Lin-Manuel Miranda and the Broadway cast of the musical Hamilton.
Introduction to Theatre Online
Suzanne Fagan
Spring 2022
CRN: 31754
CRN: 32087 Honors
Office: PAC 142
Office Hours: Mon&Wed 10am-12:00pm
Join office hours either in person at the above office or via zoom during the above office hours by using this link: Zoom Office Hours
Phone: 805-553-4847 (but email is better)
Email: sfagan@vcccd.edu
Campus Police: 805.378.1455
Student Health Center 805-378-1413
Hello and welcome!
I am Suzanne Fagan and I will be your online Intro to Theatre Instructor.
For many of us online learning is new. So, there might be a lot of questions along the way. FEEL FREE to ask me anything at any time. I LOVE teaching online and I love theatre. I want you to enjoy them too. Answering questions is my job!
I will respond to emails within 24 hours, usually sooner, but I am slower on the weekends. If I do not respond to your message within 24 hours assume I did not get your email.
Let's have a great semester together!
Important Dates
Last day to drop with a refund: 1/21
Last day to drop without a "W": 1/30
Census date: 1/31
Last day to drop with a "W": 4/22
Last day of class: 5/11
Tell me more about important dates by visiting the
Who is Who in Arts: Fine and Performing Division
Chair: Nathan Bowen (805) 553-4682
Office: M Building Floor 1
Dean: Priscilla Mora
pmora@vcccd.edu
Office: AA 101
Admin. Assist. Victoria Collie (805) 553-4746
Office: AA 101
Division Hours: 8am - 5pm Monday - Thursday
8am - 12 noon Friday
After Hours
If you need to cancel / relocate an evening class, or you need
assistance after hours, please contact the Evening Program Office in
Fountain Hall after 6:30 PM at ext. 1406. Paul Mattson’s evening
schedule is: Monday – Thursday, 5:00 – 10:00 PM, Saturdays, 8:00 AM –
12:00 PM. Email Paul at PMattson@vcccd.edu
Student Learning Outcomes for 31754
- demonstrate understanding of the origins of theatre in western civilization.
• observe theatrical performances in an informed and critical manner and be able to identify the central idea, performance elements and technical enhancements.
• understand and use the vocabulary specific to theatre as demonstrated in exam or quiz.
Course Outline of Record
- analyze and evaluate the nature of theatre and its role in
society.
- assess the historical, artistic, social, and philosophical
context in which theatre exists.
- critically analyze dramatic literature and performances.
- identify and examine theatrical components in production.
- propose alternative solutions to theatrical production
situations.
- critically analyze basic concepts of dramaturgy as related
to the appreciation of theatrical art.
Student Learning Outcomes for 32087 Honors
• understand and use the vocabulary specific to theatre as demonstrated in exam or quiz.
• observe theatrical performances in an informed and critical manner and be able to identify the central idea, performance elements and technical enhancements.
• demonstrate understanding of the origins of theatre in western civilization.
The Performing Arts Center at Moorpark College
Recommended Skills
Basic computer skills (use of word processor, email and file
management), basic Internet skills (use of browser, searches, uploading and
downloading files)
If you need a laptop or a Chromebook for class, or a better laptop or Chromebook let me know. The college is loaning them out for educational purposes. :)
Technical Support
Moorpark College
has technical support for students studying online or using CANVAS in their
classes!
Contact INFO:
Phone: 805-553-4188
Email:
mconlinestudentservices@vcccd.edu
Walk-in location: AA-101.
Walk-in / Call-in Hours TBA
Emails and calls during off hours will be returned within 1 regular business day.
OR CALL THE 24/7 CANVAS HELPLINE AT
844-602-6290.
Technical Requirements
For
students to access the course site: go to my.vcccd.edu.
Click “My Courses.” Click on the link to the
left entitled “Canvas Homepage.” Your user id is your Student ID number (a
9-digit number which begins with 9) if you have not personalized it yet.
Recommended: Mac /PC not more than 3 years old with current operating system and current
browser (Firefox seems to function best).
AOL users: once you enter the Internet
through AOL, please minimize (do not close) your AOL screen, and then open
Firefox. AOL is not preferred.
