THE 4954 - THEATRE EXIT CRITIQUE

Syllabus Spring 2015

Instructor Contact

Instructor:

Joseph Rusnock

Office:

T 237

Office Hours:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:30 1:30PM

& 3:00 4:00PM

Phone:

(407) 823-2862 (Front Desk)

E-mail:

joseph.rusnock@ucf.edu

Course Information

Course Name:

Theatre Exit Critique

Course ID & Section:

THE 4954, Section 1

Credit Hours:

Semester/Year:

Spring - 2015

Location:

Online Only (E-mail Communications)

Course Description

Theatre Major, Senior Standing. Completion of departmental exit critique. Graded

S/U. Only offered Fall and Spring.
Course Objectives
In this course, students will:

Strengthen writing skills

Strengthen analytical assessment skills of theatre production
Integrate techniques of script analysis into clear, mature written expression
Reinforce the use of discipline-specific vocabulary
Develop a full understanding of MLA formatting

Methodology/Assessment
Student learning outcomes will be assessed with:

Students are required to see a theatrical production during the semester at

UCF, The Orlando Repertory Theatre, or the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre
and submit a final exit critique.

Students must receive a passing or outstanding rating in all of the following

areas:
Evidence of Research
Analysis of Aesthetics
Clarity/Maturity of Expression
Use of discipline-specific vocabulary
Mechanics
Use of MLA formatting
Required Text
Script from the play for which your Exit Critique has been submitted.
Supplemental Texts/Web Links
Cite Right: A Quick Guide to Citation Styles--MLA, APA, Chicago, the
Sciences, Professions, and More (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and
Publishing) by Charles Lipson

Schaum's Quick Guide to Writing Great Research Papers (Schaums Quick

Guide) by Laurie Rozakis

Cite It Right: The SourceAid Guide to Citation, Research, and Avoiding

Plagiarism by Julia Johns and Sarah Keller

http://www.mla.org/style

http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/mla/index.shtml

Written Assignments
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Your final Exit Critique paper can be written on any mainstage season production at
UCF, Orlando Repertory Theatre, or Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. The show must
be produced in the semester in which you are registered for this course. You
cannot write about any show in which you are involved as an actor, crew
member, designer, or stage manager. No student-produced projects or pieces in
the UCF One-Act Festival qualify for the Exit Critique paper.
Your final Exit Critique paper is due by the deadline date/time listed at the end
of this syllabus.

NO EXIT CRITIQUE PAPERS WILL BE

ACCEPTED PAST THE DUE DATE!!
NO EXCUSES!!
If you do not have your paper to the instructor and submitted to Turnitin.com by the
deadline date/time, you will not pass the class.
You may, however, turn in your paper to the instructor AT ANY TIME DURING THE
SEMESTER BEFORE THE DEADLINE DATE.
You do not have to wait until the deadline date to submit your final paper.
The Exit Critique written assignment is a formal essay!! Written assignments are
expected to be presented in the following fashion:

TYPED ONLY!! No handwritten papers will be accepted!!

Follow appropriate MLA formatting to include your information on every page.

Double-spaced with all margins set at 1

Use 12 point type

You will be required to submit your paper to Turnitin.com for plagiarism evaluation.
[SEE THE END OF THIS SYLLABUS FOR SUBMISSION INFORMATION.]
In this class our official mode of communication will be through email. All
communication between students and the Professor (and between student and
student) should be respectful and professional. All e-mail sent to the Professor via

his campus e-mail address also is public record. Make sure you communicate with
all your Professors in a professional manner.

The UCF roster reports your email address as the "campus mail" (Knights Email)
address, unless you have no Knights Email address, in which case your "personal
email" registered at the myUCF Portal will be listed. UCF requires that you sign up
for Knight's Email at www.knightsemail.ucf.edu, since emails are certain to be
delivered to this account (a guarantee that often cannot be made for other email
accounts). Then, be sure to check this email address often for official communication
from the university and our class.

If you change your e-mail address after the beginning of the semester, it is YOUR
responsibility to notify your Professor and your major department.

Missed Assignments/Extra Credit

No late assignments will be accepted.

