AJL15064 American Drama and Theatre after 1945

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2021
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
Wed 12:00–13:40 G31
Prerequisites (in Czech)
AJL01002 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 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course focuses on American drama written from 1945 to 2000, and it presents developments in American theatre of this period. It offers an insight into some of the landmark dramatic texts of the era and it critically examines theatrical practices. It deals with classical, mainstream authors as well as with more experimental and minority authors. The list of covered authors includes: A. Miller, T. Williams, E. Albee, D. Mamet, S. Shepard, L. Hansberry, A. Baraka, and others. Participants 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 post-1945 American work of drama;
- know distinctive features of American drama of various styles in the second half of the 20th Century;
- distinguish representative American playwrights and analyze their work in context;
- discuss the role of historical events, social development and cultural changes in the post-1945 USA in relation to drama and theatre.
Syllabus
  • Week 1, February 17 - Introduction; Week 2, February 24 - Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman; Week 3, March 3 - Arthur Miller: The Crucible; Week 4, March 10 - Tennessee Williams: A Streetcar Named Desire; Week 5, March 17 - Edward Albee: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf; Week 6, March 24 - No class (reading week); Week 7, March 31 - Lorraine Hansberry: A Raisin in the Sun; Amiri Baraka: The Dutchman; Week 8, April 7 - David Mamet: American Buffalo; Week 9, April 14 - Tony Kushner: Angels in America; Week 10, April 21 - Avant-garde; The Wooster Group: L.S.D. (…or just the high points); Week 11, April 28 - Sam Shepard: t.b.a. (a guest lecture); Week 12, May 5 - Eve Ensler: The Vagina Monologues;
Literature
  • BIGSBY, C. W. E. A critical introduction to twentieth-century American drama. Vol. 2, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Edward Albee. Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]: Cambridge University Press, 1982, viii, 355. ISBN 0-521-25811-1. info
  • BIGSBY, C. W. E. A critical introduction to twentieth-century American drama. Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]: Cambridge University Press, 1985, ix, 485. ISBN 0521278961. info
  • BIGSBY, C. W. E. Modern American drama, 1945-2000. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000, xii, 453. ISBN 0521794102. info
  • ARONSON, Arnold. American avant-garde theatre : a history. 1st pub. London: Routledge, 2000, xiv, 242. ISBN 9780415241397. info
  • KRASNER, David. American drama 1945-2000 : an introduction. First published. Malden, Ma.: Blackwell, 2006, vii, 216. ISBN 9781405120869. info
Teaching methods
Lecture, seminar discussion
Assessment methods
Class Participation: 20%. 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. 5 Reading Journals (100–150 words each): 20%. In this journal, you should present a statement concerning the week’s reading and support it with evidence. It should serve as a starting point for class discussion. Final Essay (5-7 pages, MLA-style format): 60%. The essay will consist of two parts: in the first part, you are required to provide the context of your chosen play (e.g., the state of dramatic literature of the era when your play was written, not the author’s bio); in the second part, you should present a critical analysis of your play, according to MLA requirements for a research paper and MLA stylesheet. (At least 60% must be reached in EACH requirement.) (Credit only: attendance according to policies, active participation, 5 reading journals)
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
Teacher's information
https://elf.phil.muni.cz/elf2/course/view.php?id=2474
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2021, recent)
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