TH141-4-FY-CO:
Introduction to Theatre Studies

The details
2023/24
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 28 June 2024
30
29 June 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

LT227, TH142, TH241

Key module for

BA W401 Drama,
BA W402 Drama (Including Year Abroad),
BA W403 Drama (Including Placement Year),
BA W408 Drama (Including Foundation Year),
BA QW24 Drama and Literature,
BA QW25 Drama and Literature (Including Placement Year),
BA WQ28 Drama and Literature (Including Foundation Year),
BA WQ42 Drama and Literature (Including Year Abroad),
BA P400 Film and Drama,
BA P401 Film and Drama (Including Year Abroad),
BA P402 Film and Drama (Including Placement Year),
BA P403 Film and Drama (Including Foundation Year),
MLITQ394 Drama and Scriptwriting,
BA V114 History and Drama,
BA V115 History and Drama (including Foundation Year),
BA V116 History and Drama (including Placement Year),
BA V117 History and Drama (including Year Abroad),
BA WW80 Drama and Creative Writing,
BA WW81 Drama and Creative Writing (Including Foundation Year),
BA WW82 Drama and Creative Writing (including Placement Year),
BA WW83 Drama and Creative Writing (including Year Abroad)

Module description

This module introduces students to key texts and ideas in theatre studies. All sessions involve a practical workshop in which we will investigate how theatre explores ideas in practice.

During the autumn term, we will look at a range of plays to see how different writers and theatre practitioners have developed a range of theatrical forms and styles. We look at plays from 5th century BCE Athens to the present day. These texts will form the basis for discussion and exploration of topics such as genre, representation, narrative structures, theatricality, characterization, gender, (dis)ability, and race.

During the Spring Term we look at various ways of approaching and analysing theatre. Units on theatre history and biography are matched by explorations of concepts such as the audience, time, space, genre, performativity and theatre as social protest.

During the summer term, there is a one week intensive, which consists of training and practical workshops led by a professional theatre director. Students will work in groups towards an assessed practical piece of performance which they will present to each other and the examiners at the end of the intensive week.

Content Note – This module will address several sensitive topics, such as rape/sexual violence, suicide/self-harm, physical violence (including murder, warfare, and imperial and military occupation), and racism. A more specific content note will be provided for each week in the module handbook and on the module Moodle page. Please contact the module supervisor if you have any questions, or if there are particular topics that you are concerned about.

Module aims

1. To develop an overview and critical understanding of key text and ideas in theatre studies.

2. To investigate and evaluate a range of theatrical forms and styles, using examples from 5th century BCE Athens through to the 21st century.

3. To explore and critically understand concepts such as the audience, time, space, genre, performativity and theatre as social protest.

Module learning outcomes

1. Develop a detailed and critical understanding of a selection of major texts and key ideas within theatre studies;

2. Investigate and evaluate the role of performance practice in relation to theatre studies;

3. Discuss and critically interrogate a range of issues, including genre, representation, narrative structures, theatricality, gender, modernism, self and other;

4. Demonstrate both practical performance skills and the ability to reflect critically on their own practice.

Module information

Please note that this course is taught by a mixture of seminars and practical workshops. Students will be required to join in with practical drama exercises, and to have group practical work assessed.

Learning and teaching methods

Anticipated teaching delivery: Weekly 1-hour class and 2-hour workshop plus a final intensive week

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Formative assessment: Writing portfolio/creative time capsule project (UPLOADED TO MOODLE)    0% 
Coursework   Spring Creative Portfolio (presented in class - week 25)    35% 
Coursework   Writing Portfolio - REASSESSMENT WITHOUT ATTENDANCE     
Practical   Intensive Week Performance (live or recorded) Week 30    40% 
Practical   Participation    5% 
Practical   Practical Assessment (Week 11)    20% 
Practical   Spring Creative Portfolio - REASSESSMENT WITHOUT ATTENDANCE     
Practical   Intensive Week - REASSESSMENT WITHOUT ATTENDANCE     

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Mary Mazzilli, email: m.mazzilli@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Nora Williams, email: n.williams@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Nora Williams
LiFTS General Office - email liftstt@essex.ac.uk. Telephone 01206 872626

 

Availability
No
No
Yes

External examiner

Dr Christina Papagiannouli
University of South Wales
Research Fellow
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 56 hours, 36 (64.3%) hours available to students:
20 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies

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