Music Theatre

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.

Course Number and Title: MUSIC THEATRE, THEA 4530, 88691

Credit Hours: 3.0 semester credit hours (3-0-3)

Catalog Description:

A study of New Music Theatre forms including but not limited to the American Musical.

Course Description: An exploration of the history and practice of music theatre from the perspective of performance as an integral part of world cultures, past and present. Critical thinking and communication skills are emphasized. This course will develop in the student a more sophisticated and critical view of the art of music theatre. The student should also develop a respect for the artists involved in the process of music theatre. The student will, as a final project, perform a musical a scene/song for the class and for a larger audience.

Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites: THEA 1100 with a minimum US grade of D

THEATRE LEARNING OUTCOMES SATISFIED BY THIS COURSE:

1. Assess and employ theatrical concepts in decision-making and critical aesthetic judgments.

2. Recognize and demonstrate practical skills required in professional theatre settings.

Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

	Able to use the Windows^TM operating system
	Able to use Microsoft Word^TM word processing
	Able to send and receive e-mail using Outlook^TM or Outlook Express^TM
	Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
	Able to use a Web browser.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

ALL TEXTS FOR THIS CLASS ARE ONLINE. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FROM OTHER WEBSITES (INCLUDING YOUTUBE) WILL BE SUES. COMPUTERS WILL BE USED EVERY DAY. Student notebook computers will be used every day in this course. Students are required to bring a computer to every class. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor.

Evaluation:

Evaluation will be based on weekly examination of student’s progress in the class work (25% of total grade), a midterm exam (25% of total grade), the completion and presentation of final project appropriate to the concepts and structures presented in class exercises.

Grading:

A	90 - 100%
B	80 - 89%
C	70 - 79%
D	60 - 69%
F	below 60%

Mid-term Progress Report:

The mid-term grade in this course, reflects approximately 30% of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W." Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, or withdraw on-line using the Swan by mid-term. Instructions for withdrawing are provided at this link.

Operation Study: At Clayton State University, we expect and support high motivation and academic achievement. Look for Operation Study activities and programs this semester that are designed to enhance your academic success such as study sessions, study breaks, workshops, and opportunities to earn Study Bucks (for use in the University Bookstore) and other items.

General Policy
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.any

University Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Additional Policies:

Students are absolutely required to be in class on time every class date. Each student is expected to take notes and be attentive in class. ALL CELL PHONES, PAGERS, BEEPERS, TIMERS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES OF ANY SORT MUST BE TURNED OFF AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS. If a student’s cell phone rings in class, the student may be asked to leave class and be counted as absent. Tardiness of more than 15 minutes will be considered an absence. Five tartdies will equal one absence. Only an illness verified in writing will be considered an excused absence. Exams will not be made up without an excused absence and must be made up the first day the student returns to class from the period of absence. The student is allowed 2 unexcused absences. More than 2 unexcused absences will drop the student’s grade by one letter; every subsequent absence drops the grade another letter. And absence will only be excused if it is verified by a doctor's note or a legal document. Classroom behavior can also have an effect on the student’s grade. Additional policies discussed in class. Five tardies (more than 10 minutes late) comprise one absence. A Tardy of more than 20 minutes will be considered an absence, in addition to the University policy on Disruptive Behavior.

Academic Dishonesty
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at

http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

Disruption of the Learning Environment: Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at:

http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

Notebook Computer Requirement: Each CCSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CCSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.

Student Learning Objectives:

1. To learn the basic history and practice of musical theatre

2. To develop the ability to solve problems applying the concept of theatre, especially as explored in musical theatre, to life situations

No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the classroom.

TEXT Materials:

ONLINE: http://www.musicals101.com/index.html

Also Aristotle's Poetics online: http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/poetics.html

STUDENTS MUST ATTEND A PERFORMANCE OF WICKED AT THE FOX THEATRE SEPT, 14-OCT. 9 OR INTO THE WOODS AT THE ALLIANCE THEATRE AUG. 31-OCT 2. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE STUDENT'S GRADE. ATTENDANCE VERIFIABLE BY DATED TICKET STUB.

Weekly Semester Outline (each week will writing assignments):

The following course schedule is organized by semester weeks. The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.

WEEKLY COURSE OUTLINE:

1: Introduction: History of theatre

2. Continuing history of music theatre from Mozart to The Beggar’s Opera to Gilbert and Sullivan

3. Burlesque and Music Hall; Ziegfeld/Williams and Walker/ The Roaring Twenties

4. The Gershwins, (Porgy and Bess), Cole Porter; Duke Ellington

5. Rogers and Hammerstein/modern musicals

6. 1950s

7. Review and MIDTERM

9: 1960s and after First presentation and discussion of performance scenes

10: Modern and Contemporary work

11: REVIEW and final selection of performance scenes

12: Rehearsals, group work and critique

13: Rehearsals, group work and critique

14: Final presentations

15: Final presentations