Instructor:John ColeTel:245-7585;Office:RVCE;email:-jcole@roguecc.edu
OfficeHours:T, Th, 12:30-2:00; M, W, 12:30-1:30; or by appt.
class chat:www.eboard.com
enter: ‘playwrightingsandbox’

Course Description:Introduces a series of “workshop-styled” or “writing lab” exercises designed to liberate the creative voice. Explores action, character, space, place, and form, through the development of scenes, one-acts, or a full-length play. Includes analysis and discussion of student’s work.

Why study Playwriting? (relationship to Dept. mission):The purpose of this course is to study the Playwright’s craft. By studying this art, we think critically, we problem solve, we define ourselves, we experience the creative process and we express ourselves creatively. By writing plays and engaging in discussions about our work, we will come to feel more comfortable in a world made larger through our art.

Objectives:
To successfully complete this course, students will:

Course requirements:(to achieve a passing grade)

• Attendance:

This class only meets once per week for eleven weeks. Because we make use of each other in this class; as audience, as readers, as generators of ideas, I consider attendance to be MANDATORY. After one missed class, for example, your grade will begin to drop. If you would like an absence to be excused, you must call my office and leave a message on or before the day of the class you will miss – and I will decide if the excuse is warranted. There is no make-up for an unexcused absence. Students who miss class are solely responsible for finding out what they missed from two or more fellow students who attended. Late work will drop one full letter grade.Instructions for course assignments will be discussed in class; therefore attendance is of the utmost importance.No matter how brilliantly you write, I am grading on participation and effort. Therefore, be here on time.

We will begin every class with a series of very easy physical warm-ups, similar to what actors perform before they begin their work. These exercises are not meant to torture, improve, or otherwise alter you. Do them to the best of your ability. Use them to focus you. You may be asked to read your writing. Participation in reading your writing is essential because that is the only way we can learn from our work.

You are required to keep a Jungian style journal. Bring a six subject loose leaf binder to the second class (October 3rd). Label each section as follows:

Section I. Life Segment/ Stepping Stones *complete set
Section II.Daily Journal *2 entries/ wk.
Section III.Dreams (sleeping or waking) * 1 entry/ wk.
Section IV.Free writing /Dialogues
(*minimum journal work required for passing grade)
Section V.Readings / Plays/ Movies - Impressions
You are required to log a minimum of one entry for each of the following one- act plays (and film script):test/discussion day:

(Readings, Schedule, and Due-dates, are subject to change.)
Section VI.Class Notes & Assignments

There will be a test on each one act play (above) on the discussion day for that reading.

GRADES:
Grades are evaluated based on Attendance, Participation, Amount of work in your journal, Essay tests, and your completed Scenes or Play. I look for the amount of effort you put forward in- and out of class, and the quality of your attitude towards your fellow artists.

All students are responsible for adhering to the “Student Code of Responsible Behavior” in the Student Handbook.There is a Student “right to know” link on the RCC homepage that lists known sex offenders in Jackson County.If, for any reason, you would prefer I do not contact you via e-mail or telephone, please let me know.