TH-113: Theatre and Social Change

Course, prefix, number, & title: TH-113 Theatre and Social Change

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 3 Class Hours

Credits: 3

Pre-requisites (if any): Students must complete any developmental requirements in English (see Proficiency in Math and English) prior to taking this course.

Co-requisites (if any): None

Course Description in college catalog:

This course introduces students to the applied and interdisciplinary practice of theatre and social change. Students will learn how practitioners engage practice and theory locally and globally to support change in individuals, communities, and systems. Students will explore theatre and social change projects which aspire to illuminate patterns of oppression and resistance while gathering communities to bear witness and reflect. Students will analyze the impact of these artists and their actions in supporting transformation that is reflexive and sustainable. 

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

A.S. Theatre, (Concentration: Acting) Elective

A.S. Theatre, (Concentration: Technical Theatre) Elective

General Education Outcomes: Below is a listing of General Education Outcome(s) that this course supports.

1. Communicate effectively in various forms

2. Use analytical reasoning to identify issues or problems and evaluate evidence in order to make informed decisions

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

a. Students will learn about projects at the intersection of theatre and social change through case studies.

b. Students will reflect on their positionality in society, considering how identities inform experiences, values, and choices.

c. Students will analyze projects at the intersection of theatre and social change.

d. Students will evaluate the impact of the artists and their projects in generating individual, social, and structural change.

e. Students will create and defend a project at the intersection of theatre and social change. This new work may take many forms including original scripts, verbatim / interview projects, ritual storytelling, memory installations, and so on.

Program-specific outcomes

II. Analyze plays perceptively.

III. Identify a broad selection of theatre repertory.

IV. Develop and defend informed responses to theatre.

Other program outcomes (if applicable).

1. Integrate knowledge and skills in the program of study

2. Make ethical judgments while recognizing multiple perspectives, as appropriate in the program of study

Supplemental Information

QCC Theatre continues an initiative to develop new courses which foster cultural empathy and expand visibility of the nuances of the discipline, responding to an ever-changing landscape of American and global theatre.

Theatre and Social Change projects are engaged across disciplines and around the globe. Some are grassroots projects hosted in local community centers which lead to large scale initiatives that are facilitated by NGOs, companies, and governments. Queensborough students, regardless of their major, deserve access to these contributions. The course is also important for transfer and career-readiness. Within CUNY, students can engage with initiatives like CUNY Social Practice at the Graduate Center (a network of students and faculty across the system who are practitioners and educators of Social Practice) or by pursuing an MA in Applied Theatre at the School of Professional Studies. Beyond CUNY, theatre and social change courses and degrees are offered at numerous public and private local and international institutions.

All students are welcome. May be of interest to students preparing for careers in education, facilitation, management, public policy, social science, and arts.

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

Low stakes assessment of writing and speaking

High stakes assessment of writing and speaking

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window(PDF).

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.