No extra credit work will be accepted for this course.

Evaluation and Grading

Students will be evaluated on a written Exit Critique using a rubric you will find
on the last page of this syllabus. Students must receive a passing or
outstanding rating in all of the following areas:

Evidence of Research
Analysis of Aesthetics
Clarity/Maturity of Expression
Use of discipline-specific vocabulary
Mechanics
Use of MLA formatting

Your final Exit Critique paper will be reviewed by three faculty readers. In order to
pass the Exit Critique requirement for graduation, you must receive a Passing or
higher grade in ALL of the areas listed on the grading rubric provided to you. You
will be notified before the end of the semester as to whether or not you passed.
If you fail the Exit Critique, you will be given your paper back with recommendations
about what needs to be fixed. You will have to re-register for the course the
following semester, but you may re-submit your edited paper from the current

semester for which you are registered, and it will be reviewed by the instructor of this
course.
You do not have to use Grade Forgiveness to re-register for this course. And, you
can repeat this course as many times as it takes you to pass the requirement. You
will not be certified to graduate until you have completed this department
requirement.
If you fail this course, it will not be counted toward department probation the
following semester.
Attendance Policy
It is imperative you attend an entire performance of a UCF Theatre Department
production, a show at the Orlando Repertory Theatre, or a show at the Orlando
Shakespeare Theatre. It is expected you will attend a production in the same
semester you complete your exit critique. Failure to attend one performance of any
show produced by one of these companies will result in you being unable to fulfill
your written assignment for the class.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism and Cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will
result at least in an "F" for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity of
the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course) and may be subject to appropriate
referral to the Office of Student Conduct for further action. See the UCF Golden Rule
for further information. I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the
academic creed of this University and will maintain the highest standards of
academic integrity. I also will adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity,
so please do not ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade
illegitimately or to bend or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone.
Please be aware I utilize Internet resources to research any paper suspected of
being lifted or purchased for use in this class. It is easier than you think to discover
whether your paper is original or not!! Dont jeopardize your chances of achieving a
good grade in this course simply because you didnt prepare for any written
assignment. In this course I utilize Turnitin.com, an automated system which
Professors can use to quickly and easily compare each student's assignment with
billions of web sites, as well as an enormous database of student papers that grows
with each submission. Accordingly, you may be expected to submit assignments in
electronic format. After the assignment is processed, I receive a report from
Turnitin.com that states if and how another authors work was used in the
assignment. For a more detailed look at this process, visit Turnitin.com
Disability Statement
The University of Central Florida is committed to providing reasonable
accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus is available in
alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need
accommodations in this course must contact the professor at the beginning of the
semester to discuss needed accommodations. No accommodations will be provided
until the student has met with the professor to request accommodations. Students
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who need accommodations must be registered with Student Disability Services,

Student Resource Center Room 132, phone (407) 823-2371, TTY/TDD only phone
(407) 823-2116, before requesting accommodations from the professor.

Copyright
This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips,
images, text materials, etc. These items are being used with regard to the Fair Use
doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy,
duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly
reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright
materials are credited to the copyright holder.
Third-Party Software and FERPA
During this course you might have the opportunity to use public online services
and/or software applications sometimes called third-party software such as a blog or
wiki. While some of these could be required assignments, you need not make any
personally identifying information on a public site. Do not post or provide any private
information about yourself or your classmates. Where appropriate you may use a
pseudonym or nickname. Some written assignments posted publicly may require
personal reflection/comments, but the assignments will not require you to disclose
any personally identity-sensitive information. If you have any concerns about this,
please contact your instructor.

Incomplete grades:
The University of Central Florida catalog lists the following information regarding
incomplete grades:
A grade of I (Incomplete) may be assigned by the Professor when a student
is unable to complete a course due to extenuating circumstances, and when
all requirements can be completed in a short time following the end of the
term. The student is responsible to arrange with the Professor for the
completion of the requirements of the course. Effective with incomplete
grades assigned in the Fall semester 1997 and thereafter, a student
CANNOT graduate from the University with an I on the transcript. The
incomplete must be changed within one year of the last day of the semester
attempted or prior to graduation from the University, whichever comes first.
Unresolved incomplete grades automatically will be changed to F by the
Registrars Office. Unresolved I grades in courses graded with S or U
will be converted to U.

