| CODE | THS2100 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Development of Theatre Texts 1 | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Theatre Studies | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The development in the writing of the theatrical text underwent a series of major changes throughout the centuries. This study-unit examines the changes in perspective of theatre through key theoretical texts that were written in specific moments of theatre history. These are examined as a pattern in the development of this specific element of the theatrical act. Theoretical writings are examined with a view to understanding how playwriting was conceived at particular historical periods. Plays of various periods will be studied in the light of the theories elaborated at the time and contrasted to other periods and theories. Students must do their reading well in time before lectures. Apart from their final examination, students will also be given an analysis task, for which they will have to write a 1000 word essay and discuss it in class. Although the discussion in this unit will be furthered in THS2101, it can also be taken as an independent unit. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to: - Impart knowledge of theatre texts across the ages from the Greeks to the present; - Consider theory in the light of practice and vice-versa; - Familiarise students with (i) written plays and (ii) dramatic and performance theories. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Analyse, contextualise, and problematise theoretical and philosophical texts; - Link theoretical and philosophical texts with dramatic and performance texts; - Adopt a synoptic approach when considering the writing of texts on paper and in space. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate skills in sophisticated thought, self-reflection, and independent learning; - Demonstrate communication and presentational skills in writing and debate; - Carry out research using the appropriate research methodologies; - Understand implications in synoptic studies, beyond theatre and performance. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Texts to be covered across THS2100 and THS2101: Aristotle's Poetics, Horace's Ars Poetica, as well as readings from Tertullian, St Augustine, Donatus, Castelvetro, Cinthio, Robortello, Scaliger, Guarini, Lope de Vega, Sir Philip Sidney, Ben Jonson, Moliere, Boileau, Goethe, Schiller, Artaud, Beaumarchais, Sarah Kane, and others. Main Texts: - M. Carlson, Theories of the Theatre (London: Cornell University, 1984) - M. Sidnell, ed., Sources of Dramatic Theory (Cambridge: CUP, 1991) - B. Dukore, ed., Dramatic Theory and Criticism. Greeks to Grotowski (Parts of) (Hawaii: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, 1974) Supplementary readings: A selection of plays will be given in function of the theorists discussed. Plays may include the following: Oedipus Rex - Sophocles The Oresteia - Aeschylus (in particular, the Libation Bearers) Electra - Sophocles Electra - Euripedes Oedipus - Seneca Everyman - Anon The Mandrake Root - Machiavelli Lena - Ariosto Phedre - Racine Fuente Ovejuna - Lope de Vega The Comic Illusion - Corneille Le Cid - Corneille Moliere - The School for Wives criticised The impromptu of Versailles Tartuffe The Barber of Seville - Beaumarchais The Robbers - Schiller The Doll's house - Ibsen Miss Julie - Strindberg Woyseck - Buchner The Inspector General - Gogol Waiting for Godot - Beckett The rise and fall of Arturo Ui - Brecht Threepenny Opera - Brecht Look back in Anger - Osborne The Crucible - Arthur Miller 4.48 Psychosis - Sarah Kane and any other plays advised by the lecturer. Most of these texts are found in the UoM library, and students will be directed accordingly to their availability. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Maria Cuschieri Mario Frendo |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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