| Unit name | Performance Contexts |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THTR10003 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Mark France |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Theatre |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit introduces students to methods of contextualizing given theatrical performances, from considering theatre production as industry, to historically and place-specific questions of cultural, political and aesthetic context. These cultural and contextual frameworks are tested through focusing specifically on revivals, revisions and restagings, addressing issues by means of a central question: what is at stake when a performance from then and there, whether two years or two hundred years ago, is performed here and now? The course will include an introduction to the Theatre Collection and to using performance archives for historical research around a past production. Students will also be introduced to the local theatre culture and the city itself as a context.
On successful completion of this unit students will
(1) be able to demonstrate a knowledge and a critical understanding of historical/cultural and theoretical/aesthetic contexts in which performances occur;
(2) be able to evaluate various historical/cultural factors and how they function in analyzing performances for research and/or production;
(3) be able to apply contextual information appropriately in discussions, written and practical outputs.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous seminar discussions and workshops. Additional screenings, museum visits, archive workshops and theatre performances, where possible and appropriate, will be used to enhance students' engagement with a range of performance contexts.
Formative: Contextual case study of historical performance. Summative: Individual digital pitch for restaging a performance (100%)
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THTR10003).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
