Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
TP33720
Module Title
Postcolonial Theatre
Academic Year
2013/2014
Co-ordinator
No staff with Userid: TOBA
Semester
Intended for use in future years
Pre-Requisite
Successful completion of Part 1
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 10 x 2 hour Lecture-Seminar-Workshop
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 15-minute oral presentation with reflective documentation  40%
Semester Assessment 60%
Supplementary Assessment Presentation plan with reflective documentation  40%
Supplementary Assessment Essay (3000 words) - (to a new title)  60%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. To display an analytical understanding of cross-cultural theatre and postcolonial theory.

2. To organize and present informed and original arguments reflecting research and independent thought in the subject area of the course.

3. To demonstrate critical awareness of current socio-political debates of the societal, ethic and aesthetic impact of postcolonial theatre in an age of internationalism and globalisation.

4. To co-operate as part of a group in presenting an argument in the analysis of course material.

Aims

This restructured module will be offered as part of a suite of Year 3, 20-credit critical practice options in the Department's revised Part 2 provision. It may be taken by students registered for any of the Theatre Curriculum Group schemes depending on the specification of their degree scheme pathway.

The module aims to examine a selection of non-Western (African, Caribbean, Asia/Pacific) dramatic texts and their performance traditions, and to consider the socio-political implications of theatre and performance in terms of postcolonial independence movements, community development and theatre in education.

Brief description

This is a course of directed reading, video/dvd-based performance analysis and weekly discussions. Students will be challenged to research the interrelations between theatre practice and cultural development as they investigate forms of theatricality and performance ranging from festival, carnival and ritual in their specific socio-historical settings. Among the recurring themes of the module will be the following: theatre and resistance, colonial mimicry as subversive cultural practice, interculturalism and hybridity, theatre and globalisation, imperialism and culture, semiotic and phenomenological analysis of performance and cross-cultural theatre reception.

Content

Provisional schedule of lectures:

1. Introduction: Cross-Cultural Theatre and Postcolonialism

2. Postcolonial Theatre and Yoruba Ritual in Africa

3. Duro Ladipo, Oba Koso

4. Wole Soyinka: Death and the King's Horseman; The Road

5. Township Theatre: Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema, Barney Simon, Woza Albert!

6. Jane Taylor with William Kentridge and the Handspring Puppet Company, Ubu and the Truth Comission

7. Carnival, Folklore and Oral Performance in the Caribbean

8. Derek Walcott: Dream on Monkey Mountain; The Joker of Seville

9. Dennis Scott: An Echo in the Bone

10. Trevor Rhone: Smile Orange; Bella's Gate Boy

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Not developed.
Communication Students' oral and written communication skills will be developed (e.g. appropriate language and style, accuracy, precision and ability to be concise). Opportunities will be given through interactive lecture-demonstration and discussion sessions for students to display confidence in using their speaking and listening skills when communicating their ideas. Students will be required to present an oral report which will be encouraged to make use of audio-visual support as well as verbal communication skills.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be able to develop their skills of information location, bibliographic resources and interdisciplinary research methodology. Students will be given opportunity to expand on their effective note-taking skills. Students will develop the ability to analyze, interpret, evaluate and integrate knowledge and understanding gained from lectures, dramatic texts as well as performance analyses as to encourage new ideas. Students will be given opportunity to design small-scale independent research projects and topics.
Information Technology Students will be given the opportunity to develop their authorial and note-taking skills during lecture-demonstrations and in preparation of the oral and written assignments. Students will be given opportunities to develop their skills using audio-visual resources, electronic databases and retrieval of sources both on the web and on the UWS LIS. Students will develop their skills when referencing from the web and related sources, whilst the ability to evaluate (not describe) and ability to be selective in using these materials are also essential key skills. E-mail and Blackboard will be major forms of communication and information-sharing in this module and students will be given the assignment to actively engage in these processes by contributing their work to the online forum. The Department stipulates that students must present all of their written assignments in type-script and according to MLA-Style Guide. They must acquire basic word-processing skills.
Personal Development and Career planning Students will be given the opportunity to evaluate current knowledge and skills and set targets for self-improvement. Students will be encouraged to take increasing responsibility for managing their own learning. Students will be encouraged to build upon the knowledge gained from lectures through developing skills in self study (supported by the general and specific reading lists and other resources distributed throughout the module.
Problem solving Problem identification and analysis, particularly when exploring theatre and performance research from a comparative cross-cultural perspective. Ability to choose from a variety of related source materials as well as organise and critically assess research material from an interdisciplinary perspective. Skill to evaluate methodological choices and approaches when using interdisciplinary sources.
Research skills Students will be able to develop their skills of information location, bibliographic databases and interdisciplinary research methodology. Students will be given opportunity to expand on their effective note-taking skills. Students will develop the ability to analyse, interpret, evaluate and integrate knowledge and understanding gained from lectures, dramatic text as well as performance analysis as to encourage new ideas. Students will be given opportunity to design small-scale independent research projects and topics.
Subject Specific Skills See QAA Dance, Drama and Performance Subject Benchmark Statement (Version 2007).
Team work Team work will be developed in preparation for the oral presentation as well as through interactive lecture and seminar participation. Group/work and seminar collaboration will empower the student to develop their team-working and leadership skills.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6