FT2PN-Performance and Nation

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Module Convenor: Dr Vicky Angelaki

Email: v.angelaki@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
The module will explore plays and productions from British theatre since 1979 to the contemporary moment and their historical and cultural contexts, including ethnicity and diasporic communities, institutions as the National Health Service and police force; events following 9/ 11 and the 􀀑the War on Terror􀀒; global capitalism and ideas concerning nationhood.

Aims:
The module aims to extend students' awareness of the ways in which theatre practice may be related to historical, social and cultural contexts and will develop skills of close textual and performance analysis, along with an understanding of the shifting local, national and global contexts that have informed British playwrights, theatre makers and theatre cultures.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

􀀕 demonstrate in written assignments a critical understanding of a range of different theatre practices from particular national contexts
􀀕 relate the specific practices of theatre writing and theatrical production within a particular national context to both national and transnational traditions or histories of representation, and to local, national and international conditions of theatrical production.
􀀕 relate play texts and theatrical practices to wider national, social, cultural and political movements (e.g. feminism);
􀀕 analyse the complex relationships between individual play texts/productions and the wider theatrical movements, forms and genres, to which they have been connected;
􀀕 make informed use of interpretative frameworks introduced or extended in the module (e.g. concepts of ideology) in the analysis of texts, practices and productions;
􀀕 identify some of the main relationships between theatre practices and the institutional contexts in which they occur;
􀀕 demonstrate skills of performance analysis, through detailed consideration of both live and recorded productions.

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 primarily be concerned with the work of British dramatists after 1979 and will explore some of the following areas: the exploration of ethnicity and diasporic communities, institutions as the National Health Service and police force; events following 9/ 11 and the 􀀑the War on Terror􀀒; global capitalism and ideas concerning nationhood. The module will also critically explore terms associated with theatre and performance during this period including 􀀑state of the nation plays􀀒, 􀀑In-Yer Face􀀒 and Verbatim drama. The module will also include a recognition and analysis of British theatre ecology, looking at the impact of bodies such as the National Theatre, the Royal Court and regional theatres as well as specific theatre companies engaged in new writing.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The normal teaching pattern will consist of one lecture and an hour and a half seminar per week. Visits to performances will be an important part of the module, and will inform lectures and seminar discussion, as well as reading plays. Where relevant, film and television screenings will be arranged. There is a cost for approx one theatre trip per term (approx 3 in total).

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	9
Seminars	13.5
External visits	9
Guided independent study	168.5
Total hours by term	200.00
Total hours for module	200.00

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Students will undertake one formative assessment designed to develop their skills of argument and critical thinking.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books 2) a maximum of 2 theatre trips 

Last updated: 20 April 2018