FT1RFT: Radical Forms in Theatre and Performance

Module code: FT1RFT

Module provider: Film, Theatre and TV; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Lucy Tyler, email: l.s.tyler@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 27 June 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims: 

• To introduce students to the history, traditions and practices of radical theatre making 
• To acquaint students with theoretical perspectives that will enable them to effectively analyse experimental performance practices. 
• To enable students to appreciate the cultural, political, and aesthetic significance of radical experimentation in theatre and performance. 
• To support students in developing and expressing critical understanding through creative practice and risk-taking, both in class and in final assessments. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Locate specific practitioners and practices securely within the historical trajectory of radical and experimental theatre and performance;
2. Identify and appraise the impact of these histories on contemporary theatre and performance practice;
3. Evaluate and apply key theoretical perspectives regarding radical forms and practices;
4. Employ critical and practical strategies in the creation of experimental performative presentation;
5. Evidence the ability to work collaboratively in producing performance projects, and autonomously in the regular maintenance of their written work.

Module content

This module explores the history of a range of practices which existed, and continue to exist, in opposition to dominant conventions in theatre and performance. Taking the relationship between modernism and the theatrical avant-garde as a starting point, the forms will explore may include Naturalism, Expressionism, Symbolism, Dada and the Absurd, paying close attention to their specific historical contexts.  We then move on to consider more recent practices such as feminist performance art, post-colonial intervention, physical and dance theatres, and site-specific and immersive practices.  

Throughout, we will discuss broader themes including the effectiveness of anti-realist practices, post-dramatic strategies, and the politics of autobiography in constructing cultural identity. The programme varies from year to year to take account of current practice and critical debate, but practitioners frequently studied include playwrights such as Maurice Maeterlinck, Ernst Toller, Samuel Beckett, Aimé Césaire, Ntozake Shange and Caryl Churchill, and practitioners such as Yoko Ono, Pina Bausch, Forced Entertainment, Rimini Protokoll, Punch Drunk and Bobby Baker.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures will introduce the students to new theoretical concepts and critical approaches which will be tested out in seminars/workshops in the discussion and practical exploration of theatre texts/performances. Screenings are an integral part of the module. A theatre trip may be arranged if a relevant performance is available. 

Study hours

At least 27 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Oral feedback from staff and peers will be given following in class experiments.  

Reassessment

Additional costs