THEATR-110-84741 - Understanding Theatre - Diana Jellinek

Introduction

Hello! I'm Diana Jellinek and I'm excited to guide your through Understanding Theatre online this semester! 

Understanding Theatre is exactly what it sounds like: together we are going to figure out how to better "understand theatre" - where it came from, why we do it, how we do it, what does it mean that we do it, how and why has it changed, and how HAS it and DOES it contribute to our human experience. Both theatre majors and non-majors will find a lot of useful information here, as I always strive to connect our topics to what might be relevant to YOU -- not just in pursuit of a theatre degree, but to life in general. To that end I try to make the course engaging and valuable. I hope you will agree!

IMPORTANT: This section is a condensed 8 week course (from a typical semester-long 16 week course). That means that we must cover all the material in half the time. I will work hard to lay out a plan you can follow to keep pace -- and you should be willing to work hard to stay up to speed on the work. I am here to support you, to guide you and to help you across the finish line.

I have been acting and teaching acting/theatre for nearly 30 years. I fell in love with it when I was studying abroad in Oxford, England and it changed the course of my life! I earned my MFA in acting from Rutgers University, completed a professional actors' training program at the National Theatre in London, assistant directed a show at the Old Globe in San Diego, got my first agent and legitimate acting jobs in NYC, joined the acting and teaching company at The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC and finally moved to Los Angeles where I have taught at The Acting Corps, Carolyne Barry Studios, Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio, and as a private coach. I am member of the Board of Directors of our local Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival. I have two incredible sons, 14 and 18 and live with my husband here in Valencia, where I have taught at COC for the last 5 years. Hiking, travel, and taking photographs are the only other things I have time for (haha).

I look forward to sharing my love of theatre with you!  

Course Description

Together we will analyze theatre and the theatrical event from the audience's perspective, including the functions of the producer, architect, playwright, director, actors, designers, and critics. 

Course Objectives:

 1. Analyze the nature of theatre and its role in society.

 2. Determine the impact audience participation, theatre space and environment has on a theatrical event.

 3. Differentiate the goals, processes and tools of individual theatrical collaborators and explain their contribution to theatrical production.

 4. Assess the historical, artistic, social, and philosophical contexts in which theatre exists.

 5. Critically analyze dramatic literature and performances.

 6. Propose alternative solutions to theatrical production situations.

What to Expect in this Course

This course is 100% online and requires you to work independently. We will not be meeting on Zoom.

Workload

Please be prepared to spend at least 6 hours/week. If you work more slowly, you will need more time. (Remember, we are doing 16 weeks of work in 8 weeks, so we must cover a lot of ground relatively quickly.

Technology

You need a desktop or laptop computer with reliable Internet access. This course cannot be completed via smartphone. 

You need the following software on the computer:

• Internet browser
• Microsoft Word

You will utilize the following apps and techniques:

• Web browser software. 
• E-mail sending, receiving, forwarding, saving, printing, attaching files, and retrieving attachments. 
• Web-based communication tools, such as discussion forums, chat, and webinars. These are all accessed through the Canvas website.
• Word processing software including creating, modifying, saving, and retrieving Word files.  

Projects and/or Exams

We will have play viewings, chapter quizzes, play critiques and a collaborative project.

Types of Assessments

Our course will include discussions, chapter quizzes, written assignments, video assignments, and peer feedback. 

Textbook Information

Our textbook is:

Wilson, Edwin & Alvin Goldfarb. "Theatre: The Lively Art - 2024 Release" McGraw Hill. New York, 2024. ISBN13: 9781266302794

The textbook is not optional. To be successful in this course you will need to rent or buy our textbook, either online or physical. All tests and discussions, and some assignments, stem from the textbook. This starts with your first chapter discussion in Module 1. If you do not get the textbook, I don’t see how you can pass this class. We are working on an OER for this course, but until then, this book covers the material the most throughly and in the most organized fashion of all the theatre textbooks I've surveyed.

Our publisher has an amazing online book experience called "CONNECT" that helps you read, reviews what you've read, highlights important passages, and keeps track of concepts you haven't covered. I will publish my Homepage on CANVAS one week BEFORE class begins so you may get the online book and get acclimated to Connect. I will send out a welcome packet email the week before class begins to direct you to our Canvas homepage and all the relevant information you need to start you off with speed! :) I told you I'd help you!

Any additional readings or plays will be provided via our Canvas class.

Other Relevant Course Information

Is this online course right for you?

REMINDER: All work in this course occurs online. There are no face-to-face meetings. This course requires the same time commitment as the face-to-face version.

This course is NOT SELF-PACED. You can log in at any time convenient to you to complete your weekly module, but there are weekly deadlines, which means this is not a class in which you can complete work far behind your classmates or make up work during the last weeks of the term. We must run this race together. (It's more fun together anyway!)

I expect students to sign on to Canvas several times a week to complete the modules and submit assignments. If you will not be able to do this, this is not the course for you. You should not plan to sign in and work on the class a few hours before each deadline.

Success in this course relies upon your commitment to do the coursework independently. If you prefer to have hands-on guidance and face-to-face interaction, take the in-person version of this class. To succeed in and enjoy this course, you need to be self-reliant, self-aware, motivated, disciplined, and focused. Also, since the majority of your input will be written rather than oral, you need to be able to express yourself clearly in writing.

(I borrowed some of these points and language from my colleague Alan Trautman -- Thank you Professor Trautman!)

Remember, I am here to help you be successful in this course! 

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 08/30/2024 Sub#: 1824