Studies in drama: stoppard and company

Sessions: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Taking as its starting point the works of one of Britain's most respected, prolific—and funny—living dramatists, this seminar will explore a wide range of knowledge in fields such as math, philosophy, politics, history and art. The careful reading and discussion of plays by (Sir) Tom Stoppard and some of his most compelling contemporaries (including Caryl Churchill, Anna Deveare Smith and Howard Barker) will allow us to time-travel and explore other cultures, and to think about the medium of drama as well as one writer's work in depth. Some seminar participants will report on earlier plays that influenced these writers, others will research everything from Lord Byron's poetry to the bridges of Konigsberg, from Dadaism to Charter 77. Employing a variety of critical approaches (both theoretical and theatrical), we will consider what postmodernity means, as applied to these plays. In the process, we will analyze how drama connects with both the culture it represents and that which it addresses in performance. We will also explore the wit and verbal energy of these contemporary dramatists…not to mention, how Fermat's theorem, classical translation, and chaos theory become the stuff of stage comedy.

I reserve the right to alter the weighting somewhat in exceptional circumstances; usually this works to your advantage. If written work is incomplete or attendance is infrequent, you will not pass the course. I will consider each of the requirements in determining your grade. If you cannot be in class or meet a deadline because of an emergency, please speak with me (in advance, if possible); otherwise, absences and late papers will adversely affect your grade. I will expect you to write a one-page response essay on the assigned material on any day you miss class, after week one.

In addition to participating in the fun of reading Tom Stoppard & Co.—and the adventures that any semester brings—I ask you to keep in mind these seven objectives, which connect our specific studies with larger learning goals that can extend into your future lives:

Not all of these goals will be fully realized by all participants, but among them, I hope you recognize at least some of your own personal priorities in taking this seminar. For your initial self-assessment essay, I ask that you consider your own background and learning objectives this semester, and how they mesh (or not) with those stated above.

I use the word "read" in a variety of ways; we will be practicing a variety of reading methods in this subject. You will be skimming, dipping into, appreciating and thoroughly dissecting written texts. But unless instructed otherwise, I expect you to have read the assigned plays carefully.

If you find it challenging to read a play carefully, I suggest that you:

Read through the entire play quickly, as if you were an audience member watching it take place before you (i.e., read sequentially and don't worry about every detail or go back over a scene studiously—though try to attend to as many clues and dimensions of the script as you can). Consider the play's sequence and impact.

Re-read slowly and analytically, looking for meanings, patterns, poetry, characterization and themes, and studying the sections that confused you. Consider the play's artistry and ideas, and the moment-by-moment unfolding of the action.

Plagiarism—the use of another's intellectual work without acknowledgement—is a serious offense. It is the policy of the Literature Faculty that students who plagiarize will receive an F in the subject, and that the instructor will forward the case to the Committee on Discipline. Full acknowledgement for all information obtained from sources outside the classroom must be clearly stated in all written work submitted and in all oral presentations, including images or texts in other media and for materials collected online. All ideas, arguments, and direct phrasings taken from someone else's work must be identified and properly footnoted. Quotations from other sources must be clearly marked as distinct from the student's own work. For further guidance on the proper forms of attribution, consult the style guides available in the Writing and Communication Center, review the article on avoiding plagiarism, and review MIT's online Academic Integrity Handbook.

I will also provide my own stylesheet. In addition, you might find helpful:

Another important point: You cannot participate well if you are asleep, nearly asleep, or woozy with illness or exhaustion. Please take care of yourself—which obviously includes your body as well as your mind.

In addition to welcoming your participation in class, I encourage you to discuss your ideas and your writing with me during office hours, or at other times convenient for us both.

And off we go!

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