Acting Studio Syllabus

Acting Studio Syllabus

Ringling College of Art and Design Course Syllabus

Mission of the College:
Ringling College of Art and Design recognizes that artists and designers play a significant role in society.  The College’s primary mission is to provide programs leading to degrees that prepare students to be discerning visual thinkers and ethical practitioners in their chosen area of art and design.      Visual arts professionals must understand diverse aspects of past and present cultures, and develop their capacity for creative expression and effective communication.  Ringling’s curriculum, therefore, balances the teaching of technical knowledge and skills with the development of critical, conceptual and creative abilities and supports courses that provide historical, multicultural, global and future perspectives.  Ringling faculty consists of professionally active and teaching-oriented artists, designers and scholars.      Ringling College of Art and Design strives to enroll both full and part-time students from diverse backgrounds who intend to become professionals in the visual arts.  Through its policies and practices, the College supports excellence in teaching and fosters the aesthetic, intellectual, professional, personal, and social development of its students. Academic programs and advising, career services, and an extensive co-curricular student life program prepare students for an art or design profession, or when appropriate, for continued studies on the graduate level.      In addition to its degree program, Ringling College offers courses, lectures, exhibitions and other art-related services to the local and regional community through its gallery, library, continuing education and community service programs.      Through the efforts of its Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, support staff, alumni, and friends, Ringling endeavors to provide the necessary resources, services and environment to fulfill its institutional mission.      Founded in 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, independent nonprofit, four-year college.           Adopted by the Board of Trustees, April 11, 1991        Revision adopted by the Board of Trustees, October 24, 2002        Revision adopted by the Board of Trustees, April 12, 2007
Instructor:		Office phone:		Email:
Dan Bright				dbright@c.ringling.edu
Course Prefix:		Course number:	Section:	Course Title:		Credit Hours:
EL		304/OPEN ELEC	01 & 02	ACTING STUDIO		3
Building:		Room:		Meeting days and times:
ACACTR		214		MONDAY and THURSDAY 3:30-6:15 MONDAY and THURSDAY 7:00-9:45
Course Description:
This course gives the student a hands-on experience with the craft of acting.
Course Objectives:
·                     To have fun.  ·                     To experience authentic aspects of yourself. ·                     To develop tools for identifying key aspects of human behavior. ·                     To engage in relationships fully and truthfully under imaginary circumstances.                     After successfully completing Acting Studio students will be able to: ·                     Articulate from their own experience the goals and responsibilities of the actor ·                     Have a deeper appreciation for the acting process. ·                     Translate the aspects of performing into their own form of expression ·                     Apply fundamental skills to scene work in order to create full and truth-filled performances
Student Learning Outcomes:
Communication Skills, Artistic Discernment and Collaboration
Course Outline:
Active, assertive participation is absolutely vital to the success of the class for both you and for the group. Enthusiastic involvement in a variety of class exercises including improvisation and scene study will establish the basic building blocks for performance.  Another aspect of the class will be the development of a way of working and establishing a creative process for the actor. This will aid you in clearly understanding and articulating what you observe in performance and give you a way of effectively communicating desired performance outcomes.
Grading Policies:
Attendance policy: The participatory nature of this class makes it imperative that you be present in class.  You will be allowed two (2) absences without affecting your grade.  Subsequent absences will affect your final grade in increments of ½ grade per absence.    Adherence to deadlines: Scene Study is a key aspect of this class and will require you to spend time out of class to prepare for in-class presentations. In most instances you will be partnered with another person and therefore time management and commitment is essential. You and your partner will be responsible for making sure you are prepared to present scenes when they are due. Assignment completion: Scene Study work will be developed in stages and your work will be checked along the way. Process and effort is as important and product.   Assignment criteria: Scene work will be assessed on preparation and execution at each stage. Attitude and effort: Be bold, take risks, engage your classmates. Classroom demeanor: Be positive, supportive and open. Classroom participation: Active, assertive participation is absolutely vital to the success of the class for both you and for the group.  Creativity/originality: Tell the truth and do it as fully as possible under the imaginary circumstances.  Critiques and discussions: Refer to “Studio Rules” Examination grades: There are no exams in this course. Homework assignments: Students may be given a brief written assignment at the end of the year. Failing to complete and submit a writing project will count as a 1/2 absence in their final grade. Homework will be in the form of scene study assignments. Improvement over term: Acting Studio is both a highly personal and highly social journey. Students will more often than not have a tendency to grow in their confidence and outgoing-ness over the term and this is an expected and encouraged outcome. Portfolio reviews: N/A Project grades: Scene Study grades and assessment will reflect a melding of the student’s personal evaluation of their own work and effort as well as observations made by the instructor. Other: Other: Other: Other: Other:
Grading Opportunities:
Grading System:
Grade					Numerical Equivalent
A	Superior Performance				4.00
A-					3.67
B+					3.33
B	Above Average				3.00
B-					2.67
C+					2.33
C	Average Performance				2.00
C-					1.67
D+					1.33
D	Below Average				1.00
D-	Lowest Passing Grade				0.67
F	Failing				0.00
WF	Withdrew Failing				0.00
Grading System:
These grades are not computed in the GPA
P	Credit But No Grade
N	No Credit
W	Withdrew Passing
I	Incomplete (see policy below)
Required/Recommended Materials:
Study materials will be provided by the instructor
Required/Recommended Text:
Handouts will be supplied by the instructor
Library and Learning Resources:
Disabilities Accommodations:
The Ringling College of Art and Design makes reasonable accommodations for qualified people with documented disabilities. If you have a learning disability, a chronic illness, or a physical or psychiatric disability that may have some impact on your work for this class and for which you may need accommodations, please notify the Director of the Academic Resource Center (Room 227 Ulla Searing Student Center; 359-7627) preferably before the end of the drop/add period so that appropriate adjustments can be made.
Health and Safety:
Ringling College of Art and Design is committed to providing students, faculty, and staff with a safe and healthful learning and work environment and to comply with all applicable safety laws and regulations and safe work practices.  Rules and safety guidelines for maintaining a safe working environment in this shop/studio/class will be provided to you at the beginning of the course (i.e. students must wear close-toed shoes, students must wear protective eyewear, students may not eat or drink in the studio, etc.).
Academic Integrity Policy:
Professional Behavior in the Classroom:
Refer to "Studio Rules"
Incomplete Policy:
Incompletes are granted only at the direction of the instructor.