UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON COURSE SYLLABUS Fall 2014 THEA 3320-001 (80809) Playwriting 1 Instructor: Dr. Natalie Gaupp Office Number: FA 268 (Fine Arts Building, Central Section) Office Telephone Number: 817.272.9503 UTA E-mail Address: ngaupp@uta.edu Faculty Profile: https://www.uta.edu/profiles/natalie-gaupp Office Hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 10am-10:30am Section Information: THEA 3320-001, Playwriting I Time and Place of Class Meetings: Tuesdays, 1pm-3:50pm, FA 327-A Description of Course Content: The art and craft of constructing a play. Students write playlets, scenes, and one-act plays for in-house performance and/or instructor evaluation. Student Learning Outcomes: The student will obtain a well-rounded knowledge of the skills necessary to create a literary work for the stage, and use those skills to craft a literary work for the stage. Furthermore, the student will be able to use the concepts and principles discussed in class to complete specified written coursework components, including exploratory writing assignments such as the construction of monologues and short scenes. Required Textbooks and Other Course Materials: The following text is required for assigned reading and in-class use, and will be absolutely necessary in order for you to successfully complete all exams. It is STRONGLY recommended that all students acquire this text by the first day of class. (UTA Bookstore is specifically carrying this text for our course.) THE ART OF DRAMATIC WRITING by Lajos Egri Also, at each class meeting, please bring pen and paper, or the appropriate technology, in order to take notes. Descriptions of Major Assignments and Examinations: In addition to Exploratory Written Assignments which will take place at almost every class date (--see attached Course Schedule for specifics), Major Assignments and Examinations will be required. Below you will find brief descriptions Major Assignments and Examinations (--full descriptions, directions and specific requirements will be provided during class; due dates are listed on the attached Course Schedule). MAJOR ASSIGNMENT #1: A complete 10-minute play. See due date on Course Schedule (attached). EXAM #1 (MID-SEMESTER EXAM): A written exam over approximately the first 50% of the content of the required textbook. See due date on Course Schedule (attached).
2 MAJOR ASSIGNMENT #2: A complete one-act play. See due date on Course Schedule (attached). EXAM #2 (FINAL EXAM): A written exam over approximately the last 50% of the content of the required textbook. See due date on Course Schedule (attached). Attendance Policy: This course has a REQUIRED ATTENDANCE POLICY. For the successful completion of this course, all elements of this REQUIRED ATTENDANCE POLICY must be fully observed. This REQUIRED ATTENDANCE POLICY is as follows: A student is allowed two absences without grade point deductions; this is due to the condensed time period of each meeting of this class (course meets once per week). Every absence after the second absence will result in the deduction of one full letter grade from the student s final semester grade; the ONLY standard exception to this policy is when a student can provide an official excuse from a doctor, with full contact information for the doctor's office, for the specific absence which is over and above the three allotted absences. (See your student health center for a medical excuse if you cannot visit your regular doctor). Three tardies total, of any length of time whatsoever, will equal one absence. Being tardy to a Major Assignment or Exam (or the syllabus equivalent of a Major Assignment or Exam) may result in a grade of zero unless the student provides an official excuse from a doctor, with full contact information for the doctor's office, which clearly indicates that a medical emergency restricted the student from prompt attendance to, the completion of, or the turning in of a Major Assignment or Exam at the specified due date/time. THE SIGN-IN ATTENDANCE SHEET FOR THIS COURSE IS CIRCULATED PROMPTLY AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF EACH AND EVERY CLASS. Students who arrive to class tardy have the sole responsibility to see the instructor IMMEDIATELY after class to sign the attendance sheet. If a student does not sign the sign attendance sheet they are counted ABSENT. Sign-in only for YOURSELF; the instructor WILL file a grievance with the university if any student signs in for another student. Contact the instructor via e-mail (ngaupp@uta.edu) within twenty-four hours of any missed class in order to stay current with all course content. At The University of Texas at Arlington, taking attendance is not required. Rather, each and every faculty member is free to develop his or her own methods of evaluating students academic performance, which includes establishing course-specific policies on attendance. As the instructor of this section, I have ABSOLUTELY chosen to take attendance and all elements cited in this Required Attendance Policy are absolutely crucial to student success in this course. Grading: Course grades are not curved." Extra credit is not available for this course. The student may acquire up to a total of one thousand grade points, determined by the following assignments and examinations: Maximum of 300 grade points=twelve Exploratory Writing Assignments (--short writing assignments such as analyses or developmental work, monologues, scenes, or critiques) worth 25 points each.
