Survey of musical theatre history and musical theatre music and dramatic literature from its earliest documented beginnings up to the present day. As the course is designed primarily for musical theatre majors, primary emphasis will be given to musical theatre history in the United States. Students will consider examples of classical, medieval and early modern musical entertainment, followed by units covering continental operetta of the 18th C, early 19th C, late 19th C (including Gilbert & Sullivan), each decade in the 20th C, as well as contemporary developments. Students will also critically analyze the specific elements of musical theatre: integration of song and book, character and voice, ensemble, orchestra, narration and technology. Designed to familiarize students with the tenets and challenges of historical inquiry as they can be applied to the study of musical theatre. The course also seeks to build appreciation for a broad range of musical theatre styles.
Prerequisite(s): THTRE 3800 World Theatre History I or permission of instructor.
THTRE 3800 World Theatre History I (3 hours)
An integral factor in the study of the history of theatre is the impact that governments, democratic or otherwise, have on the development and sustenance of the arts. World Theatre History I is a Writing-Instructive course that covers early theatre through the Renaissance, so will investigate principles and ideals of Athenian democracy associated with Classical Greece, republican Rome, and the Italian republics of the early Renaissance, as well as more authoritarian forms of rule in early civilizations in India, China, Japan, and Meso-America. Key questions will include: In what ways are artistic freedoms and practices linked to structures of governance? How has theatre over time been a force for political change? Why does theatre flourish in some democracies (and in some authoritarian governments) and not in others?
Prerequisite(s): POLSC 1010 Intro to U.S. Govt/Politics: Civic Engagement/POLSC 1010FYW Introduction to U.S. Govt/Politics or HIST 1020 United States Society and Culture Since 1877 or PHIL 2400 Social-Political Philosophy or THTRE 1010 Theatre Appreciation or THTRE 1020FYW Script Analysis or THTRE 1030 Script Analysis.
(Normally offered on even fall semesters.)
Archway Curriculum: Essential Connections: Writing Instructive
Archway Curriculum: Integrative Core: Democracy Thread