This will also be available on the CANVAS course under the tab SYLLABUS. Tell me more about the text based version (for accessibility) Student Services Syllabus.
Moorpark College's production of Nell Gwynn from fall 2021. Pictured is Erin Baxter as Nell, Cody Grande as Ned, Nick "Cat" Collins as Charles Hart and Ashley Gilmore as Nancy.
The SAFEZONE training program was developed to support LGBTQ+ students, employees, and allies.
The SAFEZONE emblem not only signifies a pledge of commitment, but that the person displaying the placard has been trained
to support this unique population. Tell me more about SafeZone.
Professional Behavior
Students are expected to comply with the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct well as conventional standards of behavior.
In this course, students will be encouraged to think critically about issues, to challenge assumptions, and to respectfully share experiences, thoughts, and opinions with others in the class. It is possible that you may not like or accept some of these ideas, but you are expected to show respect for others who hold opinions that differ from yours and work cooperatively. Failure to display professional and collegial behavior toward classmates will result in a lower grade on that assignment and possibly a BIT form referral.
Academic Dishonesty
Students are expected to know and follow the College’s regulations regarding academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism. Your work should reflect your ideas and words, and others’ work should be properly acknowledged. If the originality of a student’s work is questioned, it may be submitted to turnitin.com.
When academic honesty is in question, the following may occur: Instructors will report instances of plagiarism or cheating to the Dean of Student Life by completing a BIT form. It is the policy of the Ventura County Community College District and Moorpark College that the instructor may dismiss a student involved in such dishonest behavior from class with a grade of “F.” In addition, the faculty member may direct the matter to the Executive Vice President of Student Learning for further disciplinary action.
MC Honors Program
Students with a 3.25 High School G.P.A. or a College G.P.A. of 3.00 with 12 units of transferable college level courses, and who are highly motivated, and intrigued with academic challenge, are encouraged to join the Moorpark College Honors Program.
The program is for those students committed to academic excellence, and find it fun and exciting to be an active participant in the classroom. Membership in the Honors Program confers a number of advantages such as working more closely with faculty, engaging in novel research and learning activities in addition to honing team building and leadership skills. Moreover, any Moorpark College student may enroll in an Honors course. Students who successfully complete the Honors Program are formally recognized and eligible for special transfer and scholarship opportunities. Entrance to the program requires special admission. Tell me more about the Honors Program.
Learning Center
Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to use The Learning Center, The Math Center, and the Writing Center services to support their efforts in this class. The Learning Center, Math Center, and Writing Center, located in Library 322, will provide tutorial services and supplemental instruction based on course goals.
When using these services, students need to state their instructor’s name for tracking and reporting purposes. Students will also need to provide their student ID numbers when receiving tutorial services. For further information, call The Learning Center (805) 378-1556, the Math Center (805) 378-1556 or the Writing Center (805) 553-4850. You may make appointments on the Writing Center Webpage and tutors may also be available on a drop-in basis.
Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policy
Incidents of sexual
misconduct can involve students and employees and include: sexual harassment,
gender/sexual orientation based slurs, social media harassment related to
sex/gender/sexual orientation/gender identity, sexual assault of any type,
stalking (including text/digital stalking), dating/domestic violence, gender/sex-based hate crimes, etc. If you or
another student has experienced any of these types of events, regardless of
where they occurred or who the perpetrator may have been, please immediately
contact your instructor, Dean or the Title IX Coordinator Priscilla Mora. It is the responsibility of the
College to investigate the matter and provide support and appropriate assistance
to the student who may have been affected. Questions? Tell me more about MC Title IX / Sexual Misconduct policies at Moorpark College.
Masks are Mandatory on Campus
Masks are required at all times while indoors while on the Moorpark College Campus per the Moorpark College Mandatory Mask Policy. Not wearing a mask is in violation of the Moorpark College Student Code of Conduct. Students are subject to all requirements listed in the Moorpark College Student Code of Conduct and are subject to disciplinary action should they fail to comply (Board Policy 5500 Standards of Conduct). Not complying with the “face covering” directive will be further adjudicated by the Dean of Conduct and campus police will be notified (ext. 1455 from a campus phone or 805-378-1455).
