Undergraduate - UnitATS2916 - Theories of theatre I

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

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

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	Centre for Theatre and Performance
Offered	Clayton First semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Will Peterson

Synopsis

This unit will examine key theories of theatre and performance practice in the western world from Aristotle, to the artistic movements of Symbolism and German Expressionism, to the anti-naturalism of Meyerhold and Brecht, to Grotowski and the recent contemporary development of Postdramatic theatre. The course connects these theories to theatrical practice in specific historical periods, to gain insights into the artistic, philosophical and political foundations of the various forms in their own times and how they might have influenced practioners in later days, including the present.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the unit students will:

possess a broader knowledge of a range of theatre traditions, past and present;
have some acquaintance with the ideas of key thinkers whose work bears on the interpretation and understanding of theatre and performance;
demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between theatre movements and their socio-historical and cultural contexts;
be able to employ a critical approach to historical and contemporary debates in the study and practice of theatre;
debate the ethical and social dimensions of theatre;
demonstrate an understanding of the key issues in the interpretation and reception of theatre and performance;
have developed their ability to discuss major theorists and practitoners of twentieth century western theatre and their legacy

Assessment

Research report (900 words): 25%
Contribution to Moodle seminar forums (500 words): 20%
Essay (1600 words): 35%
Participation and Attendance: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Will Peterson

Workload requirements

One 2-hour seminar per week

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

Theatre

Prerequisites

Two gateway units in Theatre