Module Identifier DR31020  
Module Title AMERICAN DRAMA  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Co-ordinator Hazel A Davies  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Pre-Requisite DR10120 , DR10220 or relevant Part II American Studies modules.  
Course delivery Lecture   10 Hours 10 x 1 hour lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   10 Hours 10 x 1 hour seminars  
Assessment Semester Exam   2 Hours   55%  
  Semester Assessment   Essay: 2,500 words   35%  
  Semester Assessment   Seminar Presentation:   10%  

Aims

- To study 20th century American drama in its historical, social, political and theatrical context.
- To examine the original staging conventions for selected texts and the audiences' response to them.
- To evaluate, discuss and compare `mainstream' theatre and alternative theatre practices in America, and assess their contribution to world theatre.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
O'Neill, Eugene. Long Days Journey into Night and Mourning Becomes Electra. Jonathan Cape
Williams, Tennessee. The Glass Menagerie and Streetcar Named Desire. Penguin or Methuen
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman and The Crucible. Penguin or Methuen
Albee, Edward. The American Dream, The Zoo Story and Who?s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
Shepard, Sam. True West, Buried Child and Curse of the Starving Class.
Mamet, David. American Buffalo and Oleanna.
** Recommended Text
Berkowitz, Gerald M. (1992) American Drama of the Twentieth Century. London
Bigsby, C.W.E.. A Critical Introduction to Twentieth-Century American Drama Vols. 1-3. Cambridge, 1982, 1984, 1985
Bogard, T., Moody, R., Meserve, J., (eds.). (1977) The Revels History of Drama in English, Vol 8, `American Drama?. London
Brown, J.R., Harris, B., (eds.). Stratford-upon-Avon Studies 10 `American Theatre?.
Murphy, B.. (1987) American Realism and American Drama 1880 -1940. Cambridge
Parker, D., (ed.). (1987) Essays on Modern American Drama. Toronto
Weales, Gerald. (1962) American Drama Since World War II. N.Y.