Module Information

Module Identifier
TP20820
Module Title
Theatre and Contemporary Society
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Successful completion of Part 1
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Essay  2000 Words  50%
Semester Assessment Project Proposal  2000 Words  50%
Supplementary Assessment Essay  2000 Words  50%
Supplementary Assessment Project Proposal  2000 Words  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate an awareness of the different ways in which theatre manifests social debate.

Demonstrate an ability to summarise and synthesise multiple critical texts, and be able to evaluate their application to creative practises.

Demonstrate an awareness of the political implications of analytical positions in relation to performance practice.

Demonstrate an understanding of the various interpretations and descriptions of society, as defined by both performance and theoretical texts.

Brief description

This is a course of directed readings and weekly discussions, focusing on texts by both performance as well as cultural scholars in order to look at a breadth of contemporary performance practices. By considering a different thematic topic each week, the module will examine the various ways in which theatre exists in relation to wider society, and how performance practices can reflect, illuminate, and also critique those relationships.

Aims

This restructured module will be offered as part of a suite of Year 2, 20-credit critical practice options in the Department's revised Part 2 provision. It may be taken by students registered for any of the Theatre Curriculum Group schemes depending on the specification of their degree scheme pathway.

Content

Indicative Course Content:

Week One: Introduction: People, Places, and Things

Part One: PEOPLE
Week Two: The Amateur
Week Three: The Gendered Body
Week Four: The Racial Body

Part Two: PLACES
Week Five: Nation
Week Six: Borders
Week Seven: Environment and Ecology

Part Three: THINGS
Week Eight: Trauma
Week Nine: Agency
Week Ten: Hope and Utopias

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number This element is not assessed
Communication The ability to communicate ideas effectively in written form is directly assessed. The work done in seminars develops oral communication skills although this is not directly assessed.
Improving own Learning and Performance Self-regulation, motivation and time-management skills are developed through the module and are demanded for the successful completion of its assignments. These skills are directly assessed through all assignments
Information Technology The ability to utilize information technology both in the research for and delivery of assignment is assessed directly in Assessments 1 and 2
Personal Development and Career planning Transferable skills (managing personal workloads and meeting deadlines, designing and realising research project) are developed through the completion of the assessment tasks. Career's awareness does not of itself constitute an assessed element of this module, however
Problem solving Analytical problem solving, outcome recognition and the identification of appropriate strategies and procedures are encouraged and assessed
Research skills Appropriate personal research and the development of effective personal research practices are directly assessed through both written assignments.
Subject Specific Skills See QAA Dance, Drama and Performance Subject Benchmark Statement (Version 2007). The following subject specific skills are developed and partly assessed: 1. Describing, theorising, interpreting and evaluating performance texts and performance events from a range of critical perspectives 2. Developing skills of observation and visual, aural and spatial awareness 3. Engaging in research, whether independent, group or performance-based 4. Identifying and interpreting the cultural frameworks which surround performance events and on which these events impinge, and taking these into account in creating and/or interpreting performances. Making records of performance, using skills in notation and/or documentation.
Team work Effective group work through negotiating ideas and opinions is addressed through the seminars. Seminar discussions demand the application of skills necessary to conduct collaborative activity.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5