FT3COB-Contemporary Performance B

Module Provider: Film, Theatre & TV
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Level: 6
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Ms EJ Taylor
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: l.j.taylor@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The module aims to enable students to develop a sophisticated and enhanced level of understanding of the issues, cultural debates and critical theories which have informed the development of contemporary performance. Students will be encouraged to develop an in depth understanding the broad range of contexts in which performance and live art has developed and the variety of issues to which it has responded. The module will promote modes of analysis appropriate for examining specific live events and practices. It will encourage the development of independent research and presentation skills and the deployment of critical performance.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module it is expected that students will be able to:
• develop sophisticated methods of performance analysis introduced in earlier modules of the course to take account of live, devised performance in a range of theatrical and non-theatrical contexts and locations;
• evaluate a range of cultural, aesthetic and theoretical debates in considering the emergence of performance as an interdisciplinary artistic form;
• assess the relevance of critical and theoretical material in developing sustained argument around key issues such as performativity, spectator positionality and liveness;
• evaluate models of performance practice and their significance for specific artistic, social and political contexts and for the history of performance;
• through practical experimentation explore strategies for the devising of performance, and develop methodologies for documenting and evaluating live events and devised performance

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 performance.

Outline content:
The module will further examine the development of contemporary performance in the late twentieth and early twenty first century. Taking account of its history and its varying institutional locations, it will analyse the methodologies and processes that distinguish performance as a live event and the forms of expression contemporary performance deploys. In particular, it will focus on its relationship to theatre as both a rejection of traditions and a reconfiguration of the audience/performer relationship. It will evaluate the social, political and artistic aims and contexts of performance events, as well as the efficacy of strategies of performative modes of communication. The module will further explore theories of performance for enhancing analysis and practice, including performativity, phenomenology theories of the body and issues of liveness. Significant modes of contemporary performance will be explored both practically and theoretically, such as happenings, street theatre, performance in the gallery, dance, site-specific performance, verbatim theatre, multimedia performance and new media performance. The work of key practitioners such as Robert Wilson, DV8, Forced Entertainment, Robert Lepage, The Wooster group, Alecky Blythe, Pina Bausch, Carolee Schneemann, Karen Findlay, Guillermo Gomez-Peña, Coco Fusco, Marina Abramovic, Kiera O’Reilly, will be addressed.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Within a two-three hour class, a range of teaching styles will be used and may vary from week to week. Lectures will be used to establish contexts and introduce issues for discussion and debate. Seminars will concentrate discussion of theoretical material, critical approaches and close analysis of performances, live (where possible), on DVD and evoked through written description. Practical workshops will explore key methodologies and strategies. Seminars and workshops will require preparation in the form of screenings, critical reading and rehearsal. Presentations and short performances will be prepared by individuals or small groups, for analysis and discussion. Visits to performances will take place as part of the module.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures
Tutorials/seminars		10
Practicals		10
Other contact (eg study visits)		Theatre visits and screenings
Total hours		20 plus theatre visits and screenings
Number of essays or assignments		1	1 (optional essay or practical)
Other (eg major seminar paper)			1 (optional practical or essay)

Assessment:
Students submit two assignments, an essay in the Spring term, and either an essay or a group performance, individually documented, in the Summer term. Both will amount to the equivalent of 6,000 words in total.
Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Examinations: none
Requirements for a pass: a mark of 40% overall, including a mark of 40% for the written evaluation.
Reassessment arrangements: assignment 1: resubmission of failed essay; assignment 2: resubmission of failed essay or submission of essay in lieu of failed performance.

Last updated: 7 December 2009