Course syllabus spring 2010
Course syllabus spring 2010
Title
Theatre and Social Justice
Swedish title
Theatre and Social Justice
Course code
EN207E
Credits
15 credits
Grading scale
UG / Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2008-02-25
Syllabus valid from
2008-09-01
Entry requirements
The special prerequisite for this course, besides basic eligibility for university studies, is fieldeligibility 6: Civics A and English B. Applicants are exempted from the Civics A requirement.
Level
Basic level
Main field
English
Progression level
G1N
Course objectives
The aim is to introduce the student to contemporary plays that deal with themes such as gender, ethnicity, and class, and to give the student the experience of performing one of these plays. The process of producing a play develops a deeper understanding of the live theatre, where these works have their greatest impact on society. Additionally, the aim is to improve oral communication and pronunciation. Therefore, the purpose of the learning outcomes and course content is the preparation for the production of the play as a main term project. The course emphasizes the students own oral and written production, merging literary studies and critical thinking with performing arts and creative thinking.
Course contents
The three graded course modules are:
- Play Analysis Theory: the critical study of contemporary plays dealing with social justice;
- Acting Theory and Technique: acting lessons and play rehearsals;
- Final Project: rehearsal and performances of one play;
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
After finishing the course, the student:
- has an introductory knowledge of contemporary plays;
- has a basic 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;
- has a basic knowledge of the process involved in preparing a play for performance in the amateur theater, and
- can show knowledge of Malmö University’s perspectives: International Migration and Ethnic Relations, Nature and Resource Management, and Equality and Gender.
Skills and ability
After finishing the course, the student:
- has the 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;
- has the ability to apply the 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;
- has the ability to use fundamental acting skills;
- has the ability to take initiative, think imaginatively, and produce creative solutions;
- has an 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 apply knowledge of Malmö University’s perspectives to issues pertaining to Theater and Social Justice.
Critical skills and approach
After finishing the course, the student:
- can respect theater’s role as a tool for investigating social issues and human suffering;
- can understand the importance of planning in the creative or productive process;
- can understand the importance of self reflection, and
- can understand the importance of receiving critique and applying directions.
Learning activities
A combination of resources are available, including lectures, seminars, self-study of course literature, acting classes, and rehearsals & performances of a play as a main term project.
The student needs to take an active participation and personal responsibility for learning.
Assessment
The forms of examination in the course are:
- written assignments analyzing the plays
- attendance and oral participation at two-thirds of literature seminars
- acting scenes in class from each play
- participation and completion of a project play
Due to the nature of the course, i.e. teamwork for a performance, students are expected to attend every acting class, rehearsal, and performance.
Students who do not pass the regular course exams have the minimum of two re-sit opportunities. Re-sits follow the same form as the original exams, apart from re-sits for group work, which take the form of individual written assignments, and presentation of production play during another term.
Course literature and other study material
Albee, Edward. 1958. The Zoo Story. ISBN 0-452-27889-9
Hansberry, Lorraine. 1959. A Raisin in the Sun. ISBN 0-679-75531-4
Kramer, Larry. 1985. The Normal Heart. ISBN 1-85459-285-8
Recommended books for reference and self-study
Benedetti, Jean. Stanislavski and The Actor. Methuen Publishing: London. 1998. ISBN 0-413-71160-9
Brockett, Oscar G. The Essential Theater. Holt, Rinehard and Winston: London. 1988. ISBN 0-03-013012-3.
Pickering, Kenneth. Studying Modern Drama, 2nd ed. Palgrave: London. 2003. ISBN 1-4039-0441-3.
Stanislavsky, Constantin. An Actor’s Handbook or An Actor Prepares or Building a Character or Creating a Role.
Additional material may be introduced in the course, but no more than 50 pages.
Course evaluation
All students are offered an opportunity to give oral and written feedback at the end of the course. A summary of the results will be made available on the school’s web-pages. The students are also given a possibility to offer feedback for each module.
Student participation takes place through the course council.
Additional information
No audition is required.