.

https://www.lincolnu.edu/student-life/disability-services/index.htmlLinks to an external site. 

Services for Students with Disabilities

Disability Services are coordinated through the Office of Access & Ability Services. Lincoln University is committed to providing equal opportunities to persons with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as it relates to the physical infrastructure of all University property.

Upon admittance to the University, any person requiring reasonable accommodations must register with the University before any accommodations will be afforded to them. Documentation of a disability from a qualified medical and/or authorized professional must be submitted before accommodations will be afforded to the individual requesting services. The types of accommodations vary greatly and are provided based on documented and expressed needs, as well as the applicability of accommodations within the individual class. The University also provides on-campus housing accommodations for students with physical disabilities. Requests for accommodations will be reviewed and decided upon in a timely manner.

If a student finds that a classroom is inaccessible, he/she/they should report this to the Coordinator for Access and Ability Services or the academic dean of his/her/their college. Every effort will be made to make programs accessible. Any informal or formal grievance should be filed with the Office of Access & Ability Services. The procedure for doing so is outlined in print and electronically with all materials available through the ‘Student-Life/Disability Services’ page on the University website (https://www.lincolnu.edu/student-life/disability-services/grievance-process.htmlLinks to an external site.).

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Lincoln University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, in education programs and activities. Title IX protects individuals from harassment connected to any of the academic, educational, extracurricular, athletic and other programs, activities, or employment of schools, regardless of the location. Title IX protects all individuals from sexual harassment by any school employee, student, and a non-employee third party. This policy applies equally to all students and employees regardless of the sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression of any of the individuals involved. No officer, employee, or agent of the institution participating in any program under this title shall retaliate, intimidate, threaten, coerce, or otherwise discriminate against any individual for exercising their rights or responsibilities under any provision of this policy. Questions, concerns, and/or complaints can be addressed to the Title IX Coordinator, Shawnda Hayes-Dunnell, 900 Leslie Blvd., Suite C, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101; 573-681-5495; titleix@lincolnu.edu.

Veterans and Military Affairs

The Lincoln University Office of Veterans and Military Affairs (LUVMA) welcomes, serves, and supports veterans, reservists, survivors, and family members and recognizes their contributions as citizens and students. The LUVMA serves as an information source, advocate and guide for our student veterans. We are dedicated to fostering and developing a sense of community and seamless communication and service among our student veterans and reservists, faculty, staff and administration.

For additional information, please contact:
Coordinator of Military & Veterans Services
(573) 681-5353

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