21L.703 | Spring 2014 | Undergraduate

Studies in Drama: Stoppard and Company

Instructor Insights

Course Overview

This page focuses on the course 21L.703 Studies in Drama: Stoppard and Company as it was taught by professor Diana Henderson in Spring 2014.

This course is an intensive study of the works of one of Britain’s most respected, prolific and funny dramatists, Sir Tom Stoppard, and some of his contemporaries. It explores a wide range of knowledge in fields of math, philosophy, politics, history and art in order to think about the medium of drama as well as one writer’s work in depth. We analyze how drama connects with both the culture it represents and that which it addresses in performance.

Course Outcomes

Course Goals for Students

In addition to participating in the fun of reading Tom Stoppard & Co., there are seven course objectives outlined on the syllabus page.

Curriculum Information

Prerequisites

Two previous literature courses.

Requirements Satisfied

CI-M

Offered

Every other spring semester

Assessment

The students’ grades were based on the following activities:

  • 30% Reading, class participation and contribution, including watching films, providing feedback, and other events
  • 20% Reports and class leadership
  • 10% Focused single-play analysis
  • 15% Self-assessments, scene and other writing
  • 25% Major analytical essay/project

Student Information

Enrollment

10 students

Enrollment Cap

12 students

Breakdown by Year

Mostly junior and senior undergraduate students and occasionally grad students.

How Student Time Was Spent

During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:

In Class/Seminar

  • Met 2 times per week for 1.5 hours per session; 26 sessions total; mandatory attendance.
  • Student-led discussion of readings and films.
  • Three sessions included exchange and discussion of an essay with a partner.
  • Three subsequent sessions involved class discussion of partner essay ideas.
  • The last two sessions were student presentations on the major project.

Out of Class

  • Completed readings, watched films.
  • Prepared seminar questions and discussions based on the readings and films.
  • Completed self-assessments, essays, Stoppardian scenes, and reports.
  • Attended MIT DramaShop’s production of Arcadia.

Course Info

Departments
As Taught In
Spring 2014
Learning Resource Types
Written Assignments
Instructor Insights