I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Introduction to Theatre

2. Course Prefix & Number:
THTR 1451

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course is a survey of the various elements that make up the theatre experience, including a brief overview of the history of theatre development, the jobs of each theatre artist, and an examination of theatre traditions in non-Western cultures:  including multi-media, readings, and attendance of live performances.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading College Level CLC or Reading College Level

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

Southwest State University, A.F.A.

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:

• Goal 6 – Humanities and Fine Arts
• Goal 8 – Global Perspective

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Critically respond to written and performed theatre works.
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Identify different levels of meaning in play scripts by reading them and by hearing the script performed by actors.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Identify and critically respond to elements of non-Western theatre forms.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Develop a critical framework for analyzing theatre in written and performed forms. (MnTC Goal 6)
• Trace the evolution of theatre practices from early beginnings to contemporary times. (MnTC Goal 6)
• Identify the contributions of each artist associated with a theatre production. (MnTC Goal 6)
• Identify and appreciate the differences in non-Western theatre forms and practices. (MnTC Goal 8)
• Describe and analyze political, economics, and cultural elements which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions. (MnTC Goal 6)

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Defining what is meant by theatre
2. How Western theatre evolved
• Early stages: prehistoric, ancient Greek, Roman theatre
• Middle stages: Medieval theatre, Elizabethan, Restoration, Victorian
• Modern  theatre: realism, anti-realism, postmodern
• Differing forms: musicals, issue-oriented theatre, experimental works
3. World theatre
• Theatre of Africa
• Classical forms from India, China, and Japan
• Theatre of the New World---Central/South America
4. The contributors to theatre
• Playwright
• Actors
• Director
• Designers
• Producers