'High school drama,' a proposal for an integrated curriculum for school violence and bullying prevention

This paper will explore how a new curriculum that utilizes theater to explore multiple disciplines, will offer public high school students a more effective understanding of the historical and social contexts involved in school bullying and violence. Implementing this curriculum enables students to explore the effects of bullying, violence, and preventative methods from the perspective of multiple disciplines; answering the essential questions of why do we bully and how can we prevent it? This curriculum offers the opportunity to study all aspects of school violence/bullying as well as learn the methods used in designing, acting, and producing a theatrical event. This thesis analyzes the history of school violence and examines the current literature and research on school violence and bullying curricula. Additionally, I offer a comparison between existing structures and this integrated curriculum using theater education as an alternative to what is currently in place.