2592 (v.7) Performance Studies 211 - Comedy and Tragedy

Area:

Department of Communication and Cultural Studies

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

3.0

Lecture:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Tutorial:

1 x 2 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

Formal work on classical, renaissance period - particularly Shakespeare, restoration and modern comedies and tragedies. Analysis of speeches and scenes, acting, writing and staging methods.

Unit Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit, students will have- Defined and understood the changing forms of comedy and tragedy. Related staging conventions to technological and cultural aspects of theatre. Examined the theoretical implications of 'traditional' and 'contemporary' renderings of Shakespearean texts. Developed strategies for understanding and performing blank verse and heightened language texts.

Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.

Unit References:

Gibaldi, Joseph. (1999), MLA handbook for writers of research papers (fifth edition). New York, Modern Language Association of America.

Unit Texts:

Gurr, Andrew. (1970), The Shakespearean stage 1574-1642. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Rothwell, Kenneth S. (1999), A history of Shakespeare on screen: a century of film and television. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Bate, Jonathon. and Jackson, Russell. (eds.) (1996), Shakespeare: an illustrated stage history. New York, Oxford University Press. Bennett, Susan. (1996), Performing nostalgia: shifting Shakespeare and the contemporary past. London, Rutledge. Wilson, Richard. and Dutton, Richard. (ed.) (1992), New historicism and renaissance drama. London, Longman.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Assignment 1 Performance 35%, Assignment 2 Performance 35%, Assignment 3 Written work 30%. This is by grade/mark assessment.

Year	Location	Period	Internal	Area External	Central External
2004	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y