Unit information: French Experimental Theatre in 2013/14

Unit name	French Experimental Theatre
Unit code	FREN20013
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Forman
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of French
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit considers some key examples of experimental theatre in France in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In addition to analysis of cultural shifts and historical changes in dramatic practice, play texts are juxtaposed in terms of shared thematic preoccupations (the articulation of political ideas, echoes of classical sources) and a common concern with experimentation. Authors considered will include Maeterlinck, Apollinaire, Cocteau, Genet, Vinaver and Kolths.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will:

• be knowledgeable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;
• be skilled in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;
• be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at a high level;
• be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an high level of complexity;
• be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including study at a foreign university and on work placements during the year abroad.

Teaching Information

One weekly lecture plus one weekly seminar

Assessment Information

Coursework and Assessment

Assessed coursework essay of 2500 words (40%) (see below: this must deal with two plays, one or both of which must be a ‘primary’ text)

Examination (60%): two questions (one commentary, one essay) to be answered in two hours.

Reading and References

Set Texts - primary

1. Genet, Les Nègres (Gallimard Folio).
2. Vinaver, Les Travaux et les jours (in Théâtre de Chambre, ed. David Bradby, Bristol Classical Press).
3. Koltès, Combat de nègre et de chiens (Editions de Minuit).

Set Texts - secondary

1. Maeterlinck, Pelléas et Mélisande (Editions Labor)
2. Jarry, Ubu Roi
3. Cocteau, Les Mariés de la Tour Eiffel
4. Cocteau, Orphée (Stock)
5. Beckett, En attendant Godot