Maximum of 150 points=major Assignment #1 (--a complete 10-minute play). Maximum of 150 points=exam #1/Mid-Semester Exam (--over approximately the first 50% of the content of the required textbook). Maximum of 250 points=major Assignment #2 (--a complete one-act play). Maximum of 150 points=exam #2/Final Exam (--over approximately the last 50% of the content of the required textbook). At the end of the semester, the student's total grade points received will be divided by ten in order to place the score on the traditional one hundred point scale. The overall grade for the semester will then be represented thusly: A=Excellent=90 to 100 points B=Good=80 to 89 points C=Fair=70 to 79 points D=Passing=60 to 69 points F=Failure= 59 points or less Policies for Make-Up Work: If a student misses the due date/time for ANY Major Assignment or Exam, or misses any of the Exploratory Writing Assignments conducted in class, a grade of zero will be entered as the student s grade for that Major Assignment, Exam or Exploratory Writing Assignment. The ONLY standard exception to this policy is when a student can provide an official excuse from a doctor, with full contact information for the doctor's office, which clearly indicates that a medical emergency restricted the student. (See your student health center for a medical excuse if you cannot visit your regular doctor). Any Make-Up opportunity that might be afforded to the student must be conducted in a timely manner, within the parameters defined/specified by the instructor, during the given semester; the student will be given the grade of zero if the Make- Up opportunity is not completed by the given deadline and within all parameters defined/specified by the instructor. A final grade of Incomplete (INC) can only be negotiated in extreme circumstances on a case-by-case basis and is NEVER automatically given; please see the university catalog and your Academic Advisor for all crucial information in regard to the policies related to the grade of Incomplete (INC). Grade Grievances: Any appeal of a grade in this course must follow the procedures and deadlines for grade-related grievances as published in the current undergraduate catalog, which is cited here: In attempting to resolve any student grievances regarding grades, it is the student s obligation first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the individual with whom the grievance originated. Individual course instructors retain primary responsibility for assigning grades. The instructor s judgment is final unless compelling evidence shows discrimination, preferential treatment or procedural irregularities. If students wish to appeal, their request must be submitted in writing on an appeal form available in departmental or program offices to the department chair or program director. The student has one calendar year from the date the grade is assigned to initiate the grievance. The normal academic channels are department chair or program director and then academic dean. However, before considering a grievance, the department chair or program director will refer the issue to a departmental or program committee of faculty. If the student does not find the committee s decision acceptable, the student may appeal to the academic dean. The decision of the dean is final. Information specific to the procedures to be followed in each academic unit is available in the office of the academic dean. The dean of the college or school in which a student is enrolled, or the Executive Director of University College if the student has not declared a pre-major or major, has jurisdiction over the student s program of study, degree requirements and all other academic matters 3
4 including grievances. However, students taking a course in a college or school other than the one in which they are primarily registered are subject to the dean of the college or school in which the course is offered concerning the course and academic grievances regarding the course. For issues involving scholastic dishonesty, see the Academic Dishonesty entry in this section of the catalog. Drop Policy: Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Undeclared students must see an advisor in the University Advising Center. Drops can continue through a point two-thirds of the way through the term or session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. For more info, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (http://wweb.uta.edu/aao/fao/). Americans with Disabilities Act: The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of all federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All instructors at UT Arlington are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Any student requiring an accommodation for this course must provide the instructor with official documentation in the form of a letter certified by the staff in the Office for Students with Disabilities, University Hall 102. Only those students who have officially documented a need for an accommodation will have their request honored. Info regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations can be found at www.uta.edu/disability or by calling the Office for Students with Disabilities at (817) 272-3364. Title IX: The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to upholding U.S. Federal Law Title IX such that no member of the UT Arlington community shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity. For more info, visit www.uta.edu/titleix. Academic Integrity: Students enrolled all UT Arlington courses are expected to adhere to the UT Arlington Honor Code: I pledge, on my honor, to uphold UT Arlington s tradition of academic integrity, a tradition that