Communication 12
INTERPRETATION
Spring 2014

Instructor: Anna Martinez, M.A.
Office #: Soc 38 (southeast side of campus)
Office hours: Tuesday 11-12, Wednesday 10-11, Thursday 11-12, Friday 10-12
Phone #: 638-3641 ext. 3680    Email: anna.martinez@reedleycollege.edu
Note: I plan to respond to your emailed questions within 48 hours. 
Class web address: http://blackboard.reedleycollege.edu – find the Comm 12 class listing and click it.
Required Textbook 
Jaffe, Clella.  Performing Literary Texts: Concepts and Skills.  Independence: Cengage, 2006. 
Purchase the text as soon as possible, or you will fall behind in class rapidly.  There is a copy on reserve in the Reedley College library for your use if needed while you wait for yours to arrive (must stay in library, and there is a maximum time period for checkout). 
Course Advisory
It is highly recommended that you be eligible to take English 1A (already completed English 125) at the time you take this course.  This course involves reading, analysis, and organization skills that may be a challenge for you if you are not eligible for this English level.                                                 
Course Outcomes & Description
This course involves the interpretation of literature through oral performance of selected works of literature including, but not limited to: poetry, fiction, essays, drama and children’s literature.  It includes both individual and group performances, which may include reader’s theatre. 
Through this class you will gain a new appreciation of literature as you learn how to share drama, fiction, nonfiction, poetry and children’s literature with an audience.  This type of performance is called “oral interpretation” because you first gain a deep understanding of the literature and then you use your body and voice to convey that understanding to an audience.  No two persons approaching the same literature will ever interpret the same piece of literature exactly alike.  Thus, each oral interpretive performance is unique.  It is as individual as each person’s own enjoyment of the literature.  Your enjoyment of literature will deepen over this semester, as well as your confidence in sharing that literature and its message with audiences.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: 
•	Create and perform interpretive programs of various literary genres that are adapted to the audience.
•	Select and comprehend various forms of literature appropriate for oral performance.
•	Demonstrate emotion and develop characterization through vocal control and non- verbal characterization.
•	Analyze the effectiveness of oral interpretation performances.
Assignments
(For more details on these assignments, see accompanying Assignment Details packet.  For due dates, see attached Proposed Schedule.)	
Oral Performances
Performance #1        Storytelling			0
Performance #2        Children’s Literature	100
Performance #3        Mixed Genre Program	200
Performance #4        Readers’ Theatre		260
Performance total    560
Quizzes
You will have four quizzes throughout the semester.  Each one may contain some combination of multiple choice, short answer, fill-in, or true/false questions.  You will be given a study guide on Blackboard in advance of each quiz to help you focus your studies.  

Quiz #1	Chapter 1-2 lecture/discussion/handout material		75
Quiz #2	Chapters 3-4 plus lecture/discussion/handout material	75
Quiz #3	Chapter 5-7 plus lecture/discussion/handout material	75
Quiz #4	Chapters 8-10 plus lecture/discussion/handout material	75
	
