AJL16068 British Drama and Theatre Since Modernism

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Tomáš Kačer, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Tomáš Kačer, Ph.D.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:40 G32, except Tue 14. 11.
Prerequisites (in Czech)
AJL01002 Practical English II || AJ01002 Practical English II
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 8/20, only registered: 1/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course focuses on British drama written from 1890 to the present, and it presents developments in British theatre of this period. It offers an insight into some of the landmark dramatic texts of the era and it critically examines theatrical practices. The list of covered authors includes: G.B. Shaw, Noël Coward, T. S. Eliot, John Osborne, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, Caryl Churchill, Sarah Kane, Martin Crimp and others. Students will get a chance to read carefully and critically the selected plays, study relevant secondary texts (studies, reviews and playbills), and watch excerpts from theatre performances. In the class they will confront their findings and views with their colleagues in discussion.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, a student will be able to:
- analyze a 20th Century British work of drama;
- know distinctive features of British drama of various styles in the 20th century;
- distinguish representative British playwrights and analyze their work in context;
- discuss the role of historical events, social development and cultural changes in the 20th Century Britain in relation to drama and theatre.
Syllabus
  • G. B. Shaw: Mrs. Warren’ s Profession (1893); G. B. Shaw: Androcles and the Lion (1912); Noël Coward: Hay Fever (1925); T. S. Eliot: The Family Reunion (1939); John Osborne: Look Back in Anger (1956); Harold Pinter: Birthday Party (1957); Tom Stoppard: Travesties (1974); Caryl Churchill: Top Girls (1982); Sarah Kane: Blasted (1995); Patrick Marber: Closer (1997)
Literature
  • COCHRANE, Claire. Twentieth-century british theatre : industry, art and Empire. First paperback edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014, x, 353. ISBN 9780521464888. info
  • SHEPHERD, Simon. The Cambridge introduction to modern British theatre. First published. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009, xvi, 250. ISBN 9780521869867. info
  • INNES, Christopher. Modern British drama : the tweentieth century. First published. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002, xxvii, 572. ISBN 9780521016759. info
  • REBELLATO, Dan. 1956 and all that : the making of modern British drama. 1st pub. London: Routledge, 1999, ix, 265. ISBN 041518939X. info
Teaching methods
Textual analysis; production analysis; group discussion; lecture.
Assessment methods
1) In-class written answers related to the main play: 25%.
2) Essay (4-6 pages) and feedback session: 25%.
The essay will present a critical analysis of a play, which is NOT covered in the syllabus. A follow-up feedback session will focus on points raised in the essay. The essay must follow Chicago stylesheet.
3) Discussion participation in the lesson: 25%.
Active participation in class discussion will be required; make sure to bring your texts into classroom with you in order to support your argument with textual evidence.
4) A group discussion about movements and trends: 25%.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2023/AJL16068