DTH4004

Rethinking Theatre History (12 points)

(ARTS)

Leader: Peter Fitzpatrick

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2004 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit will explore the processes of rethinking theatre history in a number of ways: the challenges to received critical thinking and methodology, and to canonical assumptions; the implications for theatre history of parallel texts reflecting 'translations' into new media; the responses of analytical and critical approaches in Drama and Theatre Studies to the influence of thinking in other disciplines; the reframing of canonical texts in the light of contemporary theoretical and cultural perspectives, and its implications for historicised interpretation. It will examine a range of plays in relation to traditional scholarly interpretations and to specific recent re-readings.

Assessment: An exegetical essay (3000 words) 30%, An oral class presentation (equivalent 2000 words) 20%, A long essay (4000 words) 50%

Contact Hours: 2 hours class contact weekly, 12 hours private study and 10 hours additional research, over eleven weeks

Corequisites: DTH4000