Theatre 282

I. Course Title: Ethics in Theater and Cinema 

II. Course Number: THEA 282

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: CORE 201 or equivalent 

V. Course Description: 

Students will develop and utilize critical thinking skills, research, writing, oral communication skills and group work to effectively analyze ethical issues in stage drama and/or cinema through character analysis, social and political analysis, and ethical theories such as deontology, consequentialism/Utilitarianism and virtue ethics.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

Instructors will select four to six primary works of stage drama and/or film with complex ethical issues and difficult character choices with complex or profound impact in context.

  1. Ethically Centered Plays: The instructor may draw on the rich history of ethically driven theater for content for analysis, discussion and creative synthesis. Plays might be chosen to represent a variety of issues, problems and circumstances or have a tight focus such as individual choices. 
  2. Ethically Centered Films: The instructor may utilize ethically driven cinema for content for analysis, discussion and creative synthesis. Films might be chosen to represent a variety of issues, problems and circumstances or have a tight focus unified by themes (environmentalism, family vs. individual responsibilities, etc.) or by genre or series. 
  3. Hybrid Option: An instructor might elect to blend stage and screen content to develop the course including the use of film adaptations of plays.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

  1. Course readings: The instructor will select a text or series of articles constituting a text that define and explore ethical theories and problems. Sources might also include online resources like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy or The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. The instructor may also assign readings related directly to the primary course material (the plays/films). 
  2. Class discussion: Structured and unstructured assignments designed to promote discussions on ethics and aesthetics in the primary course materials (the plays/films). 
  3. In class group workshops: Class time devoted to working on the group project (see below) with interaction from the instructor.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

The course will introduce, develop and enhance skills and abilities related to written and oral communication, academic and ethical analysis, and application of ethical theory. Assignments will be designed to:

  1. Develop and apply critical thinking skills
  2. Develop an understanding of basic ethical theories like deontology, Utilitarianism, virtue ethics, etc.
  3. Develop written and oral communication skills
  4. Develop group collaboration and cooperation skills

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

  1. Discern ethical issues and problems in works of dramatic art (and by proxy, the outside world).
  2. Understand and apply basic ethical theory for conscious decision making.
  3. Analyze ethical issues in context and communicate perspectives and judgment in both written and oral forms.
  4. Work effectively in groups through open communication skills, division of labor, problem recognition and resolution, and successful time and resource management and application.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Including but not necessarily limited to:

  • 1. Ethical Analysis Essay: Students will draw on ethical theory supported by both course resources and additional research to compose an analysis of ethics in one or more of the course content selections (plays/films). Options might include:
  •         a. Character analysis: How does ethical theory help elucidate and evaluate the decisions a given character makes and what they mean in terms         of moral determination?
  •         b. Issue analysis: How does a given film use plot, character, dialog and other critical elements to develop perspectives on ethical issues.

Review and Approval

August 2020