THTR 4420 Creative Dramatics

This course is an introduction to the process of educating through drama. Knowledge will be acquired in practice by observing, participating in, leading, and evaluating the use of creative drama to teach both elementary-level content and basic theatre skills. Students will also read, discuss, analyze, and write about current drama in education theory and practice. An important part of this course is an After-School Drama Workshop with elementary children. For a portion of the semester students will meet at a local elementary school during our regularly scheduled class time when we will engage in drama with children. Students will have an opportunity to observe, lead, and evaluate drama lessons in a school setting.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

THTR 2205 and THTR 2210

Typically Offered

Demorest campus: spring day

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following outcome-based learning skills:

1. Observe and explain the learning which occurs during children’s play and extrapolate the use of unstructured play in the elementary classroom.
2. Explain the nature and structure of drama in education and evaluate its value in the process of learning.
3. Research and summarize current trends in drama in education both nationally and in the state of Georgia.
4. Apply the educational aspects of drama in education to elementary curriculum in Georgia. 
5. Evaluate children’s literature for dramatic potential and adapt this literature for use in drama in education sessions.
6. Create and perform a dramatic presentation using puppets which focuses on common themes in character education.
7. Create, implement, and evaluate drama in education sessions with elementary students in an after-school setting.