The Golden Rule

Violations of student academic behavior standards are outlined in the Golden Rule,
the University of Central Floridas Student Handbook. As a UCF student, you are
held responsible for knowing what is listed in The Golden Rule handbook.

UCF Creed

Integrity, scholarship, community, creativity, and excellence are the core values that
guide our conduct, performance, and decisions.

Integrity
I will practice and defend academic and personal honesty.

Scholarship
I will cherish and honor learning as a fundamental purpose of my membership in the
UCF community.

Community
I will promote an open and supportive campus environment by respecting the rights
and contributions of every individual.

Creativity
I will use my talents to enrich the human experience.

Excellence
I will strive toward the highest standards of performance in any endeavor I
undertake.

As reflected in the UCF creed, integrity and scholarship are core values that should
guide our conduct and decisions as members of the UCF community. Plagiarism and
cheating contradict these values, and so are very serious academic offenses.
Penalties can include a failing grade in an assignment or in the course, or
suspension or expulsion from the university. Students are expected to familiarize
themselves with and follow the Universitys Rules of Conduct.

NOTE:
This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the Professor. A new
syllabus will be issued by the Professor should major changes occur.

Resubmission Deadline Information:

If you submitted your Exit Critique paper last semester and failed, you have
until MONDAY, February 23rd at NOON to resubmit your corrected paper to
the Professor for review. You can send it earlier than the deadline. Send
your paper directly to me at joseph.rusnock@ucf.edu. Papers must be
in WORD format Only!

The Professor will review why you failed last semester, and if you have
sufficiently corrected your mistakes, then you are done and will pass the
course. You do NOT have to resubmit to Turnitin.com.

If you do not sufficiently correct your mistakes, the Professor will notify you
what still needs to be corrected. You must then make those corrections and
resubmit your paper by the April date for New Submissions and it will be sent
on to the 3 faculty readers as a new paper along with the first time submits
at the end of the semester.

If your resubmit arrives to me after the deadline date & time, it will
automatically be sent on to the 3 faculty readers as a new paper along with
the first time submits at the end of the semester.

First-time Submissions:
If this is the first time you are submitting your Exit Critique paper for faculty review,
please read the following information to find out how to submit to Turnitin.com and
when YOUR deadline is.

Department Exit Critique Guidelines

Required Length: Minimum of 750 words. Maximum of 2500 words.
Format: Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, 1 margins,
Standard Written English. Follow proper MLA formatting to list your NAME,
DEGREE PROGRAM, GRADUATION DATE, and FINAL WORD COUNT.
Final Exit Critiques for Graduation must be submitted through www.turnitin.com for
assessment of plagiarism and cheating.
Criteria for Evaluation:
Read through the Exit Critique Grading Rubric for clear information on how you
will be evaluated.
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 You must have a minimum of THREE research resources, aside from the
production program. You must use one book for every internet site you use for
research. Be extremely selective with the internet sites you use (i.e., Wikipedia
is not a reliable source for information).
If you are using the show program, cite it as such (Show Program).
Grading: Pass/Fail evaluation in all criteria areas. You must pass ALL criteria areas in
order to pass the Exit Critique.

Your Paper Should Include the Following:

Introductory Paragraph:
Statement of thesis and introduction to discussion items.

History/Script Analysis:
What is the historical context of the play/playwright? How does this play fit into
the playwrights body of work and how does it compare to other plays from the
same period or genre? Provide research data on the original production and
revivals (if appropriate). Go beyond what is presented in the Dramaturgs and
Directors notes. Does the production serve the intention of the script use
specific analysis of script text to support your opinion.

The Play:
What was the story or subject (in two or three sentences please, not paragraphs)?
Who were the main characters? Which characters did you root for? Which ones
did you like? Which ones did you hate? WHY? How did the play end? Was the
conflict developed and resolved?

