THAR 10B:  SCENE STUDY AND CHARACTERIZATION
Course Syllabus Summary:  Fall 2020 (Section 2155)

Course Description

This enjoyable, yet fast paced, course is designed to provide you with a solid background in character development through script analysis, vocal /physical techniques, and the study of a variety of acting tools.  The primary mode of learning and assessment in this class is scene study.  You will perform in three different kinds of scenes, as well as assemble a contrasting monologue package by semester's end.   In addition, you'll be creating a unique portrayal of a classmate for one of your first performance assignments!

In between performances, we will explore a range of techniques and approaches to acting that you can apply to your performance work.  There will be both homework and out-of-class rehearsals expected for this class; make certain you can make the full commitment because your actions directly affect others in this course.  If you "choose to accept this mission," I am delighted and I look forward to work with you!

 Prerequisite:  Satisfactory completion of THAR 10A or college equivalent.  Transferable:  CSU and UC.

Student Learning Outcomes

(from the official Course Outline of Record – view full Outline on college’s website)

“Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to develop, rehearse and perform a variety of roles in scenes and monologues from modern realistic plays, creating distinct and believable characterizations through the application of physical and vocal techniques, script analysis, research, and varied acting methodologies.”

Class Meetings

This course will meet synchronistically.  That means that we will meet each week via Zoom from 2:30pm-5:10.  (The class is listed to end at 5:20, but we end at 5:10 for students who have later classes).

During each class meeting, we'll work in a variety of ways, as a group in the main session, in teams in breakout rooms, and sometimes in individual coaching sessions.  There may also be times when students are instructed to leave the Zoom room to complete assigned tasks offline for a period of class time and then return to the class meeting.

Instructor Contact

Instructor:        Laura Downing-Lee

(Students are welcome to call me "Laura", "Ms. Downing-Lee", or "Ms. Lee"; use whichever you are most comfortable using.  My preferred pronouns:  She/Her/Hers)

Instructor Email:          ldowning@santarosa.edu

Instructor Phone:         (707) 527-4420

(Calls will go to Voice Mail; I will receive an email notification of the voice mail and return your call as soon as I can.)

Zoom Office Hours:         MW 2:00-3:00 and other times by special appointment 

(Email me for an office hour appointment and I'll send you the Zoom link.)

Course Web Site

Students will use the Canvas course web site for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmate's work, sharing resources, and viewing grades.

Textbook

Barton, Robert.  Acting:  Onstage and Off.   SEVENTH edition. ISBN - 9781305077447

If you already have a copy of the 6th edition of the entire textbook (also used in THAR 10A), that's okay; we'll make it work for you this semester. 

The SRJC Bookstore has the complete textbook available for a digital subscription for the semester.  Although you can also rent or purchase a hard copy of the textbook through the bookstore, the digital subscription is the most economical option...by far!

You can locate and order textbooks online via the SRJC Bookstore. Note that if you want to pick your books up in Petaluma, you need to order them from the Petaluma Bookstore website.

Required Software

You might need the following software for this course at some point.  If there is other software or apps that we find would be useful this semester for the class, I'll update this part of the syllabus and let you know.  (Suggestions from students are also welcome!)

• Adobe Reader
• Open Office

Important Dates

Day Class Begins:   Tuesday, August 25, 2020 (Special late starting date)

Last Regular Class Meeting:  Thursday, December 10, 2020

FINAL:  1:00-3:45, Thursday, December 17, 2020 

College-Wide Dates for Full Semester Classes

Last Day to Add without instructor's approval:  August 23, 2020

Last Day to Drop a Semester-Length Class and be eligible for a refund:  August 30, 2020

Last Day to Add with instructor's approval: Sept. 6, 2020

Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: Sept. 6, 2020

Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: Nov. 15, 2020

Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass:  Dec. 18, 2020 (due to Covid-19)  Note:  This class cannot be taken P/NP.

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course (although I hope you won't!), it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%). 

Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum

I will post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. A “Q&A Forum” is also on Canvas to ask for assistance of your classmates or of instructor.

