The Paper (225 points): Everyone will research and write a research paper of 1800-2100 words on a person, play, genre, theatre company, event, or other important development/topic from this semester of theatre history (the topic MUST be from the period 1700-present). The idea here is to dig deeply into why your topic is important and relevant to the study of theatre history, and your paper must address that question directly and insightfully.
This paper should be an in-depth exploration of an important topic in theatre history from the periods we cover in this class. All topics must be approved first: you must propose your topic in writing (email is fineit doesnt have to be elaborate) and must receive written approval from me. Your paper must have a clear thesis supported by legitimate academic sources.
You need to have a take on your topic, a strong thesis that focuses on the significance of the person, etc. in the history of theatre. What was different before? How were things changed afterwards? You will need to do research, but even more importantly, you will need to examine your research, choose the most important elements/ideas, and weave them into your overall argument.
Rules and Guidelines for All Projects:
I have high standards for these papers, and I expect them to be polished and professional, the culmination of the semesters work. While the focus should be on content, interpretation, and analysis, form (including style, spelling, grammar, layout, and formatting) also counts greatly towards your final grade. Papers cobbled together at the last minute rarely succeed because they lack the necessary polish. Yes, spelling and grammar count, and it will be next to impossible to get an A if your paper is not correct in form.
You may not use a play for a final project that has been produced at Missouri State or in the community in the past four years.
You may not use work you did on an outside production, either here or elsewhere, as the basis for your creative research or dramaturgical project. To do so will result in a grade of ZERO on the project. That is, if you designed costumes for The Importance of Being Earnest somewhere else, you may not do a creative research project on costume design for The Importance of Being Earnest.
Turning in the same paper/work for two classes (such as a character analysis, design, directing promptbook or unit plan) is counted as academic dishonesty and will result in a ZERO grade for the assignment and possibly an XF grade for the course. Know, too, that we professors talk to each other about what students are doing in other classes.
Reminder you MUST use a sufficient number legitimate academic sources for your research (a minimal rule of thumb is at least 1 source/page). Papers with fewer than 6-8 legitimate sources will have points deducted for insufficient research. You must include all publication information in a properly formatted works cited page. Any project without a works cited page in proper format will be docked at least one full letter grade.
FORMATTING MATTERS: Make sure your paper is in proper format and follows quotation and citation conventions. Note: your margins should all be 1, the papers double-spaced and the font no bigger than 12 point Times New Roman. Failure to follow formatting guidelines may result in a lower grade.
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