This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
This survey course will examine some of the great works of drama and comedy, focusing on how dramatic art grapples with the question of the meaning of life and the revelation of God in the human heart.
Total classes: 12
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 7th to 8th
Suggested credit: One full semester of English or Drama
Description
From its beginning in ancient Greece and from its inception in England in the context of the liturgy, drama has always been about man’s relation to God (or “the gods”). This survey course will examine some of the great works of drama and comedy, focusing on how dramatic art grapples with the question of the meaning of life and the revelation of God in the human heart.
Outline
Introduction and Overview
Ancient Greece I – selections from Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus
Ancient Rome – selections from Plautus & Terence and the Story of St. Genesius, Patron of Actors
Medieval Drama – Mystery and Miracle Plays (various short examples will be read and discussed)
Medieval Drama II – Pageant Plays and selections from Everyman
Renaissance Drama – selections from Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
Renaissance Drama – Macbeth by William Shakespeare – I
Renaissance Drama – Macbeth by William Shakespeare – II
Renaissance Drama – selections from Much Ado about Nothing by William Shakespeare
Restoration and Continental Theater – The Forced Marriage by Moliere
Restoration and Continental Theater – Commedia del Arte and other forms
Conclusion and Review
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: Will be provided free by the instructor in the form of PDF’s and eBooks; scenes from filmed versions of the plays will be shown during class time.
Homework: Each play should be read before that week’s discussion of it. Frequent short quizzes, consisting of multiple-choice and essay questions. This should take no more than 3 to 4 hours per week.
