Module Identifier DR31120  
Module Title CONTEMPORARY BRITISH AND IRISH DRAMA  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Co-ordinator Dr David I Rabey  
Semester Semester 2  
Pre-Requisite DR10120 , DR10220  
Course delivery Lecture   10 Hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   20 Hours  
Assessment Semester Exam   2 Hours   55%  
  Semester Assessment   Essay: 2,500 words   35%  
  Semester Assessment   Seminar Presentation:   10%  

Aims

- To examine a selection of contemporary British and Irish texts.
- To consider theatrical problems and consequences of previous and possible productions.

Learning Outcomes:

Typically, upon completion of this module students should be able:

- To shown an analytical understanding of a range of dramatic texts and production issues.
- To organise informed and original arguments reflecting research and independent thought in the subject area of the course.
- To demonstrate an intelligent awareness of current debates about the social purpose of drama during the period under review.
- To co-operate as part of a group in presenting an argument in the analysis of course material.

Content:

A course of directed reading and weekly discussion, moving through waters imperfectly navigated by most of the existing literary criticism which ostensibly relates to it.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
O'Rowe, Mark. Howie the Rookie. Nick Hern Books
Ravenhill, Mark. Shopping and F###ing. Methuen
Rudkin, David. The Saxon Shore. Copies available from the department
Thomas, Edward. Gas Station Angel. Methuen
Wertenbaker, Timberlake. Plays: 1. Faber
Barker, Howard. Collected Plays 5. Calder
Barnes, Peter. Dreaming. Methuen
Bond, Edward. Lear. Methuen
Jones, Marie. Stones in his Pockets. Nick Hern Books
Friel, Brian. Translations. Faber
Cartwright, Jim. I Licked a Slag's Deodorant. Copies available from the Department
Churchill, Caryl. The Skriker. Nick Hern Books
Kane, Sarah. Complete Plays. Methuen
Marber, Patrick. Closer. Nick Hern Books
** Recommended Background
Barker, Howard. (1997) Arguments for a Theatre (3rd ed.).
Davies, Hazel Walford (ed.). (1988) State of Play: 4 Playwrights of Wales.
Demastes, William W. (ed.). (1996) British Playwrights 1956 - 1995: A Research and Production Sourcebook.
Rabey, David Ian. (1989) Howard Barker: Politics and Desire.
Rabey, David Ian. (1994) 'The Bite of Exiled Love: Abjective Protagonists in Some Contemporary Anglo-Irish Dramas', in Essays in Theatre, 13, No. 1, Nov. 1994 29 - 44.
Rabey, David Ian. (1997) David Rudkin: Sacred Disobedience.
Rabey, David Ian. (2002) English Drama Since 1940. Longman
Shank, Theodore (ed.). (1995) Modern British Theatre.
Sierz, Aleks. (2000) In-Yer Face Theatre. Faber