States that undergraduate theater students typically approach their required courses in theater history with apprehension. Argues that, with the introduction of new methodologies in theater history, it is time to inspect the place of the survey course in the curriculum and to review the particular demands placed upon the teacher of theater…

Describes the development of an introductory theater course which encourages students to fashion well-informed views of plays. Notes that the skills fostered in this course could start students on the road to becoming active, critically informed practitioners in whatever role they chose to take on in production. Explains that the course…

Describes the Syllabus Exchange program, developed by the Theater History Focus group of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. Analyzes 22 syllabi to determine the primary goals of teachers of Introduction to Theater; types of assignments given to students; teaching strategies employed; and specific organizations of class materials…

Considers the relevance of a semester length curriculum in Performance for Art and Theatre students. Contends that art majors in performance classes learn to value more ephemeral content, to work with time, and to think explicitly about audience, while theatre majors have an opportunity to engage with original, personally expressive content and to…