values hard work and honest effort in the pursuit of academic excellence. I promise that I will submit only work that I personally create or contribute to group collaborations, and I will appropriately reference any work from other sources. I will follow the highest standards of integrity and uphold the spirit of the Honor Code. UT Arlington faculty members may employ the Honor Code as they see fit in their courses, including (but not limited to) having students acknowledge the honor code as part of an examination or requiring students to incorporate the honor code into any work submitted. Per UT System Regents Rule 50101, 2.2, suspected violations of university s standards for academic integrity (including the Honor Code) will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. Violators will be disciplined in accordance with University policy, which may result in the student s suspension or expulsion from the University. Electronic Communication: UT Arlington has adopted MavMail as its official means to communicate with students about important deadlines and events, as well as to transact university-
5 related business regarding financial aid, tuition, grades, graduation, etc. All students are assigned a MavMail account and are responsible for checking the inbox regularly. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, which remains active even after graduation. Information about activating and using MavMail is available at http://www.uta.edu/oit/cs/email/mavmail.php. Student Feedback Survey: At the end of each term, students enrolled in classes categorized as lecture, seminar, or laboratory shall be directed to complete an online Student Feedback Survey (SFS). Instructions on how to access the SFS for this course will be sent directly to each student through MavMail approximately 10 days before the end of the term. Each student s feedback enters the SFS database anonymously and is aggregated with that of other students enrolled in the course. UT Arlington s effort to solicit, gather, tabulate, and publish student feedback is required by state law; students are strongly urged to participate. For more information, visit http://www.uta.edu/sfs. Final Review Week: A period of five class days prior to the first day of final examinations in the long sessions shall be designated as Final Review Week. The purpose of this week is to allow students sufficient time to prepare for final examinations. During this week, there shall be no scheduled activities such as required field trips or performances; and no instructor shall assign any themes, research problems or exercises of similar scope that have a completion date during or following this week unless specified in the class syllabus. During Final Review Week, an instructor shall not give any examinations constituting 10% or more of the final grade, except makeup tests and laboratory examinations. In addition, no instructor shall give any portion of the final examination during Final Review Week. During this week, classes are held as scheduled. In addition, instructors are not required to limit content to topics that have been previously covered; they may introduce new concepts as appropriate. Emergency Exit Procedures: Should we experience an emergency event that requires us to vacate the building, students should exit the room and move toward the nearest exit, which is located outside the immediate exit to the room via the stairwell. When exiting the building during an emergency, one should never take an elevator but should use the stairwells. Faculty members and instructional staff will assist students in selecting the safest route for evacuation and will make arrangements to assist individuals with disabilities. Student Support Services: UT Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. Resources include tutoring, major-based learning centers, developmental education, advising and mentoring, personal counseling, and federally funded programs. For individualized referrals, students may visit the reception desk at University College (Ransom Hall), call the Maverick Resource Hotline at 817-272-6107, send a message to resources@uta.edu, or view the information at www.uta.edu/resources. Department of Theatre Arts Attendance/Production Duty Policy: Students who fail to meet class attendance requirements may be removed from acting, directing, design, stage management, and/or other major production positions for the current semester's productions at the discretion of the department chair. (Refer to the Theatre Arts Student Handbook for all updated policies.) Conferences/Auditions: Department of Theatre Arts majors are encouraged to participate in theatre conferences and auditions. However, Theatre Arts majors are required to submit an excused
6 absence request to the instructor no less than two full weeks prior to the conference/audition in order for the instructor to consider granting an excused absence. Such notification must be in writing and support documentation will be required to verify the Theatre Arts major s attendance, completion and/or successful (or professionally worthwhile) participation in said conference or audition. All students are expected to complete all coursework (as stipulated in the syllabus) and all course requirements (as stipulated by the syllabus) in a timely manner (the term timely manner will be defined/specified by the instructor at the time the Theatre Arts major submits their excused absence request to the instructor for initial consideration). At the discretion of the instructor, class participation grades may be affected; therefore, Theatre Arts majors are advised to fully consult with the instructor prior to engaging in such activities.
