School of English
Module manager: Dr Brett Greatley-Hirsch
Email: B.D.GreatleyHirsch@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
ENGL1282
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module invites you to think critically about drama as a genre of literature as well as performance, drawing on a range of plays (in English or translation) from different cultures, theatrical traditions and historical periods. By approaching the plays thematically (e.g., the body and gender, place and space, language and voice), you will explore how dramatic texts work on both page and stage, developing skills in close reading and a basic understanding of the mechanics of the theatre -- the relationship between actor and audience, blocking and the layout of the stage, the use of lighting, costuming, props, movement, gesture, and so on.
On completion of this module, students should be able to read plays as works of literature and as blueprints for performance, with an awareness of historical, cultural, and theatrical contexts. Students will have acquired the fundamental critical skills and terminologies required to produce close readings of drama and demonstrate familiarity with a range of critical approaches to dramatic literature, complemented by introductory skills in dramaturgy and theatre practice.
Students will develop:
1. their abilities in working towards critically informed theatre analysis;
2. the ability to use written communication effectively;
3. the capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse;
4. apply key strategies for exploring and analysing contemporary theatre practice;
5. the ability to come to creative solutions,
6. the ability to critique and reflect upon performance methods in critical prose.
There will be a close focus on five dramatic texts, which will be introduced individually and examined in relation to their critical, intellectual, historical, linguistic and social contexts. The texts are drawn from a range of cultures and historical periods and demonstrate the cosmopolitan dimension of the development of theatre in English, including important dramatic works in translation. There will be at least two texts chosen from periods before 1900, and the others from the 20th or 21st century.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Practical | 3 | 1.6 | 5 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Independent online learning hours | 70 | ||
| Private study hours | 100 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students are expected to devote 100 hours of private study time to this module, with the following suggested breakdown:
- Reading, preparation and follow-up for lectures, seminars and other sessions: (30x1.5=) 45 hours;
- Preparation for assignments: 55 hours
Weekly discussion in seminars; scheduled discussion and tutor response to group collaboration in performance and workshop sessions; opportunity to meet tutors during consultation hours; opportunities to develop skills with writing mentors; written feedback on assignment and on essay.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 1,000 words | 33 |
| Essay | 2,000 words | 67 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 12/7/2022
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team