Production Aesthetics:
Evaluate the acting; directing; choreography/musical direction (if appropriate);
costume, lighting, set, sound designs; stage management/calling of the
show/scene changes and crew work? (Give examples specific to the particular
production.) Did the design elements help to make the play more believable or
exciting? What style was this production? Does the style support the meaning?
Did the acting/directing/movement elements serve the play?

The Audience:
How did the audience react to this production? Was their reaction similar to your
own? Why or why not? Was it a homogeneous group or a diverse one? Was the
event being presented primarily by and for a particular group and, if so, were you a
member of that group?
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Conclusion:
Summarize your own response to this performance in a clear and mature manner.
Please consider the elements above. Be selective and analytical. How does it
measure against your standard of good theatre? Would you recommend it to a
friend? Why or why not? Consider what the playwright or production is attempting
to do? Did they alter the original meaning, or are they presenting the playwrights
views? Check the Directors notes. How well has it been done? Did they achieve
their goal even if you didnt like it? Is it worth doing?

Turnitin.com Submission Information

When you are ready to submit your paper to Turnitin.com, heres the information you
need:

Final paper is due to Turnitin.com and the Professor by FRIDAY, April 10th at
12 NOON - SHARP!! NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!

Go to www.turnitin.com and log in. Look for Class ID Number 9346699

The class is under my name as instructor.

The password you will need is theatreucf

The assignment is Spring 2015 - Final Exit Critique

Make sure you have your paper submitted WELL BEFORE the deadline. If you
miss the deadline, you will fail this class and will have to re-take it in order to
graduate. Do not wait untill the last minutes or seconds as the system often gets
jammed at that time and you will miss the deadline. DONT RISK IT!
REMEMBER: You can turn in your paper ANY TIME during the semesteryou
dont have to wait until the deadline date & time.

Helpful Hints
Here are some of the most common mistakes made on Exit Critique papers:

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1. Lack of proper research resources -- USE THE LIBRARY!! And, don't rely
solely on the internet for research...or the notes in the show program. Once
you complete your research, make sure you USE and CITE YOUR
SOURCES!
2. Lack of discussion of script analysis -- faculty graders will be looking
specifically at how you analyze the script of the show. Thus, try to read the
actual script before you see the show...or spend some time with the script
after the show to help you in your analysis discussion.
3. Peer Evaluation -- part of our assessment of your writing is how effectively
you evaluate your peers...this includes actors, stage managers, student
designers, crew members...any part of the production run by students.
4. Clear writing and communication of ideas -- be clear and succinct in your
writing. Avoid slang and informal writing style. Remember -- this should
be a FORMAL ESSAY you are presenting to qualify for graduation!!
5. Mechanics This is the area in which most students fail. Check your
spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Go to the UCF Writing Center and have
them work with you on your paper before you turn it in to insure all your
commas are in place and your sentence structure is correct. And be sure to
put your Word Count on your paper at the top of the first page.
6. MLA Formatting -- The majority of students who fail to pass the Exit Critique
also have problems in this area. If you do not know how to write in MLA
formatting, find a book or go to the UCF Writing Center for assistance.
Exit Critique Rubric

Student Name:
UNACCEPTABLE

BELOW PASSING

PASSING

Word Count not included or not within

required range. PAPER WILL NOT BE
Word Count
GRADED AND AUTOMATICALLY
FAILS.

OUTSTANDING

Word Count included and within

required range

Production Research / Historical Context

Presentation of required research
Evidence of missing in one or more areas or
Research unacceptable in both areas

Sources

Did not follow source guidelines--either

only one source or more than one
internet site for every book/journal

Analysis of Aesthetics:
Production Acting not included in paper
Aesthetics:
Acting
Production Directing & Choreography not included
Aesthetics: in paper
Directing (&
Choreography)

Presentation of required research weak

in both areas

Presentation of required research

outstanding in 1 area and adequate in
the other

Followed source guidelines for

books/internet sites but two or more
sources are of questionable quality
or relevance
OR
fewer than 3 sources

Followed source guidelines for

At least 3 sources and either all
books/internet sites but one source is of sources or one PRINT source fo
questionable quality or relevance
WEB source. All sources are qu
sources that relate to the topic

Provides analysis with weak supporting

details

Provides analysis where details in

support of opinion are sparse but
strong
Provides analysis where details in
support of opinion are sparse but
strong

Provides analysis with weak supporting

details

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Presentation of required researc

outstanding in both: Relevant Th
/ Playwright History Original Play
Production Info

Provides effective analysis w/deta

supporting opinions

Provides effective analysis w/deta

supporting opinions

Production Costumes not included in paper

Aesthetics:
Costumes
Production Lighting not included in paper
Aesthetics:
Lighting
Production Scenery not included in paper
Aesthetics:
Scenery
Production Sound not included in paper
Aesthetics:
Sound
Production SM/Tech/Crew not included in paper
Aesthetics:
SM/Tech/Crew
Written Communication Skills:
Writing is disorganized and does not
Organization follow organizational guidelines

Provides analysis with weak supporting

details
Provides analysis with weak supporting
details
Provides analysis with weak supporting
details
Provides analysis with weak supporting
details
Provides analysis with weak supporting
details

Provides analysis where details in

support of opinion are sparse but
strong
Provides analysis where details in
support of opinion are sparse but
strong
Provides analysis where details in
support of opinion are sparse but
strong
Provides analysis where details in
support of opinion are sparse but
strong
Provides analysis where details in
support of opinion are sparse but
strong

Provides effective analysis w/deta

supporting opinions

Provides effective analysis w/deta

supporting opinions

Provides effective analysis w/deta

supporting opinions

Provides effective analysis w/deta

supporting opinions

Provides effective analysis w/deta

supporting opinions

Paper is somewhat organized and

Paper is mostly organized and mostly
partially follows organizational guidelines follows organizational guidelines

Paper is clearly organized and fo

organizational guidelines

Introduction included, but does not

relate to rest of paper or does not
contain effective thesis statement

Introduction and thesis statement

included but could be more effective.

Effective Introduction to discussio

items including thesis statement

In addition to the specifics evaluated in

other areas of the rubric, the paper also
includes:

THE PLAY:
Missing two topics
AUDIENCE: Provides analysis with few
to no strong supporting details

In addition to the specifics evaluated in

other areas of the rubric, the paper also
includes:
THE PLAY: Missing one topic or
synopsis slightly too lengthy
AUDIENCE: Provides analysis where
details in support of opinion are
sparse but strong

In addition to the specifics evalu

other areas of the rubric, the pap
includes:
THE PLAY: Brief synopsis with b
explanation of main characters,
conflict within the play, and how
resolution was gained. Should be
a few sentences.
AUDIENCE: Provides effective
analysis w/details supporting opi

Conclusion not included in paper or has Conclusion loosely connected to paper

Conclusion no connection to the body of the paper

Conclusion weakly summarizes paper

Strong Conclusion which summa

paper

Three instances either of disciplineDiscipline specific terms not being used correctly
Specific or an incorrect term being used in place
Vocabulary of the correct discipline-specific term.

One discipline-specific term is not used Uses proper discipline-specific

correctly or one incorrect term is used in terminology throughout paper.
place of the correct discipline-specific
term.

Introduction and thesis statement not

Introduction included in paper
In addition to the specifics evaluated in
other areas of the rubric, the paper also
includes:
THE PLAY: Synopsis not included or is
overly lengthy
Content AUDIENCE: Audience not included in
paper

Mechanics

More than five sentence faults,

grammatical errors, punctuation errors,
and/or spelling errors

2 or more missing in-text citations

OR
No Works Cited
MLA
OR
Formatting
Major instances of improper use of
MLA formatting throughout

Two instances either of disciplinespecific terms not being used correctly

or an incorrect term being used in place
of the correct discipline-specific term.

4-5 sentence faults, grammatical errors, 1-3 sentence faults, grammatical errors, No sentence faults
punctuation errors, and/or spelling
punctuation errors, and/or spelling
No grammatical errors
errors
errors
No punctuation errors
No spelling errors

1 missing citation
No missing citations All required info but No missing citations nor errors in
OR
slight errors in MLA format on Works
formatting or Works Cited
Repeated major errors in citation format Cited and/or in text citations
OR
Works Cited does not attempt to follow
MLA format

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