FT3PIC-Playwrights in Context

Module Provider: Film, Theatre and TV
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Vicky Angelaki

Email: v.angelaki@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module will concentrate on representative texts drawn from two playwrights’ work. There will be a change in syllabus for each year in which the module runs, so as to accommodate different possibilities and combinations of writers. Playwrights will be chosen from across different periods and cultures and their combination will be informed by affinities in their range of concerns, themes, formal approaches, artistic sensibilities etc. rather than by chronologies, collaborations or any such parameters. In cases where resources allow this and the content of the module is such (i.e. contemporary playwrights) an effort will be made to invite the playwright(s) taught to speak to students.

Aims:

This module aims to:

• Give students a considerately curated overview of two playwrights’ work


• Enable students to contextualize these playwrights with reference to each other in terms of artistic affinities


• Enable students to contextualize these playwrights with reference to the broader social, political, cultural, historical and artistic contexts that they form part of


• Provide students with advanced, confident and researched knowledge of the work of two seminal practitioners, including in the context of their collaborations with important directors, theatres and companies internationally


• Enable students to hone their critical, theoretical and analytical skills in their contextualization of the playwrights’ work

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the key critical debates relating to the chosen playwrights’ work;


• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of a range of ways that the chosen playwrights have delivered innovation in writing for the theatre;


• Analyse and evaluate individual texts and performance pieces informed by relevant critical and theoretical perspectives;


• Relate their critical understanding of theatre and ideological/artistic approaches to playwriting to a range of other concepts explored by the module, including identity, gender, interventionist strategies, environmentalism, ethics and responsibility, subjectivity and agency.

Additional outcomes:

This module contributes to the development of other skills and competencies which are central to the course, including:

• Oral communication and argument in group situations; 


• Research using printed and electronic resources; 


• Critical analysis and coherent argument; 


• Undertaking self-directed, independent work.

Outline content:

This is a research-led module that will allow students to gain advanced critical knowledge through the thorough examination of the work of two major playwrights, whose theatre has created a paradigm shift in the modern and contemporary period.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Seminars, featuring both tutor- and student-led dialogue. Any external visit(s) will form the subject of detailed class discussion, and will be connected to the assessment.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		18
Tutorials		2
External visits		6
Guided independent study:		174
Total hours by term		200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Oral assessment and presentation	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Successful completion of both assessments with an overall pass mark of 40% or higher

Reassessment arrangements:

Each original assessment will be replaced by one essay, so two essays at 50% each

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Cost	Amount
Required text books	Maximum of £30, in cases where the library is unable to provide the amount of copies required or access to an e-copy
Specialist equipment or materials
Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear
Printing and binding
Computers and devices with a particular specification
Travel, accommodation and subsistence	Maximum of £50 to include return trips to London and ticket costs in theatre seasons where an option is applicable on the basis of module content

Last updated: 8 April 2019