Module Identifier DRM0210  
Module Title PERFORMANCE THEORY  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Professor Richard Gough  
Semester Semester 1  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Essay 2,500 words  100%
Further details 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  

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
thoroughly understand the complex relationship of performance and drama and theatre.

understand and critically apply the complex terminology associated with performance.

critically address the issue of the purpose of performance in today's world.

add their own cogent views to the topical debate on performance.

Aims

-To develop an understanding of performance in relation to drama, and theatre.
-To develop methodology and vocabulary relating to relevant theories of performance.
-To develop a thorough discourse of critique performance.
-To provide a framework for assessing performance artists' practice.

Content

Text-based theatre, the object of study in the Introductory Module of all MA schemes offered in the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies, has been complemented, over the last half of this century, by an increasing emphasis on non-text-based performance, which, in turn, is not limited to the theatre. Performance requires a different set of criteria for discussion, and these have been proposed in performance theory. The module will introduce students to principles of performance, forms of performance (genres, rehearsal, and production and presentation), and issues of documenting and criticising performance.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
CPR Resources, viewings of Contemporary Avant-Garde, Performance Art Installation Work, Non-western Material
** Recommended Background
Auslander, Philip From Acting to Performance Routledge
Diamond, Elin Performance and Cultural Politics Routledge
Gimblet, Barbara K. Destination Culture University of California Press
Goldberg, Roselee Performance: Live art since the 60s Thames and Hudson
Gomez-Penna, Guillermo Dangerous Border Crossers Routledge
Phelan, Peggy (Ed) The ends of Performance NYU
Schechner, Richard Performance Theory

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7