EN2D8-30 European Theatre
Introductory description
N/A
Module aims
- To introduce a range of major plays from the European dramatic tradition, concentrating on classical tragedy, seventeenth-century tragedy and comedy, metatheatre, Naturalism, and on conflicting twentieth-century concepts of dramatic ideology and form.
- To study plays in their historical context and as texts for performance, which involves reference to the original staging conventions and to modern productions. Where possible, plays are studied in performance – on stage or on the screen.
- To explore changing theatrical representations of class and gender.
- To consider the relationship between dramatic form, intellectual debate and cultural conditions, as reflected in the plays and theatrical periods in question.
- To introduce students to a number of theories of the drama, with reference to their practical application in playtexts and production.
- To consider the uses dramatists have made of existing genres and traditions.
- To develop students’ ability to analyze dramatic texts both as literature and as texts for performance.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Term 1
Week 1 Introduction
Week 2 Aeschylus, The Oresteia
Week 3 Sophocles, Oedipus the King
Week 4 Sophocles, Antigone
Week 5 Euripides, The Bacchae
Week 6 Reading week
Week 7 Kyd, The Spanish Tragedy
Week 8 Calderon, Life’s a Dream
Week 9 Moliere, Tartuffe
Week 10 Racine, Phèdre
Term 2
Week 1 Ibsen, Hedda Gabler
Week 2 Chekhov, The Seagull
Week 3 Strindberg, Miss Julie
Week 4 Wedekind, Spring's Awakening
Week 5 Brecht, Life of Galileo
Week 6 Reading week
Week 7 Lorca, Yerma
Week 8 Beckett, Endgame
Week 9 Churchill, The Skriker
Week 10 Crimp, Attempts on Her Life
Term 3
Week 1 Reviewing European Theatre: revision lecture and seminars
Week 2 Revision seminars
Week 3 Revision seminars
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of several major trends in European theatre and of the work of historically-significant playwrights
- Articulate a sense of the expressive possibilities of different dramatic languages: for example, poetic rhetoric, naturalistic dialogue, the choric voice, subtext, mise en scene, movement
- Demonstrate some familiarity with key theoretical debates, including Aristotle, Stanislavski and Brecht
- Develop skills in reading dramatic texts
- Develop argumentative skills in academic essays
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Subject specific skills
-Demonstrate a broad understanding of several major trends in European theatre and of the work of historically-significant playwrights
-Articulate a sense of the expressive possibilities of different dramatic languages: for example, poetic rhetoric, naturalistic dialogue, the choric voice, subtext, mise en scene, movement
-Demonstrate some familiarity with key theoretical debates, including Aristotle, Stanislavski and Brecht
-Develop skills in reading dramatic texts
Transferable skills
-Develop argumentative skills in academic essays
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Seminars | 18 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (9%) |
| Other activity | 4 hours 30 minutes (1%) |
| Private study | 250 hours 30 minutes (83%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Reading & research.
Other activity description
Revision sessions.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Assessed essay | 50% | Yes (extension) | |
|
1 x 3,500-word essay |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Assessed Essay OR Creative Project with 1800 word essay | 50% | Yes (extension) | |
|
EITHER 1 x 3,500-word essay OR 1 x creative project with supporting essay of 1,800 words |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Written feedback
Courses
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 2 of UENA-QP36 Undergraduate English Literature and Creative Writing
- Year 2 of UTHA-QW34 Undergraduate English and Theatre Studies
This module is Optional for:
- Year 2 of UENA-Q300 Undergraduate English Literature
- Year 2 of UENA-QP36 Undergraduate English Literature and Creative Writing
- Year 2 of UENA-VQ32 Undergraduate English and History
- Year 2 of UFIA-QW25 Undergraduate Film and Literature
This module is Option list C for:
- Year 2 of UCXA-QQ37 Undergraduate Classics and English
This module is Option list D for:
- Year 2 of UPHA-VQ72 Undergraduate Philosophy and Literature