THEA 281

THEA 281: Research in Theatre and Film

Prerequisites: CORE 102 or equivalent

Credit Hours: (3)

Students will learn to conduct and utilize research techniques, employ scholarly and professional source materials, and analyze information and arguments for application in dramatic production. This course serves as an alternative to Core 201.

Detailed Description of Course Content

Course content can be set up based either on a topic of the instructor’s choice or the student’s (or as a hybrid approach combining the two.)

Instructor Themed Option: The instructor may focus the course on a genre, writer, set of related works, professional problem or issue, or similar focal point to establish context for the course work.
- Example: Women directors in film and theater
- Example: Revenge: Thematic expressions of vengeance and justice
- Example: Shakespeare on film
Student Centered Option: With support and guidance from the instructor, students would select a topic of personal interest in theater or drama and develop their course activities, research, papers, and presentations based on these decisions.
Hybrid Option: An instructor might elect to guide part of the course under a chosen theme but allow students to pursue their own interests with specific projects.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Course readings: Use of a text or collection of specific articles designed to demonstrate the value of research in argument, composition and theater/cinema concerns such as interpretation, aesthetic choices, characterization, social issues, etc.
Library research activities: Assignments designed to get students in the library (both physically and online) to utilize research databases and other resources.
In class workshops: Class time devoted to working on papers, research and oral presentation with access to both instructor and peer guidance, advice or critique. Class time may be utilized to solve specific problems or simply to work on materials.
Project instruction assignments: Specific class instruction sessions for skill development relevant to the course such as (but not limited to): selection, evaluation and utilization of source materials; paper organization and argumentation; using PowerPoint effectively, etc.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Goal 1: Radford University students will be able to prepare coherent and well-written essays that effectively integrate material from a variety of sources. By the completion of THEA 281, Radford University students will be able to:

· Effectively synthesize and integrate arguments and information.

· Construct a coherent, cohesive essay with a clear sense of purpose.

· Show control over syntax, grammar, punctuation, and spelling to communicate in a style that is clear and appropriate for the purpose and audience of the assignment.

Goal 2: Radford University students will be able to deliver an effective and organized oral presentation and appropriately communicate in interpersonal and small group settings. By the completion of THEA 281, Radford University students will be able to:

· Use an effective organizational pattern in an oral presentation.

· Use effective delivery techniques and language in an oral presentation.

Goal 3: Radford University students will learn to distinguish knowledge from opinion, challenge ideas, and develop reasonable strategies for belief formation. By the completion of THEA 281, Radford University students will be able to:

· Distinguish knowledge from opinion.

· Effectively construct an argument examining multiple sides of a complex issue.

· Apply appropriate supporting evidence within a well-reasoned argument.

Goal 4: Radford University students will be able to locate, evaluate, and cite information. By the completion of THEA 281, Radford University students will be able to:

· Appropriately use a documentation style to cite other people’s work.

· Utilize basic research techniques to locate information.

· Critically evaluate sources using appropriate criteria.

The course will introduce, develop and enhance skills and abilities related to academic and professional success. Assignments will be designed to:

· Develop and apply critical thinking skills including but not limited to analysis of logos, ethos and pathos

· Develop research skills and apply new knowledge analytically

· Develop written and oral communication skills

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

· Locate valuable source materials through research and source quality analysis for application to academic and professional tasks and problems.

· Compose an academic essay that makes an effective case with clear writing, functional organization, research-based argumentation, and unbiased, sound logic.

· Present a focused, detailed argument orally utilizing research, appropriate tone and body language and effective visual aids.

Assessment Measures

Students will produce formal texts, spoken and written, which will be assessed according to the course goals as outlined above. Individual course syllabi will articulate the connections among course assignments, activities, and course goals. For Core A program assessment, individual student competencies will be measured by the instructor using the prescribed assessment tool according to the four course goals. Assessment will be conducted at the end of each semester.

Assignment options may include but are not limited to:

· Academic Research Project: Students will select a topic and related problem relevant to theater or cinema and conduct research culminating in a research paper or annotated bibliography.

o Example: How could Shakespeare’s King Lear be adapted for contemporary high school audiences?

o Example: Is there a contemporary equivalent to Alfred Hitchcock?

· Argument Essay: Students will utilize their research to argue for or against an academic position, interpretation, line of action, etc.

o Example: The character of Cordelia in Shakespeare’s King Lear has the greatest potential to reach young audiences today, but she must be played as a morally conscious character and not simply as an obedient daughter to impact teenagers.

o Example: David Fincher, Jeremy Saulnier, and Robert Eggers all vie for praise as contemporary heirs to Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic legacy.

· Oral Argument: Students will combine research and argument to present a problem, analysis and recommendation in an oral presentation of 5-7 minutes utilizing a visual aid such as PowerPoint.

o Example: Cordelia in Shakespeare’s King Lear should be portrayed as having a self-determined moral compass for contemporary young women to relate to her by focusing on specific delivery styles with her key lines.

o Example: Of the various candidates for a contemporary Alfred Hitchcock, the work of Robert Eggers makes the strongest case.

Other Course Information

This course would be an equivalent for Core 201 designed to serve students in theater, cinematic arts and production.

Review and Approval

December, 2018