Performance: Contexts and Frameworks (DL - 20 Credits)
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| ENGL4242 | English | 4 | 20 | Autumn UK, Spring UK, Summer UK |
- Code
- ENGL4242
- School
- English
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK, Spring UK, Summer UK
Summary
This module introduces key contexts and frameworks for performance in order to enable critical exploration of central questions about the relationships between the making and reception of drama, theatre and performance. What is performance? Why do we perform? How does performance make meaning? And who for? The module draws on a range of theoretical frameworks for analysing performance, engaging with key critical thinkers such as Brecht, Bakhtin, Carlson and Schechner to consider a range of performances from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries from both conventional and radical stages. The focus throughout is on the multiple potential relationships between performance and audience in a variety of contexts of performance on and beyond the stage: Students will encounter performance that engages directly with politics, history and place and have the opportunity to develop appropriate critical vocabulary and frameworks to analyse these interactions. As well as working with a wide variety of material contained within the module, students will be encouraged to draw upon their own encounters with performance.
Target Students
Only available to Distance Learning postgraduate students in the School of English.
Classes
Further Activity Details: This module is taught by web-based distance learning methods and is available continuously 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For distance learning students, tutorial support is provided by email and web-based support mechanisms. Students will be expected to study 200 hours for this module.
Assessment
- 100% Assignment: One 3000 word essay, plus 2 x 750 word formative essay exercises
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to provide students with:an understanding of key critical concepts in performance analysisa range of approaches for critical analysis of performancean opportunity to apply this understanding of theory and analysis to a wide range of performances.an understanding of the changing relationships between stage and audience in the twentieth and twenty-first centuriesan understanding of the range of possible contexts for performance and their effect on its creation and reception.Learning Outcomes
- key critical concepts in performance analysis;
- a range of approaches for critical analysis of performance;
- the changing relationships between stage and audience in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and the range of possible contexts for performance and their effect on its creation and reception.
(b) Intellectual skills
Students will develop the ability to: analyse a range of different performances and performance contexts within an intellectual framework informed by current scholarship in performance studies and compare and evaluate different critical approaches to performance and audience.
(c) Professional / practical skills
Students will develop the ability to: articulate and apply knowledge and understanding of key theoretical concepts in performance and construct and communicate sustained analysis of key texts and performances to a high standard of accuracy in content and presentation.
(d) Transferable/key skills
Students will develop the ability to: conduct self-directed study and research; write and communicate clearly and effectively and undertake research applying appropriate skills and methodologies.