THS4001 Modern Theatre: Theory and Practice

Contents

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

STAFFING

REQUISITES

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:

1. an advanced understanding of contemporary theatre and performance;
2. an appreciation of stylistic variations evident in contemporary performance practices;
3. an ability to apply theory to theatrical performance and to demonstrate understanding of a variety of performance theories;
4. an understanding of how theatre practice informs theory in modern theatre.

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).

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

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Further details about the due dates are provided to students at the first class meeting of the term. This assessment item is aligned with Objectives 1-4.

2.

Further details about the due dates are provided to students at the first class meeting of the term. This assessment item is aligned with Objectives 1-4.

3.

Further details about the due dates are provided to students at the first class meeting of the term. This assessment item is aligned with Objectives 1-4.

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 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:
   There is no exam for this course.
7. 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.
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 27 May 2008.