This course is an exploration of the principal literary periods and styles of drama from the ancient Greeks through the late Renaissance. Students will examine the evolution of Western theatre from its rise in antiquity to its more familiar modern form, investigating how it has changed in its structure, subject matter, and manner and place of performance, as well as how those changes reflect and relate to the roles theater has played in various societies and the changing cultural attitudes toward theater itself. Course may be taken out of sequence.
Similar courses are offered by most theatre departments throughout the state. Theatre is the art and craft of play production. It includes the study of dramatic literature and theory, theatre history, acting, set design, lighting design, costume design and film. In addition to the scholarly exploration of these subjects, the theatre program emphasizes the practical application of knowledge gained and skills learned through annual performances before live audiences. Theatre also explores the historical, cultural and social milieu that produced significant works of dramatic literature.
Students will explore how and why both the physical and dramatic structures of theatre were created, the cultural and societal forces that shaped or tore them down, and how theatre evolved to remain relevant through millennia. This course uses a selection of core historic artifacts—period-specific plays—to examine both major cultural forces that shaped the content written and seen on stage and how the theatrical art from mirrored such changes or challenged conventions. Students will demonstrate critical thinking, text analysis, and research of these concepts through quizzes, exams, and two projects throughout the semester. Students will be required to read plays representative of each dramatic period covered in class. Such plays could include but not be limited to: • Oepidus Rex, by Sophocles• Lysistrata, by Aristophanes • The Twin Menaechmi, by Plautus• The Brothers, by Terence• The Second Shepard’s Pageant, by Wakefield Master• Everyman, by Anonymous• Dulcitius, by Hrosvitha• The Servant of Two Masters, by Carlos Goldoni • Doctor Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe • Henry V, by William Shakespeare • The Tempest, by William Shakespeare • Tartuffe, by Moliere • Phedre, by Jean Racine • The Rivals, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan Beyond the exploration of these periods and their representative styles, this class will present genres and theatrical conventions from around the world. Examples of these non-Western theatrical forms may include: Noh theatre, Bunraku, and Kabuki from Japanese traditions; Kathakali from the Asian subcontinent; Korean Talchum mask dance; and shadow theatre from various regions of the world.
