Drama III/IV Syllabus

Drama III/IV is designed as a theatre course for students who wish to explore aspects of theatre in-depth. Students will receive a great deal of practical experience in theatre production, performance, design, playwriting, and directing.

The class is a PARTICIPATION and HANDS-ON course. GOOD ATTENDANCE is essential to success, since much of the work is completed as groups, through performances, and projects. Absences are especially difficult to make-up in a participation class, with the burden of deciding how to make up the work placed on the student, after checking out their options.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: During this course, students will:

* Direct fellow students in acting projects

* Survey dramatic literature from each of the major historical theatre periods

* Dramatize advanced acting projects

* Design and execute a technical theatre project

* Demonstrate knowledge of musical theatre

* Apply improvisation to build characters and spontaneity

* Create well-developed characters through script and character analysis

* Assist with the current school theatre production

GRADING:

The following grading scale will be used:

90-10080-89 – B 70-79 – C 60-69 – D 0-59 – F

All projects will have a set point value. Total points earned for each project will be recorded, out of the total points possible, resulting in a percentage. Students will also receive 5 points per day for attendance and participation. If a student is tardy, they automatically lose 2 points out of the 5 points for that day. Attendance and participation points can not be made up. If a student is absent from class for a school activity, and was present at the school activity, they will receive their 5 points for that day.

Unsatisfactory notices will be sent for any grade below 70%.

CLASSROOM RULES/PROCEDUES: Students should agree to the following to ensure a general climate of respect and responsibility:

* arrive on time for all classes

* arrive ready for work at all times

* do their best in all activities, exercises, and projects

* show respect for classmates and the teacher – no put-downs, obscenities, or offensive behavior will be tolerated

* be sensitive to the needs of others

* support the creativity of others

* work as a team member

* complete all assignments on time

* treat the classroom and theatre spaces, as well as any equipment and supplies, with respect and responsibility

* follow all safety rules at all times

* follow all school rules (as stated in the student handbook) at all times

GENERAL PROCEDURES:

1. When absent from class, students must present an admit slip. The admit MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE CLASS.

2. If a student is absent, they are responsible for finding out what work was missed and determining how they can make it up. If they can do the same assignment, they are expected to do so. However, if they have missed a GROUP project, they may have to do an alternate project. Look at the list of “Alternate Assignments/Missed Work” on the bulletin board to determine the options. The teacher will not determine this for them. Makeup work needs to be completed in a timely fashion.

3. Establishing good attendance is essential to success. Students with repeatedly poor attendance may be removed from group projects and given alternate work, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the rest of the group.

4. There will be due dates for all assignments and projects. There will be a letter grade reduction for late work. Zeroes are not acceptable – students will be expected to complete all assignments.

5. A tardy will be assessed for any student who is not in the classroom by the time the tardy bell rings. Normally the door will be closed when the tardy bell rings; however, in the event that the teacher has been distracted or busy and the door was not closed, the bell will still establish that the student is tardy. The student must give their student I.D. to the teacher, with no argument. If a student has been detained by a teacher, counselor, etc., they need to bring a pass in with them, or it will be assessed as a tardy.

6. A hall pass on the student I.D. will be used for any personal business (restroom, drinks, etc). The teacher will write a hall pass if the student is being sent out of the classroom on class/school business. Students are encouraged to use their hall passes with care – they must last the entire semester.

7. Any student experiencing difficulty with anything, from projects to a student situation, is encouraged to speak with the teacher. Every effort will be made to correct or resolve the problem, while maintaining the dignity of all involved.

8. Be considerate of others’ feelings and COOPERATE to achieve quality work. Learn to be a “team-player” – that’s what theatre is all about – working together to create ONE PRODUCT. COLLABORATION!!!!

BONUS OPPORTUNITIES: Students may pick up bonus by:

Attending the theatre productions at Joplin High School = 25 points

Auditioning for a theatre production at Joplin High School = 15 points

Being in the cast of the theatre productions at Joplin High School = 35 points

Attending a theatre production outside of Joplin High School (high school, college, community, or professional = 10 points (unlimited – present the program within one week of seeing the play)

Writing a one-page critique of a theatre production you attended = 20 points

Reading a full-length play from the play file (in my room or in the library) and writing a 1 page

summary = 10 points (maximum= 50 points per quarter)

Selecting an article from Dramatics magazine (available in the classroom) and writing a 1 page summary/evaluation = 10 points (maximum= 50 points per quarter)

Attending a Saturday work day = 25 points (cannot be counted if I.T.S. points are earned)

Timekeeping for the Heart of the Ozarks Tournament (in February) = 10 points per round up to 100 points maximum (cannot be counted if also used in a Speech/Debate class for bonus or credit)

Providing judges for the Heart of the Ozarks Tournament = 10 points per judge for a maximum of 30 points

Instructor:Mrs. Bonnie Schurman (“B.C.”)Room:F103

Credits:1 hour Fine Arts credit, year-long course Plan Period:7th hour – F103

Contact Info:(417) 625-5230 – Joplin High School

bschurman@joplin.k12.mo.us Return to home page