Overview of the presentation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgendered characters in theatre, film, and television.
Through readings of theoretical texts and dramatic scripts and
through viewings of films and theatre productions, students will
examine the social, historical, artistic, and political context
in which queer performance has been created and the manner in
which the queer character has been presented in dramatic forms
from prehistoric ritual drama to the present day sitcom.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will complete the same assignments as the
undergraduate students with the expectation that there will be a
deeper commitment and focus to the work. In addition, graduate
students' first papers will need to be 10-15 pages and they will
be required to write a 20-25 page final paper. Their final
performance presentation will be a minimum of 20 minutes.
Athena Title
Queer Theatre and Film
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will research a project and give a final presentation on Aspect of Queer Theatre and Film.
Students will engage with LGBT history through Theatre and film throughout history.
Students will create a performative response to text studies during course.
Topical Outline
1. Defining Queer Drama
A. Manner and Style in which the following are presented
1.Sex
2. Sexuality
3.Gender
4. Sensibility/Camp
5.Closet Drama/Overtone
B. Looking through Queer Eyes
1. The Shift in “Reading” what is Queer: Pre Stonewall to Post
Stonewall to Post AIDS
2. The Need for a Mirror..Chasing Role Models
3. The Mirror Has Two Faces…Subversion
4. The Mirror Cracks…..Redefining the Queer
5. Is Queer always Gay? The Birth of the Homosexual vs. The
Birth of the Queer
2. Queer Theatre History: Pre 20th Century
A. Pre Christian Ritual
B. Greco/Roman Drama
C. Medieval Mystery Plays
D. Renaissance …Shakespeare, Marlowe
E. Restoration Comedies
F. Victorian….Wilde
3. Queer Theatre Film and TV: 20th Century
A. Early 20th Cent Themes
1.The Forbidden Love
2.The Predator
B. Mid 20th Cent Themes
1.The Closet
2. Better Off Dead
C. Late 20th Cent Themes
1.Gay Power and Pride
2. AIDS
4. Present Day Presentation of the Queer
A. Drag
C. Bisexuality
D. The power of the gay demographic…the queer TV Explosion
E. Where to now?
