The art of communicating in the 21st century takes on a variety of forms. This course combines unique performance skills through oral interpretation and theater, which are necessary for success in any profession. We will explore historical periods of theater and corresponding literature as well as workshop activities that offer students an opportunity to gain an awareness of their vocal and physical interactions. Project-based learning is the foundation for the course where skill sets are scaffolded as the term progresses. Along with the instructor, peer feedback becomes an important modality practiced and strengthened as a skill set in and of itself to promote analytical thinking and positive collaboration between students. In addition, students will have opportunities to further their skills through our broadcasting club which G. Ray Bodley proudly offers. In a safe and nurturing environment, students will build confidence and be encouraged to do something most people greatly fear – speaking in front of others – without anxiety, so they are better prepared for life.
Fall and Spring Semesters (20 Week Course)
Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate an awareness of and respond to the needs of different audiences and rhetorical situations (Rhetorical Knowledge)
Use writing and reading for inquiry, learning, thinking, and communicating, integrating student’s ideas with those of others (Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing)
Produce coherent texts through a multiple draft process (Processes)
Successfully make use of the conventions of writing and Standard Written English within that writing (Knowledge of Conventions)
Compose in an electronic environment such as a word processing program (Composing in Electronic Environments)
Build and enhance vocabulary that is appropriate and will foster success with the myriad audiences that a student will encounter at any time. (Language)
Gain an awareness of their physical presence in any given space and to those around them through theatrical modalities that heighten non-verbal communication skills.
Unit 1: Introduction to Theater
Unit II: History of Theater- Parts I & II: Ancient Greek Theater/Interview Project
Unit III: Formal Presentation Preparation
Unit IV: The History of theater- Parts III & IV: Roman and Medieval theater
Unit V: Renaissance Theater/Commedia dell’arte/Elizabethan Theater
Unit VI: Formal Persuasive Speech with Accompanying Research