- to introduce students to major works of world drama; to 
teach students about the different theatrical conventions 
around the world, with special emphasis on the relevance of 
these texts, whether old or new, to the contemporary global 
scene; 
- to consider the genre of drama in relation to its larger
cultural context; 
- to enhance students' critical skills through the analysis of
individual plays; 
- and to develop students' communication skills through oral
presentations and expository writing assignments. 

Students' performances will be assessed through presentations,
papers, tests, and a final examination.

The course is organized around a chronological series of 
readings from world drama, with special emphasis on the 
relevance of these texts, whether old or new, to the 
contemporary global scene. The topics considered are specific 
to the works under analysis, with recurrent concerns being the 
physical nature of the theater; costumes, gesture, lighting, 
sets, props, etc.; conventions of representation and questions 
of verisimilitude; the relation between script and 
performance; the social status of actors and the relation of 
the theater to various cultural groups (the court, 
aristocracy, commoners, peasants, etc.). The works studied 
vary with the instructor.

The following is a sample syllabus of readings for a single 
semester:

Aeschylus.  The Oresteia
Kalidasa.  Sakuntala Noh Theater
Ji Junxiang. The Orphan of Zhao Everyman
Shakespeare.  The Tempest
Kong Shangren. The Peach Blossom Fan
Calderon.  Life Is a Dream
Ibsen.  A Doll's House
Chekhov.  The Cherry Orchard
Cesaire.  A Tempest
Kushner.  Angels in America
Soyinka.  Death and the King's Horseman
Wertenbaker.  Our Country's Good
Churchill.  Cloud Nine

Students are required to abide by the University of Georgia academic honesty policy.