Your objectives for this course are to

• learn about the origins and historical development of drama,
• expose yourself to a broad range of dramatic literature,
• gain experience recognizing and interpreting basic dramatic elements (character, plot, theme, close reading, etc.),
• develop an awareness of the complex theatrical context required to bring a dead script back to life (acting, directing, stage effects, financial and political patronage, etc.),
• and ultimately, to discern the core cultural values represented in each play.

To that end, you will:

• read all plays on the syllabus, along with additional readings,
• complete quizzes and exercises to ensure that you are keeping up with the readings and to evaluate your progress,
• attend performances of Fuddy Meers and Kindertransport here at SHU,
• participate regularly in classroom and web-based discussions, and
• write two formal papers (minimum 5 and 8 pages).

You will be invited to read aloud from scripts during class, and may choose to prepare scenes and monologues as part of your class participation grade, but acting ability is not expected.

As part of a university initiative to emphasize the Catholic heritage of this institution, the course will introduce and apply Catholic Social Teaching (CST), a body of baseline philosophical and ethical principles that the Church affirms as necessary for living a fully human life. Key principles of CST include the essential dignity of the human person, the social nature of the human person, and the moral obligations of both governments and individuals to tend to the needs of the poor and vulnerable.

At the end of this course, you should be able to

1. Demonstrate competence in the critical reading of complex literary texts
2. Engage intellectually with your peers (in person and online)
3. Identify social justice issues and engage intellectually with the moral and ethical principles related through Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
4. Write a college-level paper that appropriately uses primary and secondary sources to defend a non-obvious claim (without minimizing or neglecting opposing or alternative views)