THOUGH THIS CLASS IS ALL ONLINE, THIS STATEMENT IS STANDARD FOR ALL SYLLABI FOR THIS SEMESTER
The above is subject to change.
Visits to Campus
Required Screening for All Campus
Visitors
All faculty,
staff, and students who come to campus must complete the required COVID -19
screening processes, as outlined in the Moorpark College Guidelines for Spring 2022. In order to complete the
required screening, you need to have the VCCCD app downloaded on your phone.
Please see the instructions regarding the app
at this
link, and consult the Guidelines document, which will be updated
regularly should conditions or procedures change.
Student Visits to
Campus
During the semester you are not required to notify us if you
are on campus for a scheduled face-to-face, on-ground class.
Campus
visits for purposes outside of instruction are highly discouraged as
they pose several challenges.
Only those
who have a time-sensitive and definite need should request permission to come
to campus.
All visitors to campus must follow the required screening procedures and must wear a mask while indoors at Moorpark College.
Vaccine Mandate
The Ventura County Community College District has instated that on October 15th, all students who visit campus for class need to be vaccinated fully. Students in classes with an in-person component who are unwilling to get vaccinated need to move to an online class.
For more information visit the below website
VCCCD Board Approves Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations for Students and Employees
Equipment Lending
Any student who is currently enrolled at Moorpark College may request to borrow a laptop or hotspot for the semester. The library has two types of laptops: Dell or Chromebook.
Please refer to the Equipment Details section on our Equipment Lending Library Guide for more information about each equipment's capabilities. This is important information to help you decide which option is best for you to complete your coursework.
To sign up for a laptop or hotspot or to learn more about this lending program, visit The Equipment Lending at Moorpark College Website.
Moorpark College Library
Grading
Syllabus Quiz ---------------------------------010 pts
Welcome Discussion Board -------------010 pts
Discussion Board Posts -------------------300 pts
Chapter Quizzes -----------------------------400 pts
Video Quizzes---------------------------------140pts
Midterm ----------------------------------------100 pts
Final ----------------------------------------------050 pts
Honors Students Assignments ---------300pts
Total ---------------------------------------------1010pts
Honors Total----------------------------------1310pts
Please see below descriptions and requirements for each assignment.
Please see the Course Map/Schedule in CANVAS for due dates for each assignment. PUT THE DUE DATES IN YOUR PERSONAL CALENDARS.
It
is necessary for you to complete the assignment/quiz by the date it is
due.
NO EXCUSES. While it may be possible to amass enough
points to gain a 70% score by simply passing the weekly quizzes and the
midterm, you MUST turn in the midterm, post the minimum number of postings on
each of the discussion boards, and take the final.
For descriptions of each assignment, please go to CANVAS and click on this class. Click on MODULES until you find the assignment you are looking for. An explanation of what is expected of you will appear.
FREE Textbook
The textbook is free. It can be found broken down into chapters in the modules. Download the chapters onto your computer/desktop for easy access and/or print it out for your convenience if you would like to mark/take notes in the textbook.
Crash Course Videos
We will also be learning from the PBS series Crash Course Theatre and Drama. This is a fantastic channel found on YouTube. Click the icon above to visit the site if you are interested in seeing all the topics Crash Course covers. The videos for this course can be found in the modules.
Each video is about 10 minutes long. None are over 15 minutes.
Required Reading:
To be read for class for a discussion board assignment. You can find the hard copy at the bookstore or get it in a free accessible .pdf in the modules.
Required Viewing
To be viewed for class. You can find Hamlet and She Loves Me production for free at Digital Theatre Plus.
To get to this site for free, check the Ten Minutes to Places: Introduction Module for the page entitled Digital Theatre + and Other Free Online Viewing Websites.
Click the image to view the trailer.
Use the login and password to access the full show.
For this discussion board assignment, you will need to watch the musical (about 2 hours).
Click the image to view the trailer.
Use the login and password to access the full show.
For this assignment, you will need to watch the show (about 3 hours). It is recommended that you turn on the CLOSED CAPTIONING option to help you understand the Shakespeare dialogue.
