FT2BTA-British Theatre
Module Provider: Film, Theatre & TV
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring
Module Convenor: Professor
JS
Bull
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: FT2US1A
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9
Email: j.s.bull@reading.ac.uk
Aims:
The module aims: to introduce students to the main developments within British theatre writing and theatrical practice from 1956 to the present; to extend students' awareness of the ways in which theatre practice may be related to historical, social and cultural contexts; to enhance skills of critical analysis, informed by appropriate critical frameworks, of both play scripts and theatre performances.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
Additional outcomes:
The module plays a significant role in the continuing development of other skills and competencies which are central to the course. It is expected that the level of skills and competencies achieved in the following will be appropriate to the level of study: oral communication and argument in group situations; deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument; undertaking self-directed, independent work; presentation of written work using IT; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis of theatre.
Outline content:
The module will focus on a range of texts and practitioners in British theatre since 1956. The emphasis will be on the range and diversity of the theatre and drama produced in this period and on the ways in which much of it might be considered anti-hegemonic when place in its political, historical and cultural context. The module will identify areas of critical debate that have informed the work of contemporary playwrights and current theatre practice (for example: issues of sexual and cultural politics; realism; representations of the 'State of the Nations'; the relationship between history and the contemporary). It will also take account of the institutional structures in which theatre has developed (for example: the influence of censorship; public and private funding regimes). Playwrights studied may include: John Osborne, Shelagh Delaney, Trevor Griffiths, Caryl Churchill and Timberlake Wertenbaker.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The normal teaching pattern will be one lecture and one x one hour seminar per week. Students will be required to do preparatory reading, normally a play text per week, supported by appropriate and specified critical reading and occasional screenings. Students may be required to present short seminar papers, either individually or in small groups, as a stimulus to group discussion. Compulsory theatre visits - normally two across the module as a whole - will be incorporated into the teaching programme.
Contact hours:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | 8 | 8 | |
| Tutorials/seminars | 8 | 8 | |
| Practicals | |||
| Other contact (eg study visits) | Occasional theatre visits | Occasional theatre visits | |
| Total hours | 16 | 16 | |
| Number of essays or assignments | 1 | 1 | |
| Other (eg major seminar paper) |
Assessment:
Coursework:
Students will write 2 essays of 3, 000 words, one in the Autumn and one in the Spring Term.
Relative percentage of coursework:100%
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements
Resubmission of failed coursework.