AN INTRODUCTION TO MODERN EUROPEAN DRAMA

AN INTRODUCTION TO MODERN EUROPEAN DRAMA

Module Level:

Module Tutor:

M Pugmire.

Module Credit Value:

10 Credit Points.

Recommended prior knowledge :

None. This module is available as an elective.

Aims

to examine the variety of drama from Ibsen onwards
to study modern plays both as individual texts and in relation to each other, tracing the main developments during this century
to discuss whether traditional ideas of genre can be applied to modern plays
to explore the ways in which modern plays reflect the societies in which they are written
to explore the differences between stage and television drama

Indicative Content

The legacy of naturalistic and symbolic drama, with special reference to Ibsen.

The changing social, cultural and theatrical contexts in which plays have been written and produced.

The different uses to which comedy has been put by dramatists

The extent to which plays have reflected contemporary social conflicts

The different narrative strategies adopted by dramatists.

The emergence of drama written by women

The differences and similarities between theatrical and television drama

Specific Texts

Texts may vary from year to year (for instance, to link with productions available locally), but will normally be chosen from the following:
Ibsen, A Doll’s House
Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
Shaw, John Bull’s Other Island or St. Joan
Brecht, The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui or The Caucasian Chalk Circle
Beckett, Waiting for Godot or Not I
Osborne, Look Back in Anger
Pinter, Betrayal
Shaffer, Equus
Churchill, Top Girls
Stoppard, Professional Foul
Minghella, Truly, Madly, Deeply
Cleese and Booth, Fawlty Towers

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit each student should be able to:

demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the texts and extracts studied, and respond independently and intelligently to the complex questions and issues posed by those texts.
provide evidence of an ability to follow through the main changes and developments in the drama of the period.
discuss the relation between particular texts and their social, cultural and historical contexts.
provide evidence of having developed individual skills of detailed, questioning reading and interpretation, and of further being able to articulate and discuss their responses and judgements with their peers.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Whole texts and extracts, including video material and theatrical performance (if available) will be studied in blocks of 1-2 weeks, combining general lectures (to provide background perspectives and introduce general issues) with seminar and small-group discussion. Students will be required to do research into an area chosen from a variety of options.

Assessment Strategies

Assessment will be based 50% on a 2-hour examination, and 50% on coursework. In line with the learning outcomes, coursework will include individual contribution to class and small-group discussion, as well as two pieces of written work, totalling 1500 words. In coursework students will be expected to respond to video material and theatrical performance (if available), as well as to printed texts.

Bibliography

Required Reading

ed. Cole, T Playwrights on Playwrighting (MacGibbon and Kee, 1960)

Esslin, M The Theatre of the Absurd (Pelican, 1980)

Hornby, R. Script into Performance (Paragon House, 1987)

Orr, J Tragic Drama and Modern Society (Macmillan, 1989)

Styan, J.L. The Elements of Drama (Cambridge University Press, 1973)

ed. Wager, W The Playwrights Speak (Longman, 1969)

Williams, R Drama from Ibsen to Brecht (Chatto and Windus, 1968)

Recommended Reading:

Brustein, R The Theatre of Revolt (Elephant Paperbacks, 1992)

Dukore, B.F. Harold Pinter (Macmillan, 1988)

ed. Esslin, M Samuel Beckett: Twentieth Century Views (Prentice-Hall, 1965)

Hugo, L Bernard Shaw: Playwright and Preacher (Methuen, 1971)

Hunter, J Tom Stoppard’s Plays (Faber,1982)

ed. Lyman, J Perspectives on Plays (Routledge Kegan Paul, 1976)

ed. Nicol, B Varieties of Dramatic Experience (University of London, 1969)

compiled by Page, M File on Pinter (Methuen, 1993)

Plunka, G.A. Roles, Rites and Rituals In the Theater (Associated University Presses, 1988)

Styan, J.L. The Dark Comedy (Cambridge University Press, 1968)

Williams, R Modern Tragedy (Chatto, 1966)

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