Introductory description

N/A

Module web page

Module aims

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.

Week
1 Introduction: The crisis of Modern Theatre and the Development of Brecht’s episches Theater
2 Walter Benjamin: ‘Was ist das epische Theater?’ & ‘Der Autor als Produzent’
3 The Lehrstück: Die Maßnahme
4 Theatre of Class War: Die heilige Johanna der Schlachthöfe
5 Theatre of Class War: Die heilige Johanna der Schlachthöfe
6 Reading week
7 Epic Theatre in exile: Mutter Courage
8 Epic Theatre in exile: Mutter Courage
9 Epic Theatre in the GDR: Der kaukasische Kreidekreis
10 Kleines Organon für das Theater

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Subject knowledge and Understanding: By the end of the module the student should be able to: critically assess the development of the formal aspects of Becht’s Epic Theatre, ...place Brecht’s theatre in its socio-historical context, ... critically assess Brecht’s contribution to theatre theory and practice through engagement with secondary sources.
• Key Skills: Written and oral communication skills, Problem-solving, Independent learning ,Modern foreign language
• Cognitive Skills: Ability to abstract and synthesise key information from written sources. Ability to organize, present and defend ideas within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument orally and in writing. Ability to formulate an argument with reference to established interpretations. Ability to analyse critically a range of materials.
• Subject Specific Skills: Ability to conduct independent research using library, bibliographic resources and ICT skills. Ability to engage critically with a variety of theoretical approaches and interpretations. Command of German

Indicative reading list

Walter Benjamin, 'Was ist das epische Theater', 'Der Autor als Produzent'
Bertolt Brecht, Die Massnahme
Bertolt Brecht, Die heilige Johanna der Schlachthöfe
Bertolt Brecht, Mutter Courage
Bertolt Brecht, Der kaukasische Kreidekreis
Bertolt Brecht, Kleines Organon für das Theater

View reading list on Talis Aspire

International

All modules delivered in SMLC are necessarily international. Students engage with themes and ideas from a culture other than that of the UK and employ their linguistic skills in the analysis of primary materials from a non-Anglophone context. Students will also be encouraged to draw on the experiences of visiting exchange students in the classroom and will frequently engage with theoretical and critical frameworks from across the world.

Subject specific skills

This module will develop students’ linguistic skills through engaging with primary materials in the target language. It will build students’ capacity to engage with aspects of German culture through analysis of this primary material and through seminar discussion aimed at deeper critical thinking. In particular, students’ awareness of Bertolt Brecht will be enhanced through lectures and seminars which engage in scholarship in the field.

Transferable skills

All SMLC culture modules demand critical and analytical engagement with artefacts from target-language cultures. In the course of independent study, class work and assessment students will develop the following skills: written and oral communication, creative and critical thinking, problem solving and analysis, time management and organisation, independent research in both English and their target language(s), intercultural understanding and the ability to mediate between languages and cultures, ICT literacy in both English and the target language(s), personal responsibility and the exercise of initiative.