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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 342"
COURSE NAME: "Modern American Drama"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Carlos Dews
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above.
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An in-depth study of American drama of the 20th century. Works by playwrights such as Albee, Mamet, Miller, O’Neill, Williams, Wilson, Wasserstein, Norman, Kushner, or Durang will be analyzed with emphasis on plot, theme, character, structure and technique. The social and philosophical vision of each playwright will receive particular attention. This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 300-level literature classes are required to produce 5-6,000 words of critical writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course will consider the plays of a selection of important playwrights of the 20th century.  This term those playwrights and plays will include:

Susan Glaspell — Trifles 

Lillian Hellman — The Children’s Hour 

Tennessee Williams — A Streetcar Named Desire 

Arthur Miller — Death of a Salesman 

Eugene O’Neill — Long Day’s Journey Into Night 

Lorraine Hansberry — A Raisin in the Sun 

Edward Albee — Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 

Tony Kushner — Angels in America 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students completing this course will be familiar with a selection of significant American plays of the 20th century. 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In-Class Essay 1 20%
In-Class Essay 2 20%
In-Class Essay 3 20%
In-Class Essay 4, Comprehensive 30%
Participation 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings and to participate in all classroom activities. Students are allowed only two absences (no questions asked, no excuse needed). However, each additional absence beyond the two allowed will result in the significant reduction in the final grade for the course. Students with more than five absences will fail the course.  Student arriving at class after the class attendance has been taken will be counted as absent.  Please refer to the JCU catalog for the attendance and absence policies.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

A definitive schedule for the class will be provided at the beginning of the term via Moodle.

Week 1:  Course Introduction.

Week 2: Susan Glaspell — Trifles 

Week 3 and 4: Lillian Hellman — The Children’s Hour.  In-Class Essay 1.

Weeks 5 and 6: Tennessee Williams — A Streetcar Named Desire 

Week 7 and 8: Arthur Miller — Death of a Salesman.  In-Class Essay 2.

Week 9 and 10: Eugene O’Neill — Long Day’s Journey Into Night 

Weeks 11 and 12: Lorraine Hansberry — A Raisin in the Sun.  In-Class Essay 3.

Weeks 13: Edward Albee — Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 

Weeks 14 and 15: Tony Kushner — Angels in America.   In-Class Essay 4.