Module Identifier DR31020  
Module Title AMERICAN DRAMA  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
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
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 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.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6