Caribbean Theatre Orientation Page

Syllabus for Spring 2012

Spring Semester 2012

Thanks for your interest in taking the online Caribbean Theatre course, THE 4434 section 141, reference number 17731, offered during Spring Semester 2012 through the University of South Florida as a distance learning option. This note contains information about registration and orientation. It may help to answer some of your questions about the course, including how assignments are completed, how the course works and an overview of what we will cover during the semester. Caribbean Theatre meets the University of South Florida's Exit Requirements. It is certified for Fine Arts and Humanities and for the following dimensions: Critical Thinking, Inquiry-based Learning, Creative and Interpretive Processes and Experiences and Human and Cultural Diversity.

Perhaps you have taken an online course before, or you may be apprehensive about what is required. As the instructor, I would like you to know that many students have successfully completed this course and enjoyed the process. The online format gives you the opportunity to decide when you want to participate in the learning process as long as you meet the deadlines for assignments. The readings and assessments are very similar to an on-campus class with a major difference being that you may use books and notes during the quizzes. You will also have three group assignments where you will develop a report on a subject such as Carnival, Calypso or Steel Band using group discussion, Wiki pages and e-mail. The course focuses on the drama and popular performance forms in the English-speaking West Indies, which for some of you might be a new subject but for others it may be more familiar, especially if you have performed in shows or enjoy theatre and film or live in the region.

If you have any questions about tuition or enrollment, or if you would like to register, you may do so online through the web addresses listed below or by telephone.

For questions about registration, you may contact Merry Lynn Morris, CVPA Theatre advisor in Tampa, at: mmorris@arts.usf.edu. Her telephone number is: 974-1739.

At this time there isn't a formal orientation session for Caribbean Theatre. I will answer all questions through Blackboard.

Please note that you may always make an appointment to see me in my office throughout the semester. All of the work is assigned and completed online (in addition to the readings which you will do on your own as you do for an on-campus course). There are videotapes for viewing, and we will make those tapes available to you at your local campus, or the distance learning office will mail them to you in time for your assignments.

The books will be available in the Tampa bookstore. For "students at a distance," you may check prices and order the required textbooks and plays online at our textbook link, or you may find the material on electronic reserve. There is a customized "Reader" for the course with plays and essays. It will be available at Pro-Copy on Fowler Avenue in Tampa. Students who are at a distance may order the Reader through the Pro-Copy Website. The plays and essays in the Reader are available through e-Reserve for registered distance learning students. Please be sure to select THE 4434 on e-Reserve.

The class is administered through Blackboard (MyUSF). Before you go to this site you must be registered for the class. To see if you are "officially" registered through the University of South Florida, you must obtain a NetID by going to this address: https://una.acomp.usf.edu, then you may log into the portal by going to https://my.usf.edu and clicking on the link to Caribbean Theatre.

The Blackboard site has announcements, reading assignments and other documents. This is where you will find announcements, and grade reports. You will participate in discussion forums on specific topics at this site. Since this course is offered under both on-campus and online options, distance learning students will find more pertinent information on the Blackboard site pertaining to the course. You will receive regular reading and website assignments in advance. I will keep you informed primarily through announcements on Blackboard and e-mail. You must contact me to in advance to give me your e-mail address.

There are three quizzes you will take on Blackboard, three group projects and a research paper. You'll do most of the work as you would for a campus class (e.g. assigned readings), but you will have web-based assignments as well including pictures, websites and notes to study. Exams are "open book, open notes," taken at your home computer workstation. Towards the end of the semester, you will complete the group projects using the tools on Blackboard, such as private group discussion and virtual chat. Guidelines for the research paper are on the course website and CD-ROM, available at the bookstore during the first week of the semester. I'll provide more details on Blackboard and will answer any questions you send to me directly via e-mail. Please check for announcements on Blackboard at least twice a week during the semester. I will give you plenty of time to complete assignments, and provide advance notice of due dates for assignments and quizzes.

Thank you for your participation.

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