Drama and theatre studies
Students who wish to make a specialist study of drama and theatre
studies as part of their BA degree may do so within the Centre for Drama and
Theatre Studies. The subjects available represent a wide range of approaches to
studies in the field but most place a strong emphasis on performance. While the
major in drama and theatre studies is not designed specifically as a course in
systematic skills training, the element of performance in our program (whether
in public production or through `in-house' experimental work) is regarded as
fundamental to the analysis of theatre texts and processes.
Students who complete a major in drama and theatre studies should
develop:
- an understanding of the processes of theatrical 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
theatrical performances 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 theatrical 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 Centre for Drama and Theatre Studies has close connections with a
number of other teaching programs in the Faculty of Arts, all of which are
concerned in one way or another with the study of `texts' and `textuality'.
These are cinema studies, comparative literature, critical theory, cultural
studies, English literature and fiction writing.
- Cinema studies is taught at Caulfield within the English department (with
the help of the Visual Arts department). See cinema studies entry for details.
- English literature is taught in the English Department on the Caulfield,
Clayton and Peninsula campuses. See English entry for details.
- Comparative literature, cultural studies and critical theory are taught
only on the Clayton campus. These programs are taught by the Centre for
Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies and the Department of English. See
CLS entry for details.
- Fiction writing is taught on the Peninsula campus in the Department of
English, and will be offered next in 1998.
It is possible to take a double
major in any two of comparative literature and cultural studies, drama and
theatre studies, and English literature. A major in any of these may also be
combined with a minor sequence in any other or with a minor sequence in
critical theory.
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 places of performance). In later years
majoring students should take at least forty points (sixteen points at
second-year level and twenty-four points at third-year level) from DTS subjects
offered by the faculty. While some of the subjects 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.
The courses below are offered at the Clayton campus unless otherwise indicated.
None of the subjects listed below may be counted toward more than one minor or
major sequence. In the case of DTS1060/ENH1060 and DTS1160/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.
- DTS2210/DTS3210 The woman's part
- DTS3100 Theatrical music
- DTS3310 Indonesian theatrical traditions (proposed to be offered next in
1998)
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/Performance project)
twenty-four points and DTS4120 (Performance theory) twelve points, plus one
other subject to the value of twelve points. Among the subjects available in
1998 are these offered by the Centre for Drama and Theatre Studies and the
Department of English:
- DTS4700 Drama of the age of Shakespeare
- DTS4320 Theories of rehearsal and performance: writing, performativity,
text
- DTS4130 Avant-garde!
- DTS4820 Twentieth-century Australian drama
Students may incorporate
in their fourth-year program appropriate fourth-year level subjects 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.
Departments may grant an extension of time for submission of the honours thesis
or for final coursework up to the last day of the examination period of the
semester in which the work is due. Applications for extensions beyond this date
must be made to the Committee for Undergraduate Studies.