Playing in the Theater Archive: An Introduction to Theater and Performance Studies
THEA 203
Fall 2019
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01
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This class will serve as an introduction to theatricality, performance studies methods, and aesthetic theories. Over the course of the semester, we will explore theater and performance practices from Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" to Young Jean Lee's "The Shipment." We will analyze plays and performances as we examine classical and contemporary conceptions of the theatrical. Given the complex and varied roles theater has played throughout history, we will begin by placing pressure on the terms "theater" and "history." We will pay particular attention to the intersections between theater history, dramatic literature, cultural performance, and the role of the theater archive as we explore key moments in theatrical development. Readings will be organized geographically and diachronically, giving us a mobile and flexible account of theater, theory, and practice across a variety of cultures. At the end of this course, students will be familiar with touchstones in theater history; be able to write a critical and descriptive performance paper; demonstrate a knowledge of critical performance and aesthetic theories; and use performance as research methodology.
This counts as a Theater Methods course for the theater major. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA THEA |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (THEA) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 50% - 74% |
| SECTION 01 |
| Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
| Examinations and Assignments:
Discussion Posts, Short Papers, Group and Individual Projects and Presentations, Research Proposal Paper |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
THEA203 is a Gateway Course for Theater Majors.
The Theater Department organizes a variety of performances for students enrolled in its courses. Field trips to see performances off campus are integrated into course syllabi. Instructors will notify students of all dates at the beginning of the semester and costs for all course field trips are covered (specifically, transportation to and from the performance and tickets). Any potential scheduling conflicts for field trips should be discussed with faculty members. Once students indicate that they are going and tickets are purchased, it is assumed they will attend. (Students backing out of field trips they had said they would attend will be asked to cover the cost of their ticket.) Performances of visitors to Wesleyan's Center for the Arts are integrated into course syllabi and students are required to attend these performances unless otherwise negotiated with instructors. Tickets for performances are available to students at the Box Office in Usdan at the reduced price of $6.00. |
| Instructor(s): Brewer Ball,Katherine Times: ..T.R.. 10:20AM-11:40AM; Location: TST101; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 18 | | SR major: 1 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 2 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: 7 | FR: 6 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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