SMOKING POLICY
Moorpark
College Smoking Policy: Moorpark College is 100% TOBACCO FREE – No
smoking, vaping, chewing.
No tobacco is permitted on or in buildings,
campus grounds or parking lots at all times.
Violators shall be subject to appropriate
disciplinary action.
AP 6800, BP 6810, AB 846.
PREREQUISITES
If you are using this course as a prerequisite for another future course and you do not pass this course with a C or better, when grades are posted, you will be dropped from the course requiring this prerequisite class even though you may have been allowed to register in it pending successful completion of this course.
Accessibility Coordination Center and Educational Support Services (ACCESS) supports students with verified disabilities by determining and providing reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and support services.
Click the word ACCESS above learn more about this program which assures all classes, activities and facilities are accessible to all qualified students.
This is not mandatory for the class. This is just a great opportunity if you would like to be involved in a show. Interested in technical theatre? Let me know and I can introduce you to our technical director.
8 one acts written by students and directed by students are
seeking actors/students for the 2022 Spring One Acts.
You do not need to be a theatre major to audition.
All auditions will take place via zoom.
Visit our site at Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department website for more information.
These Student One Acts are written, directed and acted by
students.. The writing for the majority of these pieces took place in
our M21A Playwrighting I and M21B Playwrighting II
classes the previous semester. The pieces were produced in our Theatre
Production Performance classes, M10A-D. The directors learned their
craft in Directing I and Directing II M15A and M15B.
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS:
Syllabus Quiz
Contains: 10
Multiple choice and true and false questions pertaining to the syllabus.
Worth: 10
points
Note: The
MANDATORY syllabus quiz is the first thing you should do in this course after
you read the syllabus. If you do not take the mandatory syllabus by the deadline,
you will be dropped from the class to allow waitlisted students into the class.
Welcome Discussion Board
Contains:
One question asking you to simply introduce yourself and practice uploading
files (in this case a picture or video or 2!).
Worth: 10
points
Note: This
MANDATORY discussion board post is the 2nd thing you should do in
this course after you take the syllabus quiz.
If you do not post by the deadline, you will be dropped from the class
to allow waitlisted students into the class.
DISCUSSION BOARD POSTS
Contains:
2 questions for each topic. 2 topics total.
Worth: 200 points (50 points for each question)
Directions:
1. Read the chapter, play,
lecture and view the videos or play if applicable to the questions.
2. Look over
the rubric for the discussion board posts found under the assignment.
3. Answer each question. Answers MUST be
between 200-300 words.
You will be
docked points if you do not meet the word requirement.
3. During the following week, respond to at least 2 other posts, or
students’ answers, per question. Feel free to respond to more students if you like! Your responses to the other students’ posts
MUST be at LEAST 50 words.
THOSE TWO STUDENTS MUST BE THE STUDENT WHO POSTED RIGHT
BEFORE YOU AND THE STUDENT WHO POSTED RIGHT AFTER YOU.
4. YOU
MUST THEN CIRCLE BACK AND REPLY TO AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO RESPONDED TO YOUR
ORIGINAL POST. Your response in your circle back must be at least
50 words.
You will be docked points if you do not meet the word requirement.
5. If I have responded to your post, you must respond to me.
Note:
I am looking for in-depth answers and responses to these questions, not just,
“Yes, I agree” hence the word requirements.
This is also to ensure that you read/watched the play, watched the
interviews, etc. Also, any inappropriate posts on any of the discussion
boards will be taken off and scholastic discipline will be sought.
Please practice netiquette. You will not be
able to respond to another student(s)’ response(s) until AFTER YOU have posted
your thoughts on the prompt.
Q and A Discussion: Can be found on the home page. It is NOT mandatory to post here. This
is just a board to post course or college related messages or questions to
other students.
QUIZZES
For the quizzes based on chapters in the book: There are 8 chapter quizzes. Each quiz has 25 questions.
Each question is worth 2 points.
The quizzes are made up of multiple choice
and true and false questions.
These
quizzes will be covering material from the free text and the modules/lectures.
Worth: 50 points each.
