The interwar years (1918-1939), while dealing with the aftermath of hitherto unknown mass destruction and the advent of totalitarian systems, were nevertheless characterised by an exceptional vibrancy across various fields of cultural activity - music, theatre, and the fine arts. This course will discuss and evaluate these practices in relation to a number of critical approaches and various national contexts, focusing on Europe and the Americas.

7 sessions of 3 hours duration.

Interwar Cultures 30 Credits THEATRE4101

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

• Essay (2,500 words) - 50%

• Seminar presentation of 10 minutes + 5 minute discussion - 50%

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 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 seminar presentation.

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

It is the default expectation that all courses will offer opportunities for reassessment or deferred assessment. Where it is not possible to offer this in some assessment components, the grade achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade, and any exceptions for this course are described below.

[No exceptions]

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ Introduce students to histories of various aspects of interwar cultural practices in theatre, music, arts, architecture, etc. as well as to the related fields in history, politics, and sociology;

■ Encourage critical exploration of concepts and practices of culture and discourses around the arts with specific regard to the historical moments in which these theories and practices were formulated;

■ Develop interdisciplinary analytic and research skills for students to examine cultural practices in interwar societies.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically analyse key issues of interwar culture and apply theories and models of cultural practices;

■ Analyse how interwar culture might relate to and inform wider discourses around culture, politics, and economics;

■ Present ideas critically, clearly and coherently in an academic essay, developing well-structured arguments, and observing the disciplines of referencing, footnoting and bibliography;

■ Produce and deliver a presentation on a chosen subject within the parameters of the course that stimulates group discussion and facilitates and encourages further study.