ENGL
4603, ENGL 5613, AMST 5853:
American Drama Spring
2009
REVISED ASSIGNMENTS
Revised 1-27-09 to replace assignments in
class syllabus.
Assignments
are subject to announced changes. You
are responsible for all such changes whether or not you are present when they
are made. If a class meeting is canceled
and you receive no instructions to the contrary, continue to follow the
assignment dates given here. When a play
is assigned, read not only the play but also the textbook=s introductions to the playwright and
play, and commentaries on the playwright and play. Italicized
assignments apply only to students taking the course for graduate credit.
Jan. 20 Introduction to course
In-class
viewing of the first part of Desire under the Elms
Jan. 27 Class cancelled because of inclement weather.
Feb.
3 Susan Glaspell, Trifles
Eugene O’Neill, Desire under the Elms
Write about two (2) pages (no less than 1½ and no more than 2½) on one (1) of the following topics in Desire under the Elms:
(1) Discuss the significance of the title of Desire under the Elms. What different types of desire (or objects of desire) do the characters demonstrate? What specific examples of each type (or object) of desire do the characters demonstrate? What references to elms does the play make? What is the significance of the elms?
(2) Discuss the theme of incest in the play. What specific examples of incest are present? What is the significance of incest in the play as a whole?
(3)
Discuss how the play relates to ancient Greek tragedy. What
elements of Greek tragedy are present in the play? What elements of Greek tragedy are
lacking? (Optional: Why does O’Neill use
elements of Greek tragedy? How does the plot of this play relate to
the Greek myth of Phaedra and Hippolytus and/or to
(4) Discuss the play’s references to Judeo-Christian religion. What specific references to the Bible (especially the Old Testament), God, Christianity, etc., does the play contain? What is the function or purpose of these references in the play as a whole?
This assignment will be worth fifteen (15) daily points. Follow the instructions in the document “Computer Format and Manuscript Form” on my home page. Document quotations with parenthetical page references.
Feb. 10 Thornton Wilder, Our Town (found in the single-play edition, not the anthology)
Feb.
17
Video Critique 1: Submit a video critique of Our Town or The Glass Menagerie.
Feb. 24 Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman (including A Production Casebook on this play)
Video Critique 2: Submit a video critique of Death of a Salesman.
Mar. 3 Edward Albee, The Zoo Story
During this week, bring to a 15-minute
conference a proposal for your research paper, including a discussion of topic
(minimum one page), tentative thesis, tentative list of main points to develop
thesis (in complete sentences), and a working bibliography of at least ten (10)
potential sources in MLA form.
Mar. 10 At 7:20 p.m., meet in regular classroom G-280 to see beginning of A Raisin in the Sun.
At 8:30 p.m., meet in computer classroom G-130 to take midterm exam.
Mar. 17: Spring break
Mar.
24
Mar. 31 Sam Shepard, Buried Child
Apr.
7 David Mamet, Glengarry Glen
Ross
Video Critique 3: Submit video critique of A Raisin in the Sun (in its entirety) or Glengarry Glen Ross.
Submit the following items paper-clipped
(not stapled) in this order: checklist; complete
draft of research paper (at least 5 full pages); integrated, highlighted
photocopies or printouts of 3 pages of source material; and works-cited page.
Apr. 14 August Wilson, Fences (including A Production Casebook on this play except for articles on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom)
During this week, have a 30-minute
conference with me to discuss the draft of your research paper.
Apr.
21 Tony Kushner, Angels in
Video Critique 4: Write a video critique of Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches. Extra credit: Watch and respond to Part 2 of Angels in America.
Submit the following items paper-clipped (not stapled) in this order: clean checklist; research paper (at least 5 full pages); integrated, highlighted photocopies or printouts of 3 additional pages of source material; works-cited page; and, in order, all items submitted with draft on Mar. 31.
Apr. 28 Paula Vogel, How I Learned to Drive
May
5 Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic
Theater Project, The
Submit final essay (or no later than May 12).
May 12 Meet in computer classroom G-130 to take final exam.