Theatre in English - Theory and Performance II

Course Code: EN228L

Institution:

Department of Language and Linguistics

Revision:

1

Approval

The course was established 11 November 2010.
This course syllabus (version 1) was approved 01 November 2010 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society (SMS).
The syllabus is valid from 19 January 2011.

Education level

First cycle

Course description

To improve oral communication and pronunciation in English.
To further introduce the student to contemporary plays and to give the student the experience of performing one of these plays.
To develop a deeper understanding of the live theatre, where these works have their greatest impact on society by the process of producing a play
To merge literary studies and critical thinking with performing arts and creative thinking by further emphasising the students own oral and written production.
The course is a continuation and a project to Theatre in English - Theory and Performance I.

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

The course can normally be included as a part of a general degree at undergradate level.

Entry requirements

Prerequisite courses for this course are: Passed courses: EN227E-Theatre in English - Theory and Performance I or EN207E-Theatre and Social Justice. No audition is required.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After finishing the course, the student:

• can demonstrate further knowledge of contemporary theater;
• can demonstrate further knowledge of the methods used in literary analysis of dramatic texts, of theatrical terms, and of dramatic literary forms;
• can understand the creative process and theatrical craft and how those inhere in the production of dramatic art and text;
• can demonstrate deepened knowledge of the process involved in preparing a play for performance in the amateur theatre.

Skills and ability
After finishing the course, the student:

• can demonstrate improved proficiency in English and can speak competently for a variety of purposes, such as public speaking, teaching, and further studies in the performing arts and media.
• can demonstrate ability to help produce an amateur play, including the rehearsal process, time management, team work and group commitment, setting up, caring for props and costumes, warming up, performing, etc;
• can demonstrate ability to apply methods used in literary analysis of dramatic texts, and can use theatrical terms and dramatic literary forms, in oral and written analysis and in rehearsal;
• can demonstrate ability to use fundamental acting skills;

Critical skills and approach
After finishing the course, the student:

• is critically aware of theatre’s role as a tool for investigating humanity and society;
• can demonstrate awareness of the importance of planning in a creative or productive process;
• can demonstrate awareness of the importance of self reflection, and
• demonstrates awareness and is able to reflect on the role of receiving critique and applying directions.

Assessments

The forms of examination in the course are:

• Final Project Essay, 5 hp: a written term paper analyzing the assigned project play;
• Production Project, 10 hp: participation and completion of a project play for public performance; participation includes a production role and an artistic role, for example an administrative part of planning the production AND performing on stage or directing.

Due to the nature of the course, i.e. teamwork for a performance, students are expected to attend every rehearsal and performance.
The course examination is performed through project-based work. Project work is built on cooperative effort, teamwork and group processes, however, which can seldom or never be re-created for an individual who has not passed the test or missed part of this work. If the work is judged to be of such a quality that a make-up exam is not possible, the student will be referred to participate in the project the next time the course is offered so they are able to complete the examination.*

*See Student’s Rights & Responsibilities page 7, “Examinations Sessions”.


Course content

The course content is focused on the preparation for the production of the play as a main term project, which includes seminars on the directing and rehearsal process, as well as actual rehearsals and performance of a play. Also, the course requires a written term paper analyzing the assigned project play, both a critical literature analysis and an critical analysis of the process.


Learning activities

The course features a variety of learning activities, such as directing seminars, production meetings, self-study of course literature, and rehearsals and performances of a play as a main term project.


Grading system

A,B,C,D,E,U.


Reading list and other media

The course literature is a play that is chosen in consultation with the teacher, and the following:

Mitchell, Katie. The Director’s Craft: A Handbook for the Theatre. London: Routledge. 2009.

Additional material may be introduced in the course, but no more than 50 pages.



Course evaluation

Evaluation is an integral part of the course. A final written evaluation based on the learning outcomes is done at the end of the course via It’s Learning. This evaluation is used as a starting point for an oral evaluaton which includes a discussion of measures to be taken to develop the course. The result of the evaluation is summarized and made available in a report to be used as a basis for future courses. Evaluatuion is subsequently summarized and published on the home page. Student participation takes place through the course council.