This course will examine the development of Drama both broadly historically and as a field of study. Using dramatic texts and critical readings from the Western Theatrical Tradition, beginning with Ancient Greece, students will investigate the ways in which Drama and its scholarship have developed and changed throughout history. Students will engage in an in-depth analysis of the contributions made by key dramatic practitioners and critics and will explore ways in which their own scholarship can contribute to Drama as a discipline.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:- Identify and critically analyse key ideas and practices in the history of the Western theatrical tradition
- Articulate orally and in writing an understanding of these key ideas and practices
- Identify and critically analyse key ideas and developments in Drama as a discipline of critical study
- Articulate orally and in writing an understanding of these key ideas and practices
- Articulate orally and in writing an understanding of the relationship between drama scholarship and practice, and how their own scholarship may contribute to the field
- Demonstrate an understanding of how theatre texts work in a physical space
- Facilitate group discussions and demonstrations of the ideas discussed in lectures and critical readings
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Introduction to the Course; Ancient Greek Drama | Lectures begin this week. No tutorial/workshops until week 2. *Please sign up for the Tuesday (on-campus) workshop if you think you want to do a group performance for your Week 12 Major Assessment. Students who do not wish to perform will do a Production Concept Book as their Major Assessment. |
2 | Ancient Greek Tragedy, 'Oedipus Rex' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | |
3 | Ancient Greek Comedy, 'Lysistrata' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | |
4 | Medieval and Elizabethan Drama, 'Noah's Flood' and 'The Tempest' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | |
5 | Elizabethan Drama and Shakespeare, 'The Tempest' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | Assessment: Workshop Journal Due this week (Thursday) |
6 | Restoration and C18th Drama, 'The Critic' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | |
7 | C19th Melodrama, C20th Realism, 'A Doll's House' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | Assessment: Essay Due this week (Thursday) |
8 | C20th Realism 'The Cherry Orchard' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | |
9 | C20th Realism 'The Cherry Orchard' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | |
10 | Non-Realism and the Absurd, 'Waiting for Godot' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | |
11 | Non-Realism and Brectian Epic Theatre 'Mother Courage' (Lecture, Tutorial/Workshop) | |
12 | Brecht and Beyond, 'Mother Courage' | Assessment: Performance (Tuesday Workshop) or Production Concept Book (Due Friday) |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|
Weekly participation and contribution to compulsory Tutorial/Workshops | 10 % | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
Written Response to Tutorial/Workshop questions | 10 % | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
Essay | 40 % | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
End of Semester Performance OR Production Concept Book | 40 % | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Weekly participation and contribution to compulsory Tutorial/Workshops
Participation and contribution will be assessed on:
- Demonstrated preparation including evidence of having thought critically about the set readings each week
- Active engagement in class discussions and performance tasks
- Active listening and engagement with the ideas of other students
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Written Response to Tutorial/Workshop questions
Students will submit a written response (max 1,500 words total) to 2 sets of Tutorial/Workshop preparation questions. Tutorial/Workshop preparation questions will be posted on wattle ahead of each Tutorial/Workshop. Students may choose which 2 sets of questions they submit their responses to. Further details will be provided in the course guide, on wattle and in the Week 1 lecture.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4
Essay
Students must write a critical essay on a subject related to ideas raised in the course. Students are expected to incorporate references to scholarly readings on their chosen topic. Essay topics will be posted in the course outline, on wattle.
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
End of Semester Performance OR Production Concept Book
Students must choose one of the following:
Option A
End of semester in-class (recorded) performance task, maximum 20 minutes duration. Performances will be done in Week 12 during the Tuesday workshop time. This is a group performance task using plays studied in the course, or similar works.
*Students who want to perform MUST sign up for the on-campus workshop and attend this workshop throughout semester
Option B
Written project, maximum 1,500 words, with accompanying visual/pictorial information, to be done individually and submitted in Week 12 (Friday). Students choosing this option will outline a directorial concept for a scene chosen from one of the plays studied in the course. Project will include a rational for chosen scene, floor plan indicating chosen staging and scenic design, rehearsal outline and scene annotation showing stage directions for the scene.
*Students from either the on-campus (Tuesday) or on-line (Thursday) workshop may choose this assessment option
Further details of both assessment options will be provided in the detailed course outline (on wattle) and in the Week 1 Lecture
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.
The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.
The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
- Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Rebecca Clode
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Rebecca Clode
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