Course Description
An introduction of major currents in world drama from its beginnings to the present, with special emphasis on the relevance of these texts, whether old or new, to contemporary society around the world.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional reading and written work.
Athena Title
Folk Art and Political Theater
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
- 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.
Topical Outline
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
Syllabus