Quiz total 300 
Papers
Self-analysis
Each student will turn in a 2-3 page typed essay analysis of her/his experience of doing the first formal performance in front of the class.  This analysis will be due soon after we complete the Children’s Literature performances.  In it, you should discuss your experience (feelings, problems, successes, unexpected occurrences) of preparing and presenting the performance to the class.  The paper should be as thorough as possible, highlighting your: feelings about the performance (positive and negative), unexpected problems or joys, your process in preparing the performance, and anything else relevant to the situation.  Rather than simply telling me what you did, explain to me how you felt about it all.  Evaluate yourself using the criteria I use to grade you; tell me what grade you’d give yourself and why. 
 								Self-analysis total 40
Outside Performance Analysis (OPA)					
	Each student will need to attend a literature interpretation/reading/performance outside of the classroom situation during the semester and turn in a 2-3 page typed analysis of the experience.  This paper will be due toward the end of the semester.  You will receive some ideas/ suggestions/ opportunities in class for performances you can attend, but it is your responsibility to find one that fits your schedule.  You CANNOT use a performance given over radio/internet/ television.  However, keep your eyes out for events on campus and around town like: 
•	author’s readings
•	a speech team competition of an interpretation event 
•	a live play/theatre event
•	poetry readings or open mic sessions at a local coffee shop
•	story time for children at a library or school
•	a poetry slam
•	a storytelling session
	In the paper, don’t simply tell me what the plot line of the literature was, you should critique the performer – how did the person do in his/her interpretation/reading/performance of the literature?  What grade would you give him/her, and why?  
							OPA total 50
  Participation
Throughout the semester, you will be involved.  This is not a class in which you will sit idle and absorb information.  You will be DOING.  On any given day, you can expect to do one or more of the following: give written and/or verbal critiques of your classmates’ performances, engage in warm-up exercises for your body and/or voice, read from a script, work in a group for analysis or performance, give an impromptu individual performance, analyze a script, etc.  These are all mandatory parts of the class.  Unlike other classes you may take at the college level, this class has a hard time functioning unless all students are present to give suggestions, offer praise, and get help/advice from other classmates throughout the semester.  You are expected to attend class and be on time in order to reap these benefits yourself as well as provide help to your peers.  Missing classes (regardless of reason, even when others are performing), arriving late, leaving early, sleeping, texting…WILL hurt this section of your grade.  Some leniency in points may be granted up to the point at which you miss four class periods.  Then, you could lose as many as 5 points per class period for not being present to participate or engaging in non-participatory behavior.  
Participation total 50
									GRAND TOTAL 1000
Additional points					
You will be given the opportunity to do ONE additional point assignment for your grade.  At least four assignment options will be given to you, and you may choose any one of them.  The assignments will be due toward the end of the semester.  I would advise that you do one even if you don’t think you’ll need it because I will not be offering any additional last-minute assignments later or extended due dates in this area.  Additional points are privileges given to students by instructors, not rights.  For more information on the assignment options, see the second to last page of this document.  If you do not attempt all three of the graded performances, you will not be able to do an additional points assignment.      
(Optional – Max. total of 50)

Grade Distribution 
Final grades will be based on the following scale:

900 & above=A, 899-800=B, 799-700=C, 699-600=D, 599 & below=F.

I will post frequent grade updates on Blackboard so you can ALWAYS check your current grade in the class.  To log in, go to http://blackboard.reedleycollege.edu and use your college ID# as your username.  Your password is likely your college ID# as well unless you’ve changed it in another class. 
Late Assignments
MY LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY IS A STRICT ONE!  I am do not waste valuable time dealing with reasons or excuses for late work.  Good news: I will accept late work.  Bad news: Regardless of reason, late work will be given a penalty.  In other words: even if you are sick, on a college-sponsored trip, or dealing with hard times at work or home, you WILL receive a penalty if any of your work is late.  Specifically:
o	Written assignments (self-analysis or outside performance analysis) – late ones will be lowered one full letter grade (10%).
o	Quizzes – miss these and you must make up a different format of the quiz that will involve an essay format.  
o	Participation – if you miss, come late, leave early, text/sleep/chat in class, etc. on ANY day, you risk losing these points.  These cannot be made up.  Leniency will be granted up to the equivalent of about 4 class periods, but after that, you will see your points dwindle with subsequent violations.
o	Performances – here’s the big one: If you do not do your interpretation performance on the day it is due, you will receive a 20% grade dock on the performance!  This is a huge penalty and could make or break your grade in this class.  Due to the nature of the class, I MUST enforce this or it will put everyone behind.  You must not waste my or any of your classmates’ valuable time with lateness on these.  Period. 
Additionally, be aware that there is a time limit with which to turn in any late work.  There will be a TWO-WEEK GRACE PERIOD to make up any quizzes, do any performance, or turn in any papers.  It is during this grace period that the point docks will occur.  After this grace period is over, it will be too late; and you will receive a zero (0) on that assignment.  
I do not search you out for make-ups if you miss an assignment.  It is your responsibility to approach me and schedule an appointment.
Drop Policy
If you miss the second day of class without notifying me in advance that you will be gone, I will drop you and add someone from the wait list.
If you miss 4 or more class periods (consecutive days or otherwise, regardless of reason) in the first nine-weeks, I reserve the right to drop you from the course.  

