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Theatre Texts & Contexts - TFT00002I

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Rebecca Benzie
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module is designed to introduce you, practically and theoretically, to a range of case studies within the context of a particular theatre or performance tradition or style (e.g. feminist theatres, site-specific practices, physical theatre, monologue plays etc). It will equip you to work with deep knowledge and understanding of the given tradition/style across performative and analytical contexts, and will enable you to apply these skills to your ongoing work at the intersections of text and performance.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

The module aims:

  • to explore the generic, cultural and historical diversity of performance styles via a series of case-studies of contrasted moments of high achievement in a particular mode (e.g. feminist theatres, site-specific practices, physical theatre, monologue plays etc).
  • to assist you to develop the analytical techniques apt to the investigation of the scripts and performances relevant to the performance style(s) and/or tradition(s) under investigation, and the notational skills needed to analyse the techniques, vocal and physical, of relevant performers and performance makers.
  • to conduct practical experiments testing and illuminating the performance potentiality of scripts and performances relevant to the performance style(s) and/or tradition(s) under investigation

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, you should expect:

  • to have acquired knowledge of the generic, cultural and historical diversity of the performance style(s) and/or tradition(s) under investigation.
  • to have gained skills appropriate to the analysis of relevant scripts and performances, in historical and contemporary contexts, and via discursive and written avenues.
  • to have had experience of ambitious practical work on demanding scripts and performances.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 75
Practical
Group Performance and viva		 N/A 25

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formative essay-related task (Week 6); formative group performance and viva in Week 9 or 10.

*For summative assessments, students will lose 3 marks per workshop, seminar or practical missed for this module.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 75
Practical
Solo Performance and Viva		 N/A 25

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

You will receive written feedback on all assessments and reassessments. This will happen in a formative manner in practical workshops and seminars, and in a summative manner in feedback sheets on practical assessment and written tasks.

Indicative reading

For a sample module on British feminist theatre traditions, an indicative bibliography could include:

Plays

Mojisola Adebayo

Moira Buffini

Caryl Churchill,

Sarah Daniels,

Andrea Dunbar,

Gay Sweatshop

Theoretical material

Elaine Aston and Gerry Harris, (2012) A Good Night Out For The Girls

Sue-Ellen Case, (2008) Feminism and Theatre

Sharon Carnicke, (2008) Stanislavsky in Action

Jill Dolan, (1988)The Feminist Spectator as Critic

Jill Dolan, (2013) The Feminist Spectator in Action

Penny Farfan and Lesley Ferris (eds.), (2014) Contemporary Women Playwrights: Into the Twenty-First Century

Lizbeth Goodman, (1993) Contemporary Feminist Theatres

Emer O’Toole, (2015) Girls Will Be Girls

Kim Solga, (2016) Feminism & Theatre


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.