DRA 112 Literature of the Theatre

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Clinic: 0 Credits: 3

This course provides a survey of dramatic works from the classical Greek through the present. Emphasis is placed on the language of drama, critical theory, and background as well as on play reading and analysis. Upon completion, students should be able to articulate, orally and in writing, their appreciation and understanding of dramatic works.

This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a general education course in Humanities/Fine Arts.

Course is typically offered in Fall.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
At completion of the course, the student should be able to do the following:

Categorize world theatre literature by examining characteristics as they relate to social, political, and artistic climates and time periods through testing and written analysis.
Compare the dramatic form and structure of different genres of theatre literature by determining identifying components of styles through in-class exercises, testing, and performance-based assignments.
Develop critical analyses of characters in selected plays and musicals by formulating informed written opinions about physical, societal, psychological and moral aspects of individual characters.
Examine the lives and body of work of assigned playwrights, lyricists and composers through research, written and verbal presentations.
Interpret plays by analyzing key themes through testing, in-class discussion and written work.
Analyze the structure of modern musicals including “ensemble songs,” “character songs,” and “I want songs,” through testing, in-class exercises and a written research paper.