Advice
The college’s policies regarding student conduct in classes, including cheating and plagiarism, are located in the college catalogue and the schedule of courses.  You should be aware of these policies and abide by them.  Be aware that I may run any paper you submit through anti-plagiarism software (e.g. Turnitin.com, SafeAssign, Google) if I suspect plagiarism.  If plagiarism is detected, I may also go back to re-evaluate work you have previously submitted for the course.  
Students with disabilities are reminded that it is your responsibility to identify yourself to the Reedley College Disabled Students Services and to your instructor(s) so reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation within the course can be made.
Extra help 
Please feel free to visit our new Communication Lab in Soc 37 for help on any of your assignments.  You can work with any lab assistant/tutor/instructor who happens to be in at the time as he/she will be familiar with my assignments and can give you great advice!  Additionally, you can make use of the Tutorial Center located in the library and/or the Writing Center (located in Hum 59).  Names of specific outstanding tutors you can contact will be given in class.
The Blackboard site will include lots of help for you throughout the semester.  Not only will you be able to check your grades anytime, but you will also find:
•	the course syllabus
•	copies of handouts (in case you lose one or need an extra copy of anything)
•	example assignments (from real students in past classes)
•	performance topic/literature suggestions
•	quiz reviews
•	links to sample performances
•	…and much more!
Please use this web site – it is there for YOU.  If you do not have Internet access, please make use of the computer labs on campus as I will not always have extra copies of handouts, etc. in class.  Using Blackboard for this class will make your Interpretation class experience MUCH easier!  Again, to log in, go to http://blackboard.reedleycollege.edu and use your college ID# as your username.  Your password is likely your college ID# as well unless you’ve changed it in another class.
A Note on My Teaching Style
I cannot and will not re-teach a class you miss. A student who misses a class must assume total responsibility of informing him/herself of class notes, announcements, and assignments.  It is also your responsibility to monitor your progress in this class.  I do not search out students to inform them of their grades—I expect that they are watching Blackboard or keeping track of it themselves.  It is a good idea to keep all graded assignments that I pass back to you as proof of your status, at least until you receive your final grade at the end of the semester (that’s good advice for all of your classes).

Let’s make literature fun!   

Additional Points – Communication 12
* Note: These assignments are OPTIONAL – you are NOT required to do any of them.

