| Module Identifier |
DR10120 |
| Module Title |
INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE STUDS 1 |
| Academic Year |
2005/2006 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr Alison Forsyth |
| Semester |
Semester 1 |
| Co-Requisite |
DR10220 |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | x 20 |
| |
Seminars / Tutorials | x 10 |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours For information on due dates for submission of assessed work, please refer
to the departmental web pages at http://www.aber.ac.uk/tfts/duedates.shtml | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Essay 1 (2000 words ) | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Essay 2 (2000 words) | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Class Contribution | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written Essay/Exam. Failed work must be resubmitted or retaken. To rest class contribution the student will be asked to submit a 1500 word essay. | 100% |
|
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students should be able:
to respond analytically to a range of theatrical texts and modes of live performance
to articulate an awareness of relationships between texts, performances and cultural contexts
to demonstrate an understanding of key concepts and methodologies within theatre and performance studies
Brief description
This introductory module covers representative play-texts and performances across a broad chronological timescale (including Ancient, Neo-classical, Renaissance, Restoration, Expressionism, Naturalism, Realism)
Aims
To examine some of the methods and problems of studying theatre and performance
To examine certain key aspects and concepts of Western theatre and performance, in their historical, social and intellectual contexts
To apply these concepts to a series of exemplary dramatic and performance texts
Content
Texts and examples of theatrical and performance practices from the Western theatrical tradition, with particular attention being paid to the following aspects and concepts: the actor; the director; the audience; performance.
Students will be expected to attend at least two compulsory live performances at the Arts Centre. This will entail a cost of not more than 15 pounds. This year's performances are: Macbeth (November 23rd) and The Winter's Tale (December 3rd).
Lecture Schedule
1. Euripides' Medea and Ancient Greek Drama
2. Macbeth and Shakespearean Tragedy
3. Racine and Phaedre
4. Restoration Theatre and The Relapse
5. Buchner's Woyzeck
6. Naturalism and Realism
7. Jarry's Ubu Roi and the Avant-Garde
8. Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard
9. Shakespeare's Voice and The Winter's Tale
10. Shaw's Heartbreak House
Module Skills
| Research skills |
Students will demonstrate the results of individual research in the form of essays, examinations and oral contribution.
|
| Communication |
Communication skills will be developed in seminar sessions. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance |
Students will receive feedback on written assignments. |
| Information Technology |
IT and information handling skills will be demonstrated through students individual research (library and web) and through written work (word processing).
|
| Personal Development and Career planning |
Students will have the opportunity to explore specific areas which reflect and strengthen their individual career needs
|
| Subject Specific Skills |
Students are encouraged to develop the use of critical and analytical vocabulary in their written and oral response to representative examples from the canon of Western drama (text and performance). Upon completion students should be able to:
to respond analytically to a range of theatrical texts and modes of live performance
to articulate an awareness of relationships between texts, performances and cultural contexts
to demonstrate an understanding of key concepts and methodologies within theatre studies and Western Drama.
|
Reading Lists
Books
** Essential Reading
Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard
Penguin
Racine, Phaedra
Nick Hern Edition
Buchner Woyzeck
Nick Hern Edition
Jarry, (1968) Ubu Roi
Methuen World Classics, translated by Cyril Connolly)
Shakespeare The Winter's Tale
(Arden)
The Reader (available from Departmental Office)
Kliman,B., Shakespeare in Performance:Macbeth
Manchester University Press
Shaw Heartbreak House
Penguin
Euripides (1996) Medea
Penguin, translated by John Davie
Vanbrugh John Vanbrugh: The Relapse (Oxford English Drama Series)
Oxford English Drama Series
Shakespeare Macbeth
(Arden)
** Recommended Background
Stanislavski, An Actor Prepares
Stanislavski, Building a Character
Bate and Jackson, (2001) The Oxford Illustrated History of Shakespeare on Stage
(Oxford)
Wallis and Shepherd, (1998) Studying Plays
(Arnold)
Brook, P (1990) The Empty Space
(Penguin)
Barton, J (1984) Playing Shakespeare
(Methuen)
Walton, M (1998) The Greek Sense of Theatre: Tragedy Reviewed
(Methuen)
Styan, J L Restoration Comedy in Performance
(Cambridge)
Styan, J L Modern Drama in Theory and Practice - Volumes 1,2, and 3
(Cambridge)
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4