THS4001 Modern Theatre: Theory and Practice

THS	4001	66598	2, 2007	ONC	Modern Theatre: Theory and Practice	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOART
Academic org:	FOA005
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	100103

Staffing
Requisites
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Bernadette Pryde
Moderator: Janet McDonald

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BAHN or BTAH

RATIONALE

A study of the major theoreticians and practitioners of modern drama and theatre contributes to an understanding of current directions and discourse in the area.

SYNOPSIS

A study of the major theoreticians and practitioners of modern drama and theatre contributes to an understanding of current directions and discourse in the area. The relationship between theory and practice in modern theatre has been a dynamic one. Practice has given rise to a range of theories about the cultural and social significance of drama and theories about the nature of dramatic structure, performance and production. Theory has preceded or accompanied major changes in the presentation of dramatic forms and their cultural and social consequences. The exploration of this relationship leads to an understanding of how both theory and practice have contributed to an understanding and articulation of theatre in varying contexts.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will have:

an advanced understanding of contemporary theatre and performance (All assessment items refer);
an appreciation of stylistic variations evident in contemporary performance practices (All assessment items refer);
an ability to apply theory to theatrical performance and to demonstrate understanding of a variety of performance theories (All assessment items refer);
an understanding of how theatre practice informs theory in modern theatre (Assessment items 1, 2 and 3 refer).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Topics for seminar discussion will incorporate a range of developments in contemporary theatre and performance. These will include consideration of both theoretical and practical issues as well as the relationship between dominant theatrical forms and emerging, post-colonial developments.	100.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Carlson, M 2004, Performance: a critical introduction, 2nd edn, Routledge, London.

Drain, R (ed) 1994, Twentieth century theatre: a sourcebook, Routledge, New York.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Aston, E & Savona, G 1991, Theatre as sign system, Routledge, London.

Bennett, S 1998, Theatre audiences: a theory of production and reception, 2nd edn, Routledge, London.

Bentley, E 1992, The theory of the modern stage, Penguin, London.
(revised edn)

Blau, H 1992, To all appearances, Routledge, New York.

Boal, A 1979, The theatre of the oppressed, Pluto, London.

Braun, E 1979, The theatre of Meyerhold: revolution on the modern stage, Drama Book Specialists, New York.

Brook, P 1989, The shifting point: 40 years of theatrical exploration 1946-87, Methuen, London.

Carlson, M 1993, Theories of the theatre, Cornell University Press, Ithaca.
(Expanded edition)

Case, S E (ed) 1990, Performing feminisms, John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

Heilpern, J 1989, The conference of the birds, Methuen, London.
(Revised edition)

Helbo, A et al 1991, Approaching theatre, Indiana University Press, Indianapolis.

Knapp, B 1980, Antonin Artaud: man of vision, Swallow, Athens.

Pavis, P 1992, Theatre at the crossroads of culture, Routledge, London.

Reinelt, J G & Roach, J 1992, Critical theory and performance, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.

Schechner, R 1988, Performance theory, Routledge, New York.

Selbourne, D 1982, The making of a Midsummer Night's Dream, Methuen, London.

Suzuki, T 1986, The way of acting, Theatre Communications Group, New York.
(trans. J Thomas Rimer)

Turner, V 1988, The anthropology of performance, PAJ Publications, New York.

Willett, J 1978, The theatre of Erwin Piscator: half a century of politics in the theatre, Eyre Methuen, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Lectures	2.00
Private Study	137.00
Seminars	26.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
FIRST SEMINAR PAPER	100.00	30.00	24 Jul 2006	(see note 1)
SECOND SEMINAR PAPER	100.00	30.00	24 Jul 2006	(see note 2)
ASSIGNMENT	100.00	40.00	24 Jul 2006	(see note 3)

NOTES

1.: NB: NEW ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: All Faculty of Arts written assignments must be lodged in the Faculty Assessment Area on the Ground Floor of Q Block no later than 12 noon on the due date. Further details about the due dates are provided to students at the first class meeting of the term.
2.: Further details about the due dates are provided to students at the first class meeting of the term.
3.: Further details about the due dates are provided to students at the first class meeting of the term.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one 2 hour tutorial per week.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no exam for this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

(a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must lodge the assignment at the USQ. (b) All Faculty of Arts assignments must be lodged in the Faculty Assessment Centre on the Ground Floor of Q Block no later than 12 noon on the due date. (c) Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if requested by the Examiner. (d) In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances such as documented ill-health. (e) Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of the course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM Incomplete-Makeup). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study. (f) Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or sit for an examination at the scheduled time, may apply to defer an assessment in the course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.