The module will run chronologically beginning with a selection from the comedy and horror of the fifteenth century 'mystery plays' and continuing with the sometimes rude and often ranting 'moral plays' of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In seminars, we will examine, in detail, a selection of plays; also some writings concerned with their censorship; some contemporary pictures of dramatic scenes from early books, wall paintings and church windows; and the songs and other music important for the performance of this literature. We will investigate the cultural, social and political contexts of this drama. In the seminars, you will also be encouraged to experiment with performance and so develop an awareness of the different ways of staging the plays in the past as well as exploring the possibilities for modern adaptations
Problem_solving |
Developing evaluative analysis and critical skills in an extended argument |
Research skills |
Developing independent study through seminar preparation, research for written assessment, and project research |
Communication |
Written communication in essay. Spoken communication in seminar discussion. Oral performance in oral assessment |
Improving own Learning and Performance |
Development of time-management skills through independent reading and research |
Team work |
Group and small group discussions in seminars
Group work in assessed project
|
Personal Development and Career planning |
Critical self-reflection and development of transferable communication and research skills |
Subject Specific Skills |
Detailed analysis of literary text in writing and discussion; evaluation of approaches to literary text in relation to cultural, social, political, theoretical contexts |