DR30420 - MODERN EUROPEAN DRAMA

Module Identifier

DR30420

Module Title

MODERN EUROPEAN DRAMA

Academic Year

2005/2006

Co-ordinator

Dr Karoline Gritzner

Semester

Semester 1

Other staff

Dr Daniel Dinkgräfe, Ms Patricia A Rhodes

Pre-Requisite

Successful completion of Part 1 Drama.

Course delivery

Lecture

20 x 1 hour

Seminars / Tutorials

10 x 1 hour

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Essay 1 Essay of 2,000 words	25%
Semester Assessment	Essay 2 Essay of 2,000 words	25%
Semester Exam	Timed Essay (2-hour exam)	40%
Semester Assessment	2 Hours Class Contribution	10%
Supplementary Exam	2 hours resit of the exam to a new paper	40%

Learning outcomes

Typically, upon completion of this module a student will be able to:

demonstrate knowledge of the relation between their reading and viewing of modernist theatre texts of the period covered in the module (late 19th century to mid 20th century) to broader historical developments of performance modes (Realism, Expressionism, Epic Theatre, etc.).
participate knowledgeably in debates (written and oral) about the relationship between theatrical theory and practice.
critically read dramatic texts as indicators of complex theatrical events.

Brief description

This module focuses on a selection of 19th and 20th century European theatre texts in order to examine a variety of performance modes, theatre practices and dramatic theories.

Aims

To introduce students to significant developments in theatrical theory and practice in Europe from the onset of realism to the 1960s.
To develop appropriate methods of analysing specific texts, chosen because they manifest significant differences in theatrical method.
To examine how drama serves as a means of mediating the social discourse of a given time.

Content

GOGOL, The Government Inspector
IBSEN, Hedda Gabler
CHEKHOV, Uncle Vanya
STRINDBERG, A Dream Play
PIRANDELLO, Six Characters in Search of an Author
BRECHT, Galileo
WEISS, Marat/Sade
GENET, The Balcony
FLATOW, Der Mann, der sich nicht traut... (Happy Wedding)

Module Skills

Problem_solving	NOT DEVELOPED
Research skills	Students will demonstrate the results of individual research in the form of essays and in an exam situation.
Communication	Communication skills will be developed in seminar sessions (class contribution).
Improving own Learning and Performance	Students will receive feedback on class contribution and written assignments.
Team work	Group discussions in seminars will develop group work skills.
Information Technology	IT and information handling skills will be demonstrated in students¿ individual research (library and web-based) and in their written work (word processing).
Application of Number	NOT DEVELOPED
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 a critical and analytical vocabulary in their written and oral response to the module contents.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
GOGOL, Nikolai The Government Inspector
IBSEN, Henrik Hedda Gabler
CHEKHOV, Anton Uncle Vanya
STRINDBERG, August A Dream Play
BRECHT, Bertolt Galileo
WEISS, Peter Marat/Sade
GENET, Jean The Balcony
FLATLOW, Curth Der Mann, der sich nicht traut... (Happy Wedding)
PIRANDELLO, Luigi Six Characters in Search of an Author
** Recommended Background
Pfister (1988) The Theory and Analysis of Drama
Elam, K (1983) The Semiotics of Theatre and Drama
Pavis, P (1982) Languages of the Stage
Meyer-Dinkgräfe, Daniel (2005) Boulevard Comedy Theatre in Germany London: Cambridge Scholars Press
Dukore, B.F. (1974) Drama Theory and Criticism
Szondi, P (1965) The Theory of Modern Drama (trans. M. Hayes 1987)

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6