Debating Dramaturgy is a critical and, where appropriate, practical exploration of dramaturgy in a range of historical contexts and frames. The course reviews dramaturgy and dramaturgical practices from the Classical world up to the contemporary period - by way of key theatre debates - and requires students to explore, in a seminar context, a range of primary and secondary texts.

10 x 2hr seminars as scheduled on MyCampus over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Critical essay (3500 words) - 70%

■ Oral presentation of CA (20 minutes) - 30%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the critical essay, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ Recorded presentation or written script of equivalent length as an alternative to the presentation

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

The course aims to:

■ develop and expand students' understanding of dramaturgical ideas and practices from the Classical context to contemporary theatre cultures and practices;

■ engage with a range of critical writing regarding dramaturgical ideas and practices from the Classical context to the present day; and,

■ explore the role of the dramaturge and where appropriate the role of the playwright and/or the theatre critic in a range of theatre making contexts and in a range of historical and geographical locations with reference to a critical literature and, as appropriate, works by and on professional practitioners.

On the successful completion of this course students will be able to:

■ apply a critical knowledge and understanding of the changing role and the work of a dramaturge and as appropriate the playwright and the theatre critic in a range of historical contexts;

■ utilise a critical knowledge and understanding of the changing form and purpose of the play text and its dramaturgies in a range of historical contexts;

■ move effectively between practical and theoretical analysis of all forms of the play text and of historical textual practices;

■ engage critically and analytically with the processes and the impacts of historical dramaturgical practices and debates, both orally and in writing.