Availability: Once you open a quiz, you will have 90 minutes to complete it.
For the quizzes based on the videos:
There are 13 videos that have quizzes attached to them.The quizzes are made up of multiple choice and true and false questions.
Each quiz is worth 10 points.
There is anywhere between 10 and 20 questions in each video.
These quizzes will be covering materials from the videos that they are embedded in.
Availability: You have as long as you need to watch the video to take these quizzes.
They will be available from Thursday @
12:00AM until the following Tuesday @ 11:55PM. (EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF QUIZZES WHICH WILL BE DUE FRIDAY!)
See the course “CALENDAR” or "Course Summary" (found under the SYLLABUS tab) for exact information regarding when each quiz is available.
Note:
The quizzes are TIMED.
This means that you only have a set amount of
time to complete them and a set number of days in which they will be
available.
Last semester I ran into many
students who did not understand this and at the end of the course they were
making requests to open up quizzes that were missed or turn in assignments that
were missed. Since there will be a couple of sections of this course this
semester and over sixty students, this is not an option.
DO NOT ask. The great thing about an online
class is that even if you are having family problems or you are needed at
certain times of the day, you can take these quizzes or turn in the assignments
at night, during the weekend, basically whenever works best for you. All
quizzes and assignments will be due at 11:55pm the day the quiz or assignment
is due – not 12:00am.
Too many students
in the past have been confused by the “am.”
So think of it this way, assignments and quizzes are due 5 minutes before
midnight the day the assignment or quiz is due.
Please plan accordingly. If for
whatever reason you would like a quiz to be opened up AHEAD OF TIME, please
email me and I will be happy to accommodate that request.
PLAY CRITIQUE/MIDTERM
Worth: 100
points
Directions:
1. Review the criteria, rubrics and directions.
2. You MUST
see Hamlet on Digital Theatre Plus.
If you would like to do your play critique on Moorpark College's production of Kinky Boots, you may do that instead. The midterm due date works out with the performance dates Kinky Boots.
3. You must
write a critique.
See the criteria and
directions for a full description of the requirements for these critiques, which
will be 3 to 4 pages long (no longer than 4 pages.)
Note: Late papers will not be accepted.
NO EXCUSES.
The shows are for mature audiences.
You must look over the directions carefully. It is required to have a THESIS STATEMENT as well as a HOOK in your introduction paragraph. You then need to touch upon those elements again in your conclusion.
ALWAYS put titles in italics. If that is not available, then put in quotes or underline.
PROOFREAD
YOUR PAPERS.
USE SPELLCHECK.
I am a stickler for correct grammar and
spelling. With all of the papers, help can be found at the Learning Center. Take
advantage of all the services a college or university has to offer if you need
help.
You are paying for it!
IF YOU USE THE LEARNING CENTER, THEY WILL GIVE ME A RECEIPT. IF I GET A RECEIPT FROM THEM REGARDING YOUR WORK, I WILL AUTOMATICALLY GIVE YOU A LETTER GRADE HIGHER THAN WHAT I WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU!
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.
DO NOT LIE.
I have had students attempt both.
Each time they have failed the assignment. They have also been reported to the
Dean of Student Life for academic dishonesty. YOU MUST FOLLOW THE CRITIQUE
CRITERIA BY HAVING A HOOK, A THESIS STATEMENT, ETC., ETC., ETC.
LOOK OVER THE CRITIQUE CRITERIA. Tell me more about the Learning Center.
FINAL
Contains:
25 questions.
Each question is worth 2
points.
The final is made up of multiple
choice and true and false questions.
This final will be covering material from the free text and the lectures including the Crash Course video lectures.
It will contain
multiple choice and true and false questions and randomly pull 25 questions
from ALL 10 chapter quizzes.
Worth:
50 points
Note:
Unlike the mandatory midterm, the mandatory final CANNOT be opened and closed.
It is suggested that before you take the
mandatory final, you go over ALL of your quizzes to better prepare for the
mandatory final. That is your study guide.
EXTRA CREDIT
Extra-Credit
is available.
If a student participates
in on-campus productions extra credit will be given for appropriate written
assignments.
