English (ENGL) 304
A History of Drama Part II: Modernist Theatre

This version of ENGL 304 closed June 25, 2003. To current version.

Delivery mode: Individualized study
Credits: 3 - Humanities
Prerequisite: ENGL 211 and ENGL 212 or equivalent first year English course(s).
Precluded course: ENGL 300. (ENGL 304 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for ENGL 300.)
Centre: Centre for Language and Literature
Challenge for Credit: ENGL 304 has a Challenge for Credit option.


>> Overview | Outline | Evaluation | Course Materials | Special Course Features
>> Course Fees



Overview

ENGL 304 examines the beginnings of modernism in the plays of Ibsen, Shaw, and Chekhov, with particular attention to the social dynamics of the plays. It examines the Irish Dramatic Movement and the plays of O'Casey and Synge, with reference to the relationship of theatre and nationalism. It analyses the expressionist style of Strindberg and O'Neill, the metatheatre of Pirandello, Shaffer, and MacDonald, and the epic theatre of Brecht. It shows the characteristics of the "Theatre of the Absurd" in plays by Beckett and Pinter, and concludes with an overview of some postmodern stylistic and thematic aspects in contemporary drama.

Outline

  • Act I Social Realism: Towards a Political Theatre
  • Act II Expressionism and Epic Theatre: Personal and Public Voice
  • Act III Modern Drama: The Empty Space

Evaluation

To receive credit for ENGL 304, students must write the final examination and achieve a course composite grade of at least "D" (50 percent). A supplemental examination is available. The weighting of the course assignments is as follows:

Scene Analysis Essay 1 Essay 2 Final Exam Total
10% 25% 25% 40% 100%

Course Materials

Textbooks

Allison, Alexander W., Arthur J. Carr, and Arthur M. Eastman, eds. 1979. Masterpieces of the Drama, 4th ed. New York: Macmillan.

MacDonald, Ann-Marie. 1990. Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet). Toronto: Coach House.

Pinter, Harold. 1982. The Caretaker. London: Methuen (Student Edition).

Other material

The course materials include a study guide and a student manual.

Special Course Features

Many of the plays in ENGL 304 are available on audiotape and videotape from the Athabasca University Library.


Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice.
Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.


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This page was updated by G. Zahara