Introduction to Performance Studies

                                                               Diane Howard, Ph.D.

Textbook- Performance Studies, The Interpretation of Aesthetic Texts by Ronald Pelias
Course Goals-
  • Students will create a final aesthetic performance.
  • Students will examine various types of aesthetic texts.
  • Students will use performance as a method of inquiry.
  • Students will become informed as critics of artistic
    performances.
Course Requirements-
  • Students are expected to attend each class period and are to   be graded daily on assignments.
  • Students will rehearse and prepare a final performance in
    small groups.
  • Members of small groups are expected to coach and critique
    fellow group members in terms of the objectives of each
    week.
  • Students will each give a final one-person performance, five
    to ten minutes in length.
  • Students will take pop quizzes.
  • Students will take mid-term and final examinations.
Grading- One fourth of the final course grade is to be based on in-class participation and attendance. One fourth is to be based on the final performance.One fourth is to be based on pop quizzes and a mid-term examination. The final fourth is to be based on the final examination.

Class Outline-

Week Assignment (One week ahead)

Introduction to Course- Read Preface & Ch.1

  1. Understanding Performance- Read Ch.2, Find examples of aesthetic texts for oral rdg.
  2. Defining Performance Studies- Read Ch.3
  3. History-Performance Studies- Read Ch.4, Find a dramatic text.Prepare to bring it to class to discuss in terms of the pentad.
  4. Dramatistic Approach Read Ch.5, Find a text to bring to class to perform.
  5. Voice and Body Read Ch.6, Find samples of texts in 1st,2nd,and 3rd persons to bring to class to perform.
  6. Empathy Read Ch.7, Find samples of texts in the dramatic, and epic modes to bring to class to perform.
  7. Language Read Ch.8, Find a dramatic text to bring to class to discuss in terms of 6 stages of conflict,sequence patterns, character speech, sound, and rhythm.
  8. Structures Read Ch.9, Prepare for final performance.
  9. Audience, Read Ch.10, Prepare performance.
  10. - 14. Evaluative Role of Audience, Prepare/perform/evaluate final performances.Semester Review

    11.  

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