You MUST contact the
instructor first to get an approval. Extra credit can also consist of you
seeing another play and writing a critique on it similar to the ones that are
mandatory for this class.
You can only
do extra credit once and it is worth 50 points.
You must get your extra credit approved by the instructor first
otherwise your extra credit will not be accepted.
Intermittently, extra credit will be offered in the video messages posted at the beginning of each week. Be sure to watch those every week for updates on the course and for easy extra credit.
Honors Assignments Description:
Required Viewing:
To be viewed for class. You can find Antigone for free at Drama Online Library
Use login: moorpark
Password: raiders
Click the image to view the trailer.
Click the title to visit the site.
Use the login and password to access the full show.
For this assignment, you will need to watch the show (about 3 hours). It is recommended that you turn on the CLOSED CAPTIONING option to help you understand the dialogue.
Play Critique: The Greeks: Antigone
Worth: 100
points
Directions:
1. Review the criteria, rubrics and directions.
2. You MUST
see Antigone on Drama Online Library
3. You must
write a critique.
See the criteria and
directions for a full description of the requirements for these critiques, which
will be 3 to 4 pages long (no longer than 4 pages.)
Note: Late papers will not be accepted.
NO EXCUSES.
The shows are for mature audiences.
You must look over the directions carefully. It is required to have a THESIS STATEMENT as well as a HOOK in your introduction paragraph. You then need to touch upon those elements again in your conclusion.
ALWAYS put titles in italics. If that is not available, then put in quotes or underline.
PROOFREAD
YOUR PAPERS.
USE SPELLCHECK.
I am a stickler for correct grammar and
spelling. With all of the papers, help can be found at the Learning Center. Take
advantage of all the services a college or university has to offer if you need
help.
You are paying for it!
IF YOU USE THE LEARNING CENTER, THEY WILL GIVE ME A RECEIPT. IF I GET A RECEIPT FROM THEM REGARDING YOUR WORK, I WILL AUTOMATICALLY GIVE YOU A LETTER GRADE HIGHER THAN WHAT I WOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU!
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.
DO NOT LIE.
I have had students attempt both.
Each time they have failed the assignment. They have also been reported to the
Dean of Student Life for academic dishonesty. YOU MUST FOLLOW THE CRITIQUE
CRITERIA BY HAVING A HOOK, A THESIS STATEMENT, ETC., ETC., ETC.
LOOK OVER THE CRITIQUE CRITERIA. Tell me more about the Learning Center.
Honors Assignment: Discussion Boards
Contains: 4 videos/topics with one discussion board/question for each video/topic. for each topic.
Worth: 200 points (50 points for each question)
Directions:
1. Watch the videos on Digital Theatre Plus in The Essential Greeks series entitled:
- The Essence of Greek Theatre
- The Chorus
- The Women
- The Text and Performance
2. Look over
the rubric for the discussion board posts found under the assignment.
3. Answer each question. Answers MUST be
between 200-300 words.
You will be
docked points if you do not meet the word requirement.
3.Respond to at least 2 other posts, or students’ answers, per question.
THOSE TWO STUDENTS MUST BE THE STUDENT WHO POSTED RIGHT BEFORE YOU AND THE STUDENT WHO POSTED RIGHT AFTER YOU.
Feel free to respond to more students if you like!
4. Your responses to the other students’ posts
MUST be at LEAST 50 words.
5. YOU
MUST THEN CIRCLE BACK AND REPLY TO AT LEAST ONE PERSON WHO RESPONDED TO YOUR
ORIGINAL POST.
6.Your response in your circle back must be at least 50 words. You will be docked points if you do not meet the word requirement.
7. If I have responded to your post, you must respond to me.
Note:
I am looking for in-depth answers and responses to these questions, not just,
“Yes, I agree” hence the word requirements.
This is also to ensure that you read/watched the play, watched the
interviews, etc. Also, any inappropriate posts on any of the discussion
boards will be taken off and scholastic discipline will be sought.
Please practice netiquette. You will not be
able to respond to another student(s)’ response(s) until AFTER YOU have posted
your thoughts on the prompt.
Disclaimer: The above is subject to change.