Syllabus


 * DRAM 4800/6800 Asian Theatre and Drama (the middle period)**


 * Fall 2009**


 * MWF 1:25-2:15**

Rm. 350 Fine Arts Building

Instructor: Dr. Farley Richmond Office: Rm. 367 Fine Arts Office Phone: 706-542-2089 Office Hours: To be announced E-mail address: richmond@uga.edu [|Dr. Richmond's Website]


 * Course Description**:

After the advent and development of the classical periods of development in India, China, and Japan, very dynamic and interesting genres of performance came into being, all of which still survive today. In India, kathakali grew out of kutiyattam (the classical genre of theatre in which I specialize), as well as Ramanattam, and other regional genres, becoming a wildly popular art form with the people of Kerala state, south India. In China, after years of multiple developments throughout the country Beijing Opera was born from a confluence of forces brought together and supported by royal patronage in the capital city of Beijing. Notable to foreigners for its elaborate face painting, acrobatics, and intriguing plots, Beijing Opera still holds considerable appeal in China and the west today. No less popular with its people and on the international stage, kabuki was formed from elements of the classical Noh, Bunraku puppetry, and a growing taste among middle class patrons for spectacular scenery, costumes, and makeup. Kabuki may be considered the best known and most popular genres of performance among western spectators.

Our task will be to document and shape what we know and learn about these genres into a basic text.


 * Attendance Policy**:

No professor I know wants students to stay away from class. I'm no exception. Particularly with genres of performance such as these, every moment digesting the material both inside and outside class is a moment well spent. So, a good part of your grade (10%) depends on class attendance and participation.


 * Evaluation**:

10% Participation and Attendance 15% Written critical evaluation of assigned material. 30% 2 Exams (a midterm and a final) over materials assigned and developed by you for your final project 45% Final Project


 * Tentative Schedule of Events**:

Fall 2009

August 17 M Introductions, Assignments, and Collaboration 19 W General Characteristics 21 F " 24 M Kathakali 26 W " 28 F " 31 M " September 2 W " 4 F " 7 M Labor Day Holiday 9 W " 11 F " 14 M" 16 W " 18 F " 21 M " 23 W " 25 F " 28 M Kabuki 30 W " October 2 F " 5 M " 7 W Kalarippayattu workshop with guest artists from India 9 F **Midterm Exam** 12 M Dr. David Mason, Rhodes College, discusses Raslila 14 W " 16 F " 19 M " 21 W " 23 F Kathakali artists from the Kerala Kalamandalam 26 M Kabuki Dance play Musume Dojoji performed by Bando Tamasaburo 28 W " 30 F Fall Break Holiday begins November 2 M Deadline for 1st draft of kabuki writing assignment Beijing Opera 4 W Beijing Opera 6 F " 9 M " 11 W " 13 F " 16 M " 18 W " 20 F " 23 M Thanksgiving Holiday begins 25 W " 27 F " 30 M continue Beijing Opera December 2 W " 4 F " 7 M " 8 Tu Follows Friday schedule **SECOND EXAM** 9 W Reading day 10 Th Beginning of Finals 16 W 3pm Due Date and Time for Beijing Opera Assignment and all corrections and changes for all your writing assignments.