Since this is my first semester using Canvas, I may also send announcements to the class through your Portal (MyCubby).  Please may it a habit to check Canvas, the announcements section of your Cubby, and your personal email regularly so you don't miss something important.

Attendance

Show up on time AND ready to work for every class meeting.  Acting is a collaborative art form and your daily participation is crucial to your learning experience, as well as those of your fellow actors.

• Attendance in Uncertain Times:  We are all facing stressful and uncertain conditions this semester due to Covid-19, as well as our region's fires and other events.  If you are unable to attend class temporarily due to situations like these, please contact me right away and I will accommodate your absence(s) as best I can.  All I ask is that you only use this option when you really need it.
• Otherwise, three (3) absences will result in your course grade dropping one full grade; four (4) absences will result in you being dropped from the course.  Three late/unprepared arrivals will equal one absence.
• With the exception of an excused absence, failure to attend any scheduled in-class rehearsal, coaching session, or performance may result in a grade drop of two letter grades (from an A to a C) for that assignment. An excused absence is supported by a written/signed document on letterhead with contact information from a doctor, court official, or other authority.
• Any anticipated absences for the semester (ACTF, team/class events, long commutes, or personal responsibilities) must be discussed with me within the first two weeks of the course. Unless it’s an emergency, please don’t schedule work, or make travel plans or personal appointments (counseling, doctor appt., etc.) during class time.  This class is filled with partnered exercises and assignments; therefore, any absence can negatively impact the whole class.

Late Policy

Unless posted other, all assignments are due at the start of class on the due date.  A late submission will receive a 10%-20% penalty, depending on the assignment. Submissions more than one week late are not accepted without prior arrangement. Late work will not be graded unless student sends instructor an email with URL for late work.

Performance Assignments

Over the course of the semester, you will complete the following performance assignments:

• One “original” monologue (something special!), working with a partner
• One creative short partnered scene 
• Two partnered scenes from published plays
• Two monologues in a contrasting monologue package

Other Assignments

• Attend both online SRJC productions this semester (You'll receive a free "ticket" for each show).  If you are either in the cast or crew, you will still be able to complete this assignment.
• Complete written performance packets for each performance assignment (includes scoring, research, and analysis assignments designed to help your performance work).
• Complete 5-8 reading worksheet/quizzes and one exam on terms/concepts
• Maintain daily/weekly notes on class subject matter in your notebook (actor's journal).
• No Class Binder This Semester:  Since we will not be face-to-face this semester, you will not be required to maintain a class binder.  However, you are encouraged to retain all class materials for future reference.

Grading Policy

Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. Since this is my first semester using Canvas, it may take me awhile to post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook.  If you have any questions about your grade in the class at any time, please contact me and we will discuss your progress.

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A	90%	450 points or more
B	80%	400-449 points
C	70%	350 to 399 points
D	60%	300 to 349 points

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:
SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's policy on Academic Integrity

Other Important Policies and Practices

Avoid Plagiarism Like the, er, Plague:  Although most students have likely heard about plagiarism during their years of schooling, it still is prevalent-even in higher education.  The video below reviews what plagiarism is and how not to do it.

Plagiarism: How to avoid it

Netiquette, or Why Is It Harder to Be Polite Online?

Netiquette refers to using common courtesy in online communication. All members of the class are expected to follow netiquette in all course communications. Use these guidelines:

• Use capital letters sparingly. THEY LOOK LIKE SHOUTING.
• Forward emails only with a writer's permission.
• Be considerate of others' feelings and use language carefully.
• Cite all quotations, references, and sources (otherwise, it is plagiarism).
• Use humor carefully. It is hard to "read" tone; sometimes humor can be misread as criticism or personal attack. Feel free to use emoticons like :) for a smiley face to let others know you are being humorous.
• Use complete sentences and standard English grammar to compose posts. Write in proper paragraphs. Review work before submitting it.
• Text speak, such as "ur" for "your" or "ru" for "are you" etc., is only acceptable when texting.

Special Needs

Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278), as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.