Course Syllabus

Faculty

First Peoples Principles and Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are honoured to live, work, and play on this land together.
As part of contribution to reconciliation, this course makes First Peoples Principles of Learning visible in class by:

As part of contribution to reconciliation, this course makes First Peoples Principles of Learning visible in class by: 

• Embedding learning in story
• Taking a reflective, experiential approach to learning, where students learn by creating art and reflecting on their processes
• Exploring personal identity by building confidence, risk-taking and trust
• Learning from failure and repetition to understand that art takes patience and time

Course Description

Drama is a highly social activity which forces students to rely on the good will and co-operative spirit of their classmates.  Building self-confidence and developing trust are essential for any student to enjoy success in this subject.  Also, students need to participate at a high level if they are going to experience the learning outcomes of various drama activities.  This course is about challenging oneself, about allowing creative forces to have free reign, and about empathizing with others.  Certainly, along the way, students will gain some insight into developing believable characters; they will consider how characters speak, move, think, feel, and listen.

Contacting Me

I can be contacted in the following ways:

Mr. Donnici (S1 only)

• Email: jdonnici@stgeorges.bc.ca
• Office: 230A

Mr. Fredeman

• Email: lfredeman@stgeorges.bc.ca

Mr. Boise (S2 only)

• Email: wboise@stgeorges.bc.ca
• Office: 124

We are available  Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 4:00pm. Mr. Fredeman is only available on Day 2's.

Learning Outcomes

Based on the B.C. Ministry of Education curriculum, students will learn and be evaluated on the following knowledge and skills:

Outcomes:

• Creating Artistic Works: Create artistic works with character, time, place, and conflict, as individuals or through collaboration
• Movement, Spatial Awareness, and Balance: Create mood and convey ideas through movement, spatial awareness, and balance.
• Performance: Clearly express ideas and emotions in rehearsed performances.
• Responding to Works: Respond to works of art using their knowledge of the world.
• Risk-Taking: Improvise and take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences.
• Symbols and Elements to Express Meaning: Interpret and communicate ideas using symbols and elements to express meaning.

Assessment and Evaluation

A student's final mark will be determined by evaluation of their ability to demonstrate proficiency in these skills and learning these concepts.

Grades

• Calculation method: The latest attempt at a learning outcome will be weighted for 65% a student's grade in that outcome, while the previous attempt(s) will be weighted for 35%. This means that improvement is valued and rewarded, allowing students to take risks and learn from mistakes early on in the course.
• Please do not ask me what your mark is - this can be calculated using your grades on the learning outcomes and the weights listed above.
• If you would like to discuss a mark you have received, please wait at least 24 hours after receiving it, to allow yourself to read and process my feedback and your own emotions.

Both the school’s assessment expectations and supports that teachers provide can be found online. Academic dishonesty to any degree is not acceptable.

There are a variety of academic supports available at St. George’s for students. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the range of supports available to them which include:

• Faculty support
• Support Block
• Head of Grade
• Student Success Centre
• Personal Counselling

Learning Resources

This course syllabus, all current unit and major assessments for the current term, and a plethora of helpful learning resources can be found on my Canvas page. 

Resources that will be used as part of this course include:

• A computer for some collaborative writing assignments
• Various scripts, films and plays
• Costume, lighting, and props from the Theatre Arts Department

Course Expectations

• In Drama 8, the most important expectation is that you create a physically and emotionally safe environment for your fellow student actors. It is absolutely vital that you follow the rules in any drama exercise, and that you do not participate unsafely, especially in exercises that involve physical movement. You must respect your classmates at all times, whether they are engaging in a drama game or rehearsing for a performance. It is completely unacceptable to mock any of your fellow student actors, as actors need a safe environment to take risks. Work together, be kind to each other, listen, and the creativity and risk-taking will follow.

  St. George’s School expects all students at the Senior School to be interested and motivated in achieving their personal best while at the School. We expect students will be engaged in their endeavours, responsible to their studies, classmates and teachers, and demonstrate integrity in their pursuit of learning.

  Workload
  When students are in class in Drama 8, they are expected to be focused, engaged and working consistently. The vast majority of the course will take place in class, although students may occasionally need to spend about 30 minutes per week memorizing lines or sourcing props and costumes.
  Submitting work
  Students in this course are expected to complete work assignments on the date assigned by being fully prepared for any performances. All performances will be marked and given feedback on Canvas.   If circumstances prevent the student from being appropriately prepared on the assigned due date, the student must inform the teacher prior to the due date for the work assignment. The teacher will provide a second due date through the 5th block system. 

Learning Plan

Literacy/Numeracy

This course makes literacy/numeracy visible by using the following comprehension tasks and strategies:

• Communication Tasks/Strategies: Students are expected to create prepared improvisations for performance which will demonstrate their understanding of narrative structures.  From time to time, it may be necessary to craft an informal script in order to chart the evolution of the scene work.  
• Comprehension Tasks/Strategies: Students deal with language on an intense and creative way, listening intently to clues in the scripts of the films we are watching and learning how to parse them for character, intent, social meaning, theme, metaphor and story 

Core Competencies

This course incorporates Core Competencies into the routines, learning, and culture of the class in the following ways:

Communication:

• Collaboration with classmates on scripts and scenes
• Non-verbally and verbally creating characters, stories, and fictional worlds, and expressing  emotion and intention

Critical and Creative Thinking

• Create and refine original stories and characters

Personal and Social Responsibility

• Memorize and practice lines and blocking
• Apply understanding of real-world issues to create socially conscious art