Course Schedule: Tuesday, Aug. 26 Introduction to course, syllabus, required text, and distribution of instructor's bio Exploratory Writing Assignment #1 Research assignment (due Tuesday, Sept. 2); please locate a published/printed article in a newspaper or magazine that really captures your interest, and BRING IN that published/printed article on Tuesday, Sept. 2 (MUST BRING IN one copy of the actual published article, PRINTED ON PAPER, it will need to be circulated in class and then turned in to the instructor, do not plan to read the article off of a computer screen) Reading assignment; please have read the following sections in the textbook no later than Tuesday, Oct. 21, in order to be prepared for Exam #1: Introduction, Forward, Preface, I. Premise, II. Character Tuesday, Sept. 2 Discussion of the concept of Premise (from the textbook) Discussion of the 10-minute play (Assignment Instructions and Formatting Example distributed to class) Discussion of the 10-minute play critique sheet Discussion of the 10-minute play grade sheet Sign-up for 10-minute play due date Exploratory Writing Assignment #2 (YOU MUST HAVE the published/printed article, PRINTED OUT ON PAPER, as assigned at last week s class meeting) Tuesday, Sept. 9 Class readings of examples of published ten minute plays Discussion of Some Basic Theatrical Concepts at a Glance Discussion of progress on 10-minute play Exploratory Writing Assignment #3 Tuesday, Sept. 16 Discussion of progress on 10-minute play Exploratory Writing Assignment #4 Tuesday, Sept. 23 10-minute play due date/reading (--for those signed up for this date) Exploratory Writing Assignment #5 (--a 10-minute play critique) Tuesday, Sept. 30 10-minute play due date/reading (--for those signed up for this date) Exploratory Writing Assignment #6 (--a 10-minute play critique) Tuesday, Oct. 7 Special Guest Artist today Exploratory Writing Assignment #7 Tuesday, Oct. 14 Discussion of the one-act play (Assignment Instructions distributed to class) Discussion of one-act play critiques Sign-up for one-act play discussion session (with instructor) Sign-up for one-act play due date/reading Exploratory Writing Assignment #8 Tuesday, Oct. 21 Exam #1 distributed and discussed (--a take home exam) Discussion of progress on one-act play Exploratory Writing Assignment #9 7
Tuesday, Oct. 28 DEADLINE for turn-in of Exam #1/Mid-Semester Exam during classtime (1pm-3:50pm) in person, in instructor s office (FA 268). Please note that no exams will be accepted past today's 3:50pm deadline. Reading assignment; please have read the following sections in the textbook no later than Tuesday, Dec. 2, in order to be prepared for Exam #2/Final Exam: III. Conflict, IV. General Note: You will not be tested over Appendices, Index, and About the Author. You may read/study Appendices, Index, and About the Author at your sole discretion. 8 Tuesday, Nov. 4 One-act play discussion session with instructor in her office (FA 268) for those signed up for an appointment time on this date; please note that your successfully completed session will count as Exploratory Writing Assignment #10 Tuesday, Nov. 11 One-act play discussion session with instructor in her office (FA 268) for those signed up for an appointment time on this date; please note that your successfully completed session will count as Exploratory Writing Assignment #10 Tuesday, Nov. 18 One-act play due date/reading (--for those signed up for this date) Exploratory Writing Assignment #11 (--a one-act play critique) Tuesday, Nov. 25 One-act play due date/reading (--for those signed up for this date) Exploratory Writing Assignment #12 (--a one-act play critique) Tuesday, Dec. 2 Special Guest Artist today Exam #2/Final Exam distributed and discussed (--a take home exam) Tuesday, Dec. 9 DEADLINE for turn-in of Exam #2/Final Exam from 2pm-4:30pm in instructor s office (FA 268). Please note that no exams (or any other assignment you may be attempting to turn in) will be accepted past today's 4:30pm deadline. PLEASE NOTE: As the instructor for this course, I reserve the right to adjust this schedule in any way that serves the educational needs of the students enrolled in this course. Dr. Natalie J. Gaupp If you wish to know your Exam #2/Final Exam grade, semester grade, or any other grade, or have any question related to the course, you may contact the instructor at ngaupp@uta.edu. If you wish to have your graded Exam #2/Final Exam returned to you (or any other uncollected papers returned to you), please notify the instructor when you turn in your Exam #2/Final Exam in OR contact the instructor by e-mail at ngaupp@uta.edu BEFORE December 31, 2014, to make arrangements for pick-up. All unclaimed work will be destroyed if not claimed, or if arrangements have not been made for pick-up, by December 31, 2014.