cold case: mystery & History
Instructor: Helen Housley
Department: Sociology and Anthropology
Course Number: FSEM 100L
CRN: 12739
Course Overview: This course is designed to examine mysteries in Theatre History as they are dealt with in scholarship and popular culture. Prior to the 1700s, vague and incomplete historical records have left modern scholars with significant questions regarding theatrical origins, key players, and methods of performance. As a result, black holes exist in our knowledge of major theatrical events. Over the last 50 years, as scholars have attempted to fill these holes, popular culture has adopted many of them as subjects to be explored in fiction, drama, and film.
Some of the key questions that arise in a study of Theatre History include such mysteries as:
- Who was Thespis and was he really the first actor?
- Did Aristotle write a treatise on comedy?
- Who killed Christopher Marlowe and why?
- Did William Shakespeare of Stratford really write Shakespeare’s plays and, if he didn’t, who did?
- Did Moliere marry his own daughter?
- Who was the first English actress?
Our seminar will address these questions, examining what hard evidence exists on these points as well as looking at how popular culture has attempted to answer them. Our method is to combine scholarship—the works of experts in the field—with novels, movies, and plays that purport to provide plausible explanations to solve these mysteries. This course assumes that students have an interest in theatre and dramatic literature. Prior classroom knowledge of Theatre History is not expected.
After completing the course, a student should
- Be able to participate in active, discussion-based, participatory learning
- Be able to develop the skills for analysis and argumentation
- Be able to read, think, speak, and write logical arguments using a variety of media
- Be able to use writing as a tool for exploration and expression of ideas and arguments
- Be able to perceive, analyze, and value the perspectives of other thinkers, while recognizing and critiquing one’s own
- Formulate meaningful questions and find legitimate methods of positing answers through scholarly research
- Be able to locate, evaluate, and assess primary and secondary sources as valid tools of research
- Be able to evaluate the legitimacy of popular solutions to historical problems
- Learn to synthesize materials from several sources in order to construct and defend an argument
- Be able to assess dramatic literature and performance critically and aesthetically
Assignments:
Research Paper - You will write a 7-10 page research paper related to one of the topics in this class. Because this is a Writing Intensive course, components for this paper will be due throughout the entire semester.
Writing Assignments - Since we are examining both scholarly and popular solutions to mysteries, students will submit written assessments of each of these solutions, positing in written format what solution they most favor and why for each of the mysteries examined. We will also examine the qualities of good writing such as organization, research, analysis, evaluation, and mechanics.
Speaking Assignments - Each student will orally present his/her research on ONE of the mysteries examined in this course. In addition, contributions to classroom discussions will be a factor in the final Participation grade.
Field Trip - A class trip to the Folger Shakespeare Library will acquaint students with primary source materials that aid in determining the legitimacy of William Shakespeare’s authorship of the plays. The date will be announced.
Films - We will see three films in this class, but will find mutually agreeable days and times to view these films outside of class.
Theatre Attendance - You will attend three (3) live theatre performances during the semester, one in Washington, DC, and two here at UMW.
Attendance/Class Participation - Class attendance is required since this course is discussion based. During class time, students will discuss the readings and films, present their solutions to the theatrical mysteries being examined based on their own research, and work on in-class writing assignments. Absences will detract from your ability to participate meaningfully in the seminar as well as to develop skills that will be useful in additional coursework and life.
Grading - Assessment for this course will be based on class participation, written assignments, and speaking assignments. On a rotating basis, students will be required to submit either a written solution to the mystery under consideration or present their solution to the class orally.
- Class Participation: 25%
- Ticket Payment: 5%
- Written Assignments (5): 25%
- Oral Presentation: 15%
- Individual Research Paper: 30%
Class Units and Assignments:
This schedule is fluid and subject to change. We may find ourselves engrossed in a particular mystery and may wish to spend more time on it. Additionally, there are several out-of-class activities that may impact the course schedule.
August 28 - Introduction to the Course
August 30 - Writing and Research
- Read Thespis materials from course packet (due 9/4)
- Begin reading The Name of the Rose (due 9/13)
Thespis
September 4 - Who was Thespis and was he really the first actor?
September 6 - Class Debate – Did Thespis really exist?
- Read Aristotle materials from course packet (due 9/11)
Aristotle
September 11 - Why didn’t Aristotle write a treatise on comedy—or did he?
September 13 - Discuss book: The Name of the Rose
TBA - View film: The Name of the Rose
September 18 - Discuss film: The Name of the Rose
September 20 - Student Presentation and Written Report
- Read Marlowe materials from course packet (due 9/25)
Christopher Marlowe
September 25 - Who killed Christopher Marlowe and why?
TBA - View film: Shakespeare in Love
September 27 - Theories and facts about Christopher Marlowe
- Attend Proof
- Thesis Statement due
October 2 - More on Marlowe
October 3 - Attend The Taming of the Shrew
October 4 - Discuss The Taming of the Shrew
October 9 - Student Presentation and Written Report
- Read Shakespeare materials from course packet (due 10/11)
- Discuss Proof
October 11 - Comp Day – NO CLASS
FALL BREAK
William Shakespeare
October 18 - Did William Shakespeare of Stratford really write Shakespeare’s plays and, if he didn’t, who did?
- Read The Beard of Avon
October 23 - Discuss The Beard of Avon
October 25 - Student research discussion
October 30 - Edward de Vere – Could he be Shakespeare?
- Bibliography Due
November 1 - Student Presentation and Written Report
- Read Moliere materials from course packet (due 11/6)
Moliere
November 6 - Did Moliere really marry his daughter?
- Read Sad Laughter (due 11/8)
November 8 - Discuss Sad Laughter
- Attend A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
November 13 - Theories and facts about Moliere
- Abstract and Outline due
November 15 - Student Presentation and Written Report
The First English Actress
November 20 - Comp Day – No Class
November 27 - Discuss A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
November 29 - Who was the first English actress?
TBA - View Stage Beauty
December 4 - Discuss Stage Beauty
December 6 - Student Presentation and Written Report
- Research Paper due
Final Exam Period – Tuesday, December 11, 8:30am