Dramatic Literature - CST 210 at Southwest Virginia Community College
https://courses.vccs.edu/colleges/swcc/courses/CST210-DramaticLiterature
Effective: 2022-05-01
Course Description
Introduces script analysis through exploration into the theatrical theories, styles, dramaturgical structures, and types of dramatic literature that have influenced playwriting and theatrical practice from ancient times to present day in Western and Non-Western Cultures. The assignments in this course require students to be able to read scholarly works from different cultures and to write analytic evaluations of theatrical scripts and performances.
Lecture 3 hours. Total 3 hours per week.
3 credits
The course outline below was developed as part of a statewide standardization process.
General Course Purpose
CST 210 gives theatre students experience with script analysis and provides an introduction to the various types of dramatic literature from ancient times to present day in Western and Non-Western Cultures.
Course Objectives
- Communication
- Effectively communicate performative observations through written and/or oral communication.
- Critical Thinking
- Identify and explain how various elements of a production (text, sets, lighting, sound, costume/makeup, etc.) contribute to personal perception.
- Evaluate a theatrical performance (live or video) by analyzing various components that influence personal viewpoints.
- Cultural and Social Understanding
- Demonstrate knowledge of the role of theatre in society.
- Recognize/describe how theatre influences individuals and/or society.
- Recognize/describe how individual and societal factors influence theatrical creation.
- Personal Development
- Demonstrate the development of receptivity to theatrical texts from different historical periods.
- Cultivate personal goals related to theatre viewing and/or performance attendance.
- Theatrical History
- Categorize theatrical genres and styles and discuss their purpose and effects.
- Analyze a wide body of plays and determine the literary and dramatic strategies and resources used by a variety of theorists and playwrights throughout history.
- Interpret plays from the global past and present.
- Script Analysis
- Recognize the intent and purpose of a theatrical production and the role of authorial intention.
- Investigate plot, character, theme, exposition, imagery, conflict, theatricality, and other crucial parts of the superstructure of a play.
- Develop critical thinking, research and writing skills, techniques, and strategies.
- Performance Analysis
- Compare literary and aesthetic values in theatrical performances and analyze them for methods of interpretation and production qualities.
- Apply theories of dramatic criticism to a play's characters, themes, and dramatic action.
Major Topics to be Included
- Theatrical History
- Script Analysis
- Performance Analysis