Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit will examine three primary traditions in Contemporary Performance - Experimental Theatre, Contemporary Dance and Performance Art. The work of key practitioners and movements will be studied with an aim to establish their importance to and influence on contemporary performance practices. Ideas of avant-gardism, theatre as laboratory, physical theatre, site-based performance, and conceptual performance art will be examined and discussed.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course students will:

1. Possess a broad knowledge of a range of the origins of contemporary theatre and performance traditions;
2. Have received an introduction to the ideas of key concepts, developments and practitioners in the story of contemporary performance;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relevance of theories of the avant-garde to Twentieth and Twenty-First Century art practice;
4. Be able to understand the importance of different meanings of embodiment in performance practice;
5. Debate the key concepts in contemporary aesthetics;
6. Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the importance of performance in the broader realm of contemporary art practice.

Assessment

Group Class Presentation (15 minutes, 900 words): 20%
Individual write-up of presentation (900 words): 20%
Essay (1800 words): 40%
Participation (900 words): 20%

Contact hours

One 2-hour seminar per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Performance
Theatre

Prerequisites

1st year sequence in Theatre