Key facts
UNE unit code: THEA504
*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2024
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- 6
Unit information
Since the earliest days of human civilisation, theatrical performance has offered insight into the political, cultural and personal issues that affected society during the eras in which they were set. The greatest of these have become the stories we continue to tell ourselves again and again.
When studying this unit you will examine pairs of plays, one canonical and the other a contemporary reimaging or reworking of those classical themes and forms. As the focus is on the development of modern approaches to performance, this unit invites you to analyse the question: 'What is a classic play in performance now?'
By exploring the selected scripts as performance texts, you will develop both your skills of textual analysis and theatre practice.
Intensive schools
Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TBA | TBA | 4 days | Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | Held with THEA304 Intensive School. Starts 10am on the first day. Finishes at 4pm on the final day. The full timetable for the school will be distributed at the first session. This school is for Online students only. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
offered in odd-numbered years
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a sophisticated critical analysis and advanced understanding of major European socio-cultural and theatrical developments since the 5th century BCE;
- demonstrate complex cognitive, technical and/or creative performance skills;
- apply advanced expertise in the research and analysis of primary and secondary sources relating to an interpretation of theatre; and
- communicate complex concepts effectively in written, oral and/or performance forms.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assessment 1 | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Either Structured Forum Tasks or Performance Essay and 1000-word Exegesis On campus students, who choose the performance option, will complete the performance essay task during the trimester. Online students can complete the performance essay task at the intensive school. No. Words: 2500 (equivalent) |
Assessment 2 | Yes | 60% | All offerings | Research Project No. Words: 4000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Richard II
ISBN: 9780199602285
Shakespeare, W., Oxford University Press Critical ed. 2011
Text refers to: All offerings
Waiting for Godot
ISBN: 9780571244591
Beckett, S., Grove Press 2011
Text refers to: All offerings
THEA304/504 Classic Plays
School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, UNE
Text refers to: All offerings
The Island
Fugard, A.,
Text refers to: All offerings
By the Bog of Cats
ISBN: 9780571227662
Carr, M., Faber & Faber 2004
Text refers to: All offerings
Dog Act
Adams, L., Playscripts Inc 2009
Text refers to: All offerings
King Charles III
ISBN: 9781848424418
Bartlett, M., Nick Hern Books 2014
Text refers to: All offerings
Kane: Complete Plays
ISBN: 9780413742605
Kane, S., Methuen Drama 2001
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Tragedy: The Basics
ISBN: 9781138798915
McEvoy, S., Routledge 2016
Text refers to: All offerings
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