THS2005 Australian Theatre and Drama (FOART)

Units 1.0 (Drama and Theatre Studies) Band 1

Pre-requisite: THS2000

Synopsis

This course is structured to survey the multi-faceted nature and the development of Australian drama and theatre since the beginning of white settlement. Historically, the course will focus on the drama and theatre of the mid to the late 20th century, but will refer to earlier times in tracing the development of a recurring theme in Australian drama, that of identity. The course commences with an overview of Australian theatre at the beginning of the 21st century and an exploration of a contemporary play. In subsequent modules, students will be introduced to some of the earlier social, political, economic and artistic elements and key writers who have shaped Australian drama and its theatre. The course attempts to represent a diversity of "voices" in Australian drama, and will draw upon plays, reviews and other secondary materials to explore various relevant socio-political and economic issues as they relate to identification. Within this exploration, the performative possibilities of the plays will be emphasised.