A survey of the development of architectural and scenic styles in the physical structure of theatre from ancient Greece to its most current forms. Emphasis placed on the stylistic influences of theoreticians and social and artistic movements. Course co/prerequisite: ENG 1101

Interdisciplinary Option

This course is a conversation between theater history and architecture. As such, the work in class focuses on purpose-built and adapted spaces for live performance. Each week we will examine historical theatre spaces and technologies in the context of prevailing cultural and social forces in order to better understand audience/stage relationships. To fulfill the interdisciplinary requirements for this course, specialists from architecture, art history, and performance technology will guest lecture six times over the course of the semester. Students will learn a skill-set from architecture technology: GIS mapping.

Required Materials and Activities

We use OER materials for this course, so there are no textbook costs. Students must maintain an OpenLab account and join the class site. Readings, announcements, assignments, and study materials are disseminated through OpenLab. Password for readings: stageandtech. The course Blackboard site contains student grades.

Admission fees. Students are required to attend two theatrical productions. These tickets will be partly subsidized by the Humanities Department and the cost will be minimal. Options for student-priced (low cost) tickets are here.

Assignments and Grading

OpenLab Reading Responses (Posts): Students will respond individually to prompts on OpenLab. For full credit, students need to respond to six prompts throughout the semester. Submissions made after the due date will not be accepted. Responses need to be written in complete sentences and demonstrate 1) that the student read and understood the material and 2) that the student provides an original, unique response to the prompt.  Students will be able to see the work of their colleagues therefore every response needs to be unique (no plagiarism). (30%)  Sketchbook: Students must bring an 8×10 sketchbook at two drawing pencils (4h or 3h AND 3b or 4b) to all classes and site visits. Sketchbooks will be graded at the end of the semester. Sketches are evaluated on the basis of 1) effort exhibited in completing the task (including all details, without rushing) and 2) demonstrated improvement over the course of the semester. Students are not rewarded for innate or learned sketching skills. Only effort and improvement are considered. (10%) Research Project (see full instructions in Assignments). Scaffolded, three stages (35% total). Act I (10%), Act II (10%), Act III (15%). Instructions here. Quizzes. Four quizzes on reading and lectures. Fill in the blank, matching and short answer. Short answers need to be written in complete sentences. Students are expected to know the names of architects, playwrights, and designers; names of theaters; descriptions of technologies; names of production designs; and definitions of theoretical and historical terms. Students should also be able to explain connections among historical technologies, ideas, social class, theater architecture and stage conventions. List of terms and definitions for each module are at the beginning of each set of lecture slides. There are no make-ups for missed quizzes. (20%) Citizenship. Citizenship means arriving to class on time and prepared, participating in large and small group discussions actively, attentively, and effectively, refraining from distracting or negative behavior, and consistently engaging and investing in the work of the course and in your own development as a researcher, writer, and thinker. One goal of a college education is to engage crucially in the material, which means summarizing your ideas persuasively, defending your interpretations with evidence, listening to those who disagree with you, and re-evaluating your claims based on other arguments or evidence. The citizenship grade is based on the degree to which you participate in discussions (oral and online), contribute to collaborative work, ask questions, respond to verbal prompts, challenge assumptions, and carefully consider others’ ideas. Although there is no direct penalty for missed classes, the more classes you miss the less you are able to participate. Missed classes will affect your Citizenship grade. Lecture note postings are part of this grade as well. (5%)

Grading Scale 

A 93-100	C 70-76.9
A- 90-92.9	D 60-69.9
B+ 87-89.9	F 59.9 and below
B 83-86.9	WU Unofficial Withdrawal
B- 80-82.9	WF Withdrew Failing
C+ 77-79.9

Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Statement

Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at the New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.

Cheating on an exam or plagiarizing on a written assignment will automatically result in an ‘F’. The first violation of academic integrity will result in the submission of a Faculty Action Report form to the Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Repeat offenders will automatically fail the course and a second FAR form will be submitted, which will result in a permanent record on your transcript and potential disciplinary action by the college, including expulsion. 

Humanities Department Attendance Policy

It is the conviction of the Humanities Department that a student who is not in a class for any reason is not receiving the benefit of the education being provided. Missed class time includes not just absences but also latenesses, early departures, and time outside the classroom taken by students during class meeting periods. Missed time impacts any portion of the final grade overtly allocated to participation (“Citizenship”) and/or any grades awarded for activities that relate to presence in class. Students who miss a scheduled presentation, field trip, or exam due to illness or medically related emergencies will be referred to the Center for Student Accessibility. The CSA will review any documentation requested and give the student a letter to share with the relevant instructor if accommodations need to be made. Only a letter from the CSA will excuse an absence.

Note: If you only come to the start of class for the roll call, and then leave, you will still be marked absent. 

Statement on Students with Disabilities

City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies and testing accommodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state and city laws. You may also request services for temporary conditions or medical issues under certain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility or would like to seek accommodation services or academic adjustments, please contact the Center for Student Accessibility at 300 Jay Street room L-237, 718 260 5143, or http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/accessibility/.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that New York City is built on unceded land of the Lenape people–past, present, and future. We acknowledge that The New York City College of Technology is among the thousands of institutions and businesses in this city that were founded upon exclusions and erasures of indigenous people, including the Lenape who were displaced from this land. This acknowledgement demonstrates a commitment to beginning the process of working to dismantle the legacies of settler colonialism. (Adapted from statement at: http://landacknowledgements.org/)

Interdisciplinary Learning Outcomes / Assessment Methods

Learning Outcomes	Assessment Methods
Upon successful completion of this course the student shall be able to:	To evaluate the students’ achievement of the learning objectives, the professor will do the following:
1. Purposefully connect and integrate across discipline knowledge and skills to solve problems.	1. Review student reflections and the final report to evaluate integrative, multidisciplinary thinking.
2. Synthesize and transfer knowledge across disciplinary boundaries.	2. Review student reflections and the final report to evaluate integrative, multidisciplinary thinking.
3. Comprehend factors inherent in complex problems.	3. Review the students’ research methodology proposal and bibliography to evaluate critical thinking and analysis across disciplines.
4. Think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively.	4. Review the students research notes and diagrams; Review the final report to evaluate critical thinking, effective communication, and effective collaboration.
5. Become flexible thinkers.	5. Review the students’ notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the discovery process.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes / Assessment Methods

Learning Outcomes	Assessment Methods
Upon successful completion of this course the student shall be able to:	To evaluate the students’ achievement of the learning objectives, the professor will do the following:
1. Use the city as a laboratory for learning.	1. Review the students’ notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the care of observation and the reflection of important issues discovered.
2. Develop a methodological approach to research.	2. Review the students’ research methodology proposal and bibliography to evaluate critical thinking and analysis across disciplines.
3. Understand the cultural, social and economic processes that guide the physical development of the built environment.	3. Review the students research notes and diagrams; Review the final report to evaluate integrative, multidisciplinary thinking.
4. Use analytical skills to investigate places.	4. Review the students’ notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the care of observation and the reflection of important issues discovered.
5. Develop, document, catalogue, and organize information to make it accessible to the public.	5. Review the students’ notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the care of observation and the reflection of important issues discovered; Review the final report to evaluate integrative, multidisciplinary thinking.
6. Apply observational skills to research and analysis.	6. Review the students’ notes, sketches, and photographs to evaluate the care of observation and the reflection of important issues discovered.