Script Analysis Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information
Instructor
Ray Newburg (Curriculum Vitae)Phone
8063715987Office Location
Music Building 302Office Hours
*MR. NEWBURG’S ON-CAMPUS PRESENCE:
*PLEASE NOTE: Mr. Newburg maintains office hours for students in the EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE on the WASHINGTON STREET CAMPUS from 1:00-2:00PM Monday through Friday unless out-of-town, in a meeting, or otherwise engaged. If a student cannot find Mr. Newburg during the aforementioned availability, he is happy to have students request an appointment at different times via the email listed above. Mr. Newburg checks that email regularly (sometimes several times a day) and usually responds within twenty-four (24) hours from his receipt of the email; that being said, Mr. Newburg generally does not check his email as much or at all at night or in the very early morning hours, so students will most likely see responses from him between 8:00AM and 5:00PM. As he is not in his office frequently enough to check, phoning him is only the second-best way to contact him—email is preferred. A student should allow twenty-four (24) hours for Mr. Newburg to respond before trying to contact him again.
If a student is experiencing a technical difficulty with Blackboard or any other college-related online presence, he/she should contact AskAC by clicking here or by calling 806.371.5000 as quickly as possible—Mr. Newburg, unfortunately, is not as well versed with computer issues as the AskAC personnel, so a student should always try to contact them first to assist in getting online needs met.
Course Information
AI Statement
Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting
Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.
Recording Policy
Disability Statement
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:
Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.
Administrative Drop Policy
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Student Withdrawal Procedures
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
Privacy Statement
The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
Course
DRAM-2355-001 Script Analysis
Prerequisites
Course Description
Examination of foundational skills for understanding the structure and content of play scripts for interpretation and conceptualization in theater productions by directors, designers, actors, and technicians. Introduces students to significant plays in the history of dramatic literature in the playwright's social and cultural context.
Student Resources Student Resources Website
Department Expectations
Occupational License Disclaimer
Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:
Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:
Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me
You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.
Hours
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Class Type
On Campus Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
Script Analysis, 6th ed. Thomas, James. Routhledge, New York. 2020. ISBN: 97-0-8153-5229-7
Supplies
none
Student Performance
Students will maintain at least a 70% average in class, or the instructor may prescribe tutoring as needed per department guidelines.
Students will necessarily need to participate in group exercises.
Students Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesLog in using the AC Connect Portal
In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .
If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".
Expected Student Behavior
Grading Criteria
35% = 6 Assignments (lowest dropped)
35% = 8 Group Exercises (lowest dropped)
30% = 1 Final Paper
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
Attendance
Attendance in class is eesential. Attendance will be graded daily when class meets.
Calendar
MARCH
Mon 23 Lecture: Introduction to course. Chapter 1 assigned to read by next class.
Tue 24 Lecture: Breaking down Action into basic components. Oedipus Rex assigned to read by next in-class meeting. Chapter 2 assigned to read by next class.
Wed 25 NOT MEETING IN-PERSON.
Thu 26 NOT MEETING IN-PERSON.
Mon 30 Lecture: Given Circumstances (Time, Place, and History). Discuss and work on first assignment. Oedipus Rex Breakdown assigned in Content and Assignments folder.
Tue 31 Oedipus Rex Breakdown Assignment due online by 9:00AM. Lecture: Society, Economics, and Politics/Law. Group Exercise.
APRIL
Wed 01 Lecture: Culture, Spirituality, and World of Play. Group Exercise. Oedipus Rex Given Circumstances assigned in Content and Assignments folder. Chapter 5 assigned to read by next class.
Thu 02 NOT MEETING IN-PERSON.
Mon 06 Oedipus Rex Given Circumstances Assignment due online by 9:00AM. Lecture: Plot by way of beats, units, scenes, and acts. A Doll’s House assigned to read by next class.
Tue 07 Lecture: ‘Beating’ a script. 2-person. Group Exercise.
Wed 08 NOT MEETING IN-PERSON.
Thu 09 Lecture: Structure through examining A Doll’s House.
Mon 13 A Doll’s House Structure assigned in Content and Assignments folder. Chapter 6 assigned to read by next class.
Tue 14 Lecture: Character Objectives, Super-Objectives, and working Actions (tactics through action verbs). Group Exercise.
Wed 15 A Doll’s House Structure Assignment due online by 9:00AM. Lecture: Working Conflict, Willpower, Value, and Personality Traits through Stanislavsky’s 4 Levels of Characterization. Group Exercise.
Thu 16 Lecture: Relationships and building a Character Map.
Mon 20 A Doll’s House Character Map assigned in Content and Assignments folder. Chapter 7 assigned to read by next class. The Crucible assigned to read by next class.
Tue 21 Lecture: The Idea by discussing themes of The Crucible.
Wed 22 A Doll’s House Character Map Assignment due online by 9:00AM. Watching The Crucible in class.
Thu 23 Watching The Crucible in class.
Mon 27 Watching The Crucible in class.
Tue 28 The Crucible Allegory Essay assigned in Content and Assignments folder. Chapter 8 assigned to read by next class.
Wed 29 The Crucible Allegory Essay due online by 9:00AM. Lecture: Dialogue and divining Subtext. The use of Words. Group Exercise.
Thu 30 Lecture: A comparison of dialogue from the 3 plays read. Dialogue Comparison Essay assigned in Content and Assignments folder. Chapter 9 assigned to read by next class.
Fri 01 Spring Awakening opens tonight—must see or be a participant in at least once to write final paper.
MAY
Mon 04 Dialogue Comparison Essay due online by 9:00AM. Lecture: Tempo and Rhythm. Group Exercise.
Tue 05 Lecture: Mood and Atmosphere. Group Exercise.
Wed 06 Lecture: Style. Group Exercise.
Thu 07 Spring Awakening Script Analysis Paper assigned—parameters to be discussed in class.
Mon 11 Work on papers in class.
Tue 12 Work on papers in class.
Wed 13 Spring Awakening Script Analysis Paper due online by 9:00AM. ALSO, bring printed copy to class for an in-class peer evaluation (part of your final grade).
Additional Information
Required On-Campus Assignment:
Spring Awakening at the Experimental Theatre on the Washington Street Campus. May 1-2, 7-9, 2026, at 7:30PM and May 10, 2026, at 3:00PM. Students need see only one (1) performance of this production. Please visit www.TheatreAC.org for more information about the show, and see the Course Calendar for assignment deadlines above.
Access to Digital Theatre+ for readings and videos needed for Discussion Forums and Tests:
Username: student.amarillocollege
Password: instrument@1913
Syllabus Created on:
03/19/26 3:44 PM
Last Edited on:
03/30/26 3:50 PM