CQUniversity Unit Profile
THTR12125 Comedy and Theatre
Comedy and Theatre
All details in this unit profile for THTR12125 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit you will connect current comedy genres to their original forms. Through an analysis of characters and scenarios in contemporary comedies from stage and screen, you will discover the origins of comedy and how they began. You will explore the key traits of comedy found in today's popular culture and link to stock characters and scenarios from ancient Roman comedies and Commedia dell'Arte. You will explore historical and contemporary forms of comedy and how it has been used in various societies around the world and through the ages as both entertainment and a vehicle for social commentary.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Students who have completed THTR13124 Theatre Studies 3: Mask, Myth and Ritual cannot enrol in this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2021

Mackay
Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Research Assignment
Weighting: 30%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Presentation
Weighting: 40%
4. Peer assessment
Weighting: 10%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Identify key traits of comedy found in contemporary theatre, film and television
  2. Analyse characters and scenarios in current comedy genres and compare to their original theatre forms
  3. Investigate the use of comedy as a vehicle for social commentary
  4. Apply your knowledge of comedic elements to create a short original comedy in audio or video format.

N/A

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Research Assignment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Presentation - 40%
4 - Peer assessment - 10%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Research Assignment - 30%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Presentation - 40%
4 - Peer assessment - 10%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Microsoft Teams
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Linda Lorenza Unit Coordinator
l.lorenza@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 12 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

The play that went wrong

Chapter

Online resources

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 19 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Features of Comedy

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 26 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Slapstick

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 02 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

The three step rule

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Comparing the old and the new Due: Week 4 Monday (2 Aug 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 5 Begin Date: 09 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Commedia dell'Arte

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 16 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 23 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Stock characters

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Proposal Due: Week 6 Monday (23 Aug 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 30 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Circus and clowning

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 06 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Vaudeville

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 13 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Review of content

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

In class and online presentations

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In class and online presentations


Presentation Due: Week 10 Monday (20 Sept 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Peer assessment Due: Week 10 Monday (20 Sept 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 27 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

In class and online presentations

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In class and online presentations

Week 12 Begin Date: 04 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

In class and online presentations

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In class and online presentations

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 18 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Research Assignment

Assessment Title
Comparing the old and the new

Task Description

Compare a contemporary work from stage or screen with the origins of comedy.

This assignment is to be saved as a Word document and submitted online through the course website.
Use 12 point Times New Roman font.
Essays must be double-spaced.
Sub-headings may be used as appropriate.
All excerpts from scripts, diagrams and images should include an in-text reference, and full details included in the Reference List.

Word Count: 1000 words

The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion.
It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices.
It includes in-text references and direct quotations.


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Monday (2 Aug 2021) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 6 Monday (23 Aug 2021)


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

  • Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
  • Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (25%)
  • Detailed discussion on the primary source examples provided (25%)
  • Ability to write clearly and logically (15%)
  • Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out (10%)
  • Correct use of APA style for the in-text referencing and reference list (15%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
submit vis Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify key traits of comedy found in contemporary theatre, film and television
  • Analyse characters and scenarios in current comedy genres and compare to their original theatre forms


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Proposal

Task Description

Proposal pitch for a comedy performance that challenges a social norm.

By exploring contemporary uses of comedy to draw attention to a social issue or behaviour, you will develop your own comic performance.

This assignment is to be saved as a Word document and submitted online through the course website.
Use 12 point Times New Roman font.
Essays must be double-spaced.
Sub-headings may be used as appropriate.
All excerpts from scripts, diagrams and images should include an in-text reference, and full details included in the Reference List.

Word Count: 1000 words

The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion.
It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices.
It includes in-text references and direct quotations.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Monday (23 Aug 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

written proposal


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Monday (30 Aug 2021)


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

  • Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
  • Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (25%)
  • Detailed discussion on the primary source examples provided (25%)
  • Ability to write clearly and logically (15%)
  • Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out (10%)
  • Correct use of APA style for the in-text referencing and reference list (15%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify key traits of comedy found in contemporary theatre, film and television
  • Investigate the use of comedy as a vehicle for social commentary


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

3 Presentation

Assessment Title
Presentation

Task Description

Using your proposal from Assessment 3 create an original comedy, up to 3 minutes, in any format (audio or video) that challenges a social norm.

This may be presented live in class or uploaded as a Youtube clip.

References must be provided for in-text or dialogue quotes and sources used to develop the 3 minute work


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (20 Sept 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

live or pre-recorded presentation


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (18 Oct 2021)


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

  • Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
  • Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the selected issue (20%)
  • Clear selection of comic devices included in the delivery and presentation style to suit the identified audience (10%)
  • Detailed discussion on the primary source examples selected (20%)
  • Ability to communicate clearly and logically through live and/or audio-visual media (10%)
  • Correct use of APA style for the references listed in the final credits and the separate hard copy reference list (10%)
  • Peer Assessment (20%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline Online

Submission Instructions
recorded presentation or reference list for live presentation submitted online via Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Investigate the use of comedy as a vehicle for social commentary
  • Apply your knowledge of comedic elements to create a short original comedy in audio or video format.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

4 Peer assessment

Assessment Title
Peer assessment

Task Description

Students will peer assess each other's presentations in Assessment 3.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (20 Sept 2021) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (18 Oct 2021)


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

Students will respond to each other's presentations through a Likert scale Peer assessment tool in class


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
complete Peer assessment through online tool in Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply your knowledge of comedic elements to create a short original comedy in audio or video format.


Graduate Attributes
  • Critical Thinking

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?