DRAMA 301

Drama: Topics and Themes


Please note: this is archived course information from 2017 for DRAMA 301.

Description

This course builds on the performance principles and experiences involved in DRAMA 204. It focuses on the topic of comedy, requiring more detailed exploration of particular theatrical and dramatic issues. Students should be prepared for extensive practical workshops on the material studied. Areas of exploration will include: laughter, the comic actor and the audience, clowning, styles of comedy and the comic, the social spaces of performance, commedia dell'arte and the use of masks, political/street theatre. Particular writers and works providing scenarios for exploration will include classical comedy, Shakespearean comedy, farce and contemporary comedy. Practical work consists of both individual and group performance assignments, culminating in a full-play project working on a text of classical comedy by Shakespeare, Molière, Beaumarchais or similar playwright. For 2017, this work will be Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona.


Class limits information for 2017: Enrolment is limited to 25 students, with selection based on: First priority: students with a Drama major ranked by grade in DRAMA 302. Second priority: Any Drama majors who have not yet sat DRAMA 302 ranked by grade in DRAMA 204. Third priority: Drama minors ranked by grade in DRAMA 204. Fourth priority: other students who have passed DRAMA 204 ranked by grade in DRAMA 204. Fifth priority: students in non-Drama majors ranked by grade in Drama-related courses. Sixth priority: students with other demonstrable experience in the dramatic arts.

View the course syllabus

Availability 2017

Semester 1

Lecturer(s)

Coordinator(s) Professor Tom Bishop
Lecturer(s) Professor Tom Bishop

Reading/Texts

Reading material will be provided by the instructor. Scripts studied will include Beckett, Waiting for Godot and Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona.
 

Recommended Reading

Critchley, On Humour (Routledge); Stott, Comedy (Routledge).
 

Assessment

Coursework only

Points

DRAMA 301: 15 points

Prerequisites

DRAMA 204 and approval Academic Head or nominee

Restrictions

THEATRE 301