Reading Drama

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2024/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Education, Arts & Community

Unit Title:

Reading Drama

Unit ID:

BALIT2003

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

(BATCC1001 or BATCC1002 or LITCI1000 or LITCI1001)

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

(BALIT3003)

ASCED:

091523

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

This course examines selected plays central to the development of drama in the Western tradition, with a critical emphasis on a historical, cultural and performative analysis of these works. As such, it concentrates on the most significant and innovative forms of dramatic literature across history, ranging from Ancient Greek Drama, to Renaissance drama, and developments in dramatic practice and theory in the 20th and 21st centuries. The course develops a coherent narrative of the ways in which drama has developed in the Western tradition and discusses how literary and social movements influenced innovative dramatic practice.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component: No

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Demonstrate familiarity with a selection of representative plays across the history of drama in the Western tradition.

K2.	Distinguish the major innovations in dramatic form and content across the history of drama in the modern West.

K3.	Consider how historical, cultural and performative developments interact to produce new forms of dramatic literature and practice.

Skills:

S1.	Examine dramatic literature from different historical periods and literary movements in relation to their historical, cultural and performance contexts.

S2.	Undertake guided research to deepen understanding of dramatic literature from different historical, cultural and literary periods and movements.

S3.	Review, consolidate and synthesise knowledge of dramatic literature and relevant scholarship.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Construct and communicate a clear and coherent argument in verbal, written or visual form, making appropriate use of evidence from texts covered in the course.

A2.	Apply knowledge and understanding of several historical, cultural and literary movements to the production and construction of dramatic literature.

A3.	Debate the significance of social and cultural change on the development of drama across history in the Western tradition.

Unit Content:

Topics may include:

1.The significance of dramatic literature as a form of writing

2.The importance of cultural, historical and performative analysis in understanding dramatic literature

3.Major developments in theories of practice of drama across history: Ancient Greek foundations of Western dramatic practice, Renaissance drama, Naturalism, Realism, Anti-Realism (Theatre of Cruelty, Epic Theatre, Theatre of the Absurd, Comedy of Menace), Theatre of Exhaustion, Neo-Naturalism (Australian and American), Poor Theatre, Feminist Theatre, Environmental Theatre, Postmodern Theatre, Queer Theatre, Political Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, Theatre of Visuals

4.Major theories of meaning including semiotics, deconstruction, feminism, queer theory, race studies, psychoanalysis, new historicism and postmodernism.5.Major works representative of the various periods and movements covered

Graduate Attributes:

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting
1.	K1, K2, S1, A1	Engagement in discussion with other students on theoretical and textual issues raised in the course. Students will analyse their response to the dramatic literature covered in the course via short reviews/reports or read throughs of sections of the plays. These will be presented either in person or online through virtual classrooms or submitted on forums.	In-class or online discussion of a series of short reviews/reports or read throughs	20-30%
2.	K1, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A3	Analyse a set text/s in relation to its historical, cultural and performative context.	Essay	25-40%
3.	K1, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3	Analyse the production of one or more of the set plays in relation to its written directions and innovative practice. Links to performances will be available at Moodle.	Major Essay	35-50%

Adopted Reference Style:

MLA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency