Objectives
Students who complete a major in drama and theatre studies should develop:
* an understanding of the processes of performance in relation to written texts, the stage conventions and physical conditions of production and contemporary theoretical frameworks;
* a knowledge of the major historical traditions of `Western' theatre, and a comparative understanding of a range of theatre forms from other cultures, particularly Asian;
* the ability to articulate critical interpretations of dramatic texts and processes in (i) systematic written argument, and (ii) clear and confident oral presentation;
* the ability to embody interpretations of dramatic texts through practical performance work in the form of both experiments in class and public productions;
* problem-solving skills in translating a range of critical and theoretical approaches into theatrical action;
* skills in theatrical performance;
* the ability to work creatively and cooperatively within a group;
* the capacity to take responsibility for the planning and cooperative management of productions for the public
* an ability to deconstruct the ideological assumptions which underlie all dramatic texts and representations;
* an ability and readiness to be self-aware and self-evaluative;
* a range of attitudes fundamental to successful activities in the theatre, including (i) a readiness to take creative initiatives while showing respect and consideration for the ideas and approaches of others; (ii) an eagerness to experiment; (iii) a commitment to the value and importance of the theatrical experience in itself in relation to the life of their culture; (iv) a tolerance and appreciativeness of human difference, through the imaginative embodiment of unfamiliar perspectives; (v) a questioning and reflective approach to received theories and opinions; (vi) a sense of personal responsibility and accountability in their theatrical work with others; (vii) an awareness of the complex and conditional nature of knowledge, as represented particularly in the multiple interpretative possibilities for performance; (viii) an interest in learning that will continue throughout their lives.
The course
The first-year prerequisite for students intending a major or minor sequence in drama and theatre studies is DTS1060/ENH1060 (The language of performance) and DTS1160/ENH1160 (The place of performance). In later years majoring students should take at least forty points (normally sixteen points at second-year level, sixteen at third-year level and a further eight from either second or third-year level) from approved units offered by the faculty, including at least two of three core units: DTS2000/3000 (Ideas of theatre) DTS2050/3050 (Asian theatre: an introduction) and DTS3800 (Drama in performance). While a number of the units which are not offered solely by the centre have departmental prerequisites, students taking these courses as DTS studies may, with the permission of the head of the relevant department, be excused those requirements. Students who are appropriately qualified may be admitted to the fourth-year honours program, which is offered in conjunction with the Department of English.
The courses below are offered at the Clayton campus unless otherwise indicated. None of the units listed below may be counted toward more than one minor or major sequence. In the case of DTS/ENH1060 and DTS/ENH1160, which are approved bases for later-year studies in both English and drama and theatre studies, it will be necessary for students to complete an additional first-year sequence in English in order to establish credit for sequences in both areas of study.
First-year level
* DTS1060 The language of performance
* DTS1160 The place of performance
Later-year courses offered by the centre
* DTS2000 Ideas of theatre
* DTS2050 Asian theatre: an introduction
* DTS2500 The study of dance
* DTS3000 Ideas of theatre
* DTS3050 Asian theatre: an introduction
* DTS3500 The study of dance
* DTS3800 Drama in performance
Later-year courses offered in conjunction with departments
* DTS2100 Theatrical music
* DTS2130 Tragedy
* DTS2210 The woman's part
* DTS2270 Modern drama
* DTS2320 Body, space, text: an introduction to the semiotics of performance
* DTS2450 Contemporary drama
* DTS2630 Shakespeare
* DTS2830 Drama into film
* DTS2860 Music of Southeast Asia
* DTS2940 Twentieth century drama
* DTS2941 The playwright as social critic
* DTS3100 Theatrical music
* DTS3130 Tragedy
* DTS 3190 Postcolonial drama
* DTS3210 The woman's part
* DTS3270 Modern drama
* DTS3310 Indonesian theatrical traditions
* DTS3320 Body, space, text: an introduction to the semiotics of performance
* DTS3450 Contemporary drama
* DTS3610 Seventeenth century French theatre
* DTS3630 Shakespeare
* DTS3810 Comparative drama of the twentieth century
* DTS3830 Drama into film
* DTS3860 Music of Southeast Asia
* DTS3940 Twentieth century drama
* DTS3941 The playwright as social critic
Fourth-year level
Students wishing to enrol in the drama and theatre studies program at honours level must have completed a major in the centre, and will normally be expected to have achieved credit results in drama and theatre studies subjects to the value of twenty-four points at second and third-year levels combined, of which sixteen must be at third-year level.
* The fourth-year course consists of DTS4600 (Thesis) 24 points and DTS4120 (Performance theory) 12 points, plus one other unit to the value of 12 points. Among the units available in 1995 are these offered by the Department of English:
* ENH/DTS4700 Drama of the age of Shakespeare
* ENH/DTS4820 Twentieth century Australian drama
Students may incorporate in their fourth-year program appropriate fourth-year level units from other departments or centres of the faculty, with the formal approval of the Centre for Drama and Theatre Studies and the department or centre concerned.