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COM 116 is a survey course designed to introduce college students to the artistic process of studying and communicating literature through its performance. In this course you will "try on" other people's voices, bodies, emotions, and perceptions by embodying speakers who are depicted in literature. Some students have aptly described the course as a cross between acting and literary study. During the semester we will concentrate on how performance can enhance your understanding and appreciation of literature and how you can communicate your understanding to a viewing audience. In other words, performance is a way of knowing; performance of a text allows you to know the text in a more profound manner. As such, this class figures prominently as a humanities-based course. Lectures, readings, class discussions, performances, and class exercises should strengthen your understanding of the theoretical principles of performance as they apply to the major genres of literature: prose fiction (short stories and novels), drama (plays), and poetry. In so doing, the course will focus on (1) literature and its structure, and (2) performance choices that best illuminate the subtleties and nuances of literature. Additionally, this course is offered to you as a means by which you can learn more about yourself, others, and life in general.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES: Completion of this course should help you: 1. To understand and appreciate quality literature. 2. To create compelling introductions to performances of literature. 3. To interpret literature with integrity and demonstrate your interpretation by selection and implementation of appropriate performance analogues. 4. To communicate your interpretation of literature with believability, honesty, and artistry. 5. To understand the dominant features of the three major literary genres--poetry, prose fiction, and drama. 6. To develop a vocabulary which enables you to discuss texts and their performance and effectively offer and accept constructive criticism of self and others. 7. To understand and apply the principles of two types of literary analysis--dramatic and modal--to a literary text. 8. To effectively perform speakers and dramatic situations in a variety of literary texts. 9. To improve listening skills. 10. To demonstrate control of voice, body, and emotions. 11. To understand and channel performance anxiety in appropriate ways. 12 To understand yourselves and others better as a result of studying and sharing literary texts. 13. To attain a sense of your capacity as a creative individual.
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Performances: (3 Total) 1. SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY POEM AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY: 2. PROSE FICTION NARRATIVE or DRAMA EXCERPT and ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION: 3. FINAL PERFORMANCE INCLUDING ORIGINAL INTRODUCTION: Written Assignments: 1. Dramatic
and Modal analysis for the Spoon
River poem: QUESTIONS. 2. Self
evaluation as a result of viewing your first videotaped performance. 3. Description/analysis of out-of-class production or performance.
Teacher Evaluation/Course Participation: Included in this grade are consideration of the following criteria: 1. Daily class preparedness; knowledge of literary selections, textbook and handout material, and lecture notes 2. Participation in class discussions and quality of contributions 3. Positive attitude toward others and class activities 4. Original, creative thinking and synthesis of information 5. Willingness to expand your creative capacities 6. Prompt, neat, thorough, and thoughtful written assignments 7. Enthusiastic participation in warm-ups and creative exercises 8. Commitment to the course objectives as demonstrated by serving as a willing critic of your own and other’s performances; participating in group evaluations with true collaborative spirit 9. Willingness to listen (and not engage in chit-chat) during lectures, discussions, and performances 10. IMPORTANT: Indication that you have thoroughly read and understood the syllabus and the course packet in their entirety so that you understand all course policies and daily assignments
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