There will be five assignments given to you as options in this area.  You may choose one (1) for a maximum of 50 additional points.  THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE IN MY HANDS OR COMPLETED BY THE DUE DATE LISTED IN THE SYLLABUS FOR YOU TO EARN ANY ADDITIONAL POINTS FOR THE CLASS.  No late additional point assignments will be accepted.
 If you do the best job you can on this assignment, it will raise your overall final grade by half of a letter grade (for example, a grade of 85% (B) would be raised to a 90% (A).  It is certainly not enough to make up for neglecting to do a major assignment, but it could help you out if you are ever late on a performance or don’t do as well on a quiz or two.  However, if you do not attempt all three of the graded performances, you will not be able to do an additional points assignment.
Remember, I give point docks on ALL late work, regardless of how heart wrenching the reason/excuse might be; doing one of these projects might pay off in the long run.  Plus, they are legitimate and valuable supplements to your education in interpretation.  You just might learn something extra.
•	Option #1 – Participate in an intramural forensics/speech competition – Negotiations Tournament. This event is a LOT of fun and involves only basic speech students from Reedley College negotiating deals in various mock situations. It gives you a chance to play a “role” in more real-life situations.  The date will be announced in class. I run the competition, so I will verify your attendance.
•	Option #2 – Observe an ADDITIONAL interpretation/reading/performance in the “real world” (OPA) and submit a 2-3 page, double-spaced, typed analysis telling me how you felt about the performance.  These events occur periodically on our campus as well as at valley libraries.  When I hear of these events, I will let you know; but, you should search some out yourself, too.  Please remember that one of these papers is already required.  In order for this option to count as extra credit, you will need complete the required one as well (thus, you will need to observe and write about two performances).
•	Option #3 – Judge a high school interpretation competition at Reedley High School on Saturday, May 10.  Judge at least two rounds of interpretation competition (duo interp, dramatic interp, oratorical interp, original prose/poetry, thematic interp, humorous interp).  The event staff will orient you that morning in how to judge, and more details will be given to you as the day approaches.  Your experience in this class will more than qualify you to judge.
•	Option #4 – Perform one of your programs for an Oral Interpretation Festival and/or our annual Speech Night.  You may be selected by me to perform one of your assignments for interested faculty/staff/students at a special venue on campus in a slightly more formal type of setting.  Performing at these events will earn you additional points.  More details to come.
•	Option #5 – Attend Talking Tiger Speech Night or the Oral Interp Festival.  Attend (or participate in, upon instructor invitation) one of these student speech presentation events and write/turn-in a one-page evaluation of the interp performances you observe.  Both events will occur sometime toward the end of the semester.

There may be a couple of other opportunities; these will be announced in class.

Doing any of the above assignments will not guarantee you a full 50 points on the project.  Each will be evaluated by me and given the amount of extra points I feel it deserves.  

PROPOSED SCHEDULE – Comm 12 – Spring 2014

You are expected to have the read/scanned the unit in the text BEFORE we analyze it in class.

Date		ACTIVITY				     	     	ASSIGNMENTS DUE
T	1-14	Introduction to the course & icebreakers        
Th	1-16	Chapter 1 & syllabus quiz             			Must have syllabus read    
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	1-21	Chapter 1                        
Th	1-23	Performance apprehension                        
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	1-28	Storytelling performances
Th	1-30	Storytelling performances & Sign ups for Children’s Lit performance	    
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	2-4	Chapter 2
Th	2-6	Chapter 2
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	2-11	Quiz #1						
Th	2-13	Chapter 3						Child Lit title DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	2-18	Chapter 3 
Th	2-20	Chapter 4    
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	2-25	Children’s Literature performances				Scripts DUE 
Th	2-27	Children’s Literature performances				Scripts DUE 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	3-4	Children’s Literature performances				Scripts DUE
Th	3-6	Children’s Literature performances				Scripts DUE		
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	3-11	Chapter 4 & Sign ups for Mixed Genre Program  		Self-analysis paper DUE
Th	3-13	Quiz #2		  Last day to drop Fri 3/14    
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	3-18	Chapter 5    						
Th	3-20	Chapter 6						Mixed titles DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	3-25	Chapter 7						RT Program Stage 1 DUE
Th	3-27	Chapter 7 & Sign ups for Readers’ Theatre performances   	
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	4-1	Mixed Genre performances					Scripts DUE    
Th	4-3	Mixed Genre performances					Scripts DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	4-8	Mixed Genre performances					Scripts DUE
Th	4-10	Mixed Genre performances					Scripts DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	4-15	Spring Break – no classes	
Th	4-17	Spring Break – no classes
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T 	4-22	Quiz #3 
Th	4-24	Chapter 8						RT Program Stage 2 DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	4-29	Chapter 9							
Th	5-1	Chapter 9						OPA paper DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	5-6	Chapter 10
Th	5-8	Readers’ Theatre performances                			Scripts DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
T	5-13	Readers’ Theatre performances                			Scripts DUE
Th	5-15	Readers’ Theatre performances                		Additional Points & Scripts DUE
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* T	5-20	12:00-1:50	Quiz #4 		
* We will only meet one day during finals week.