In this course, you will learn about theatre's place as a reflection of and influence on the history of human cultures and its relationship to other fine arts and humanistic studies; you will examine theatre as an art, its practitioners, its physical and cultural environments.

What you learn in this course will benefit you by giving you the perspective to examine the value of art in society, appreciation of the particular value of theatre as both influence and reflection of society, and developing the desire and ability to continue your learning throughout your life.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Identify significant names, dates, terms, and events.
• Discuss production techniques, plays, playwrights, theatre structures (buildings), acting styles, and audiences.
• Identify and discuss themes as well as the dramatic structural elements of the plays examined.
• Discuss theatre practices, conventions, developments, movements, practitioners, plays, and dramatic criticism from a variety of theatrical periods in history.

The required textbook for this course is:

• Phyllis Hartnoll, The Theatre: A Concise History, 3rd edition (Thames & Hudson, 1998; reprinted 2003; updated by Enoch Brater).

Required Plays:

• Plautus -- The Menaechmi or here or go here for a synopsis

• Anonymous -- Second Shepherds' Play or here or here with brief introductory summary/discussion

• Henrik Ibsen -- A Doll House

• Arthur Miller -- Death of a Salesman

• Lorraine Hansberry -- A Raisin in the Sun

• Jonathan Larson -- Rent. Click here to read the libretto (the book of the musical, including the lyrics without the music to the songs. The show is essentially an opera, however, so the "book" consists almost entirely of the lyrics).

• Mark Hollman & Greg Kotis -- Urinetown (use Internet Explorer with Flash enabled to view this site).

For information on how to order your textbook, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Call before going to a campus bookstore to make sure the materials are in stock. If you don't see what you need, ask for assistance. Each bookstore has a separate section for ELI courses. Print this page and take it with you to avoid confusion.

Your course grade will be determined by the exercises, critiques, web pages, participation, and exams, according to the following points:

There are 2 proctored exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers (Note: ELI exams are not given at the Medical Education Campus.) Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : etrumbull@nvcc.edu
Telephone: (703)878-5750

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard and email at http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.