THS2008 Modern Theatre and Drama

Contents

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

STAFFING

REQUISITES

SYNOPSIS

The study of dramatic texts and performance practices provides insights into human experiences and locates these experiences in the context of social history. This course examines the rise of modern theatre and drama, placing it in its socio-political context. It also provides a study of a number of representative plays, both as texts to be read and, where possible, as performances. The plays are considered in terms of the dramatic movements they exemplify. Areas of study include: the Restoration, French Neoclassicism, popular theatre and melodrama, rise of realism/naturalism, anti-realist theatre, and late 20th century theatrical experimentation.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will have:

1. the ability to understand and to respond critically to modern drama, as text and in performance;
2. an understanding of different modes of dramatic presentation and be able to make informed connections between the differing twentieth century dramatic aesthetics;
3. developed communicative and analytical skills through written papers and tutorial discussion;
4. a detailed knowledge of specific dramatic texts and performance practices drawn from the period.

TOPICS

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).

Dampier, A & Walch, G 1985, Robbery under arms, Currency Press, Sydney.

Ibsen, H trans U Ellis-Fermor 1973, Hedda Gabler and other plays, Penguin, Middlesex.

Worthen, WB (ed) 2004, The Wadsworth anthology of drama, 4th edn, Thomson Wadsworth, Boston, Mass.

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.

Bennett, Susan 1998, Theatre audiences, 2nd edn, Routledge, London.

Braun, Edward 1982, The director and the stage, Methuen, London.

Brecht, Bertolt 1978, Brecht on theatre, 2nd edn, Methuen, London.

Brockett, O 1999, History of the theatre, 8th edn, Allyn & Bacon, Boston.

Brook, Peter 1972, The empty space, Penguin, Middlesex.

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

Case, Sue-Ellen 1988, Feminism and theatre, MacMillan, London.

Dukore, BF 1974, Dramatic theory and criticism: Greeks to Grotowski, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York.

Esslin, Martin 1974, The theatre of the absurd, 3rd edn, Methuen, London.

Innes, Christopher 1993, Avant garde theatre 1892-1992, Routledge, London and New York.

Jones, David Richard 1986, Great directors at work: Stanislavsky, Brecht, Kazan, Brook, University of California Press, Los Angeles.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Quizzes are ongoing throughout the semester. This assessment item is aligned with Objectives 1, 2 and 3.

2.

This assessment item is aligned with Objectives 1, 2 and 3.

3.

This assessment item is aligned with Objectives 1, 2 and 3.

4.

Students will be advised of the official examination date after the timetable has been finalised. This assessment item is aligned with Objectives 2 and 4.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. 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 lecture and one 1 hour tutorial per week.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. 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.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   The exam for this course is a RESTRICTED examination, and the only materials that candidates may use are writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination.) Students whose first language is not English may take an appropriate unmarked non-electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. 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

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 18 Jul 2008.