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Lecturer(s)
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Course content
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Brief history and analysis of American dramatic literature and traditions including important trends and periods as well as important playwrights and their works from the colonial period to the beginning of the 21st century in a cultural and historical context. Following a general overview of the history of American theatre literature and tradition selected issues very specific to American culture are discussed. Students will become familiar with some literary works and cultural epochs this period. Lessons are held in English. Weekly topics discussed in the seminar: 1) The elements of drama, the western theatre tradition. History and themes of American literature and theatre productions from colonial period to the present. (Lecture with a short discussion) 2) From the colonial era to the post-revolutionary period: satire, the influence of romanticism. Royall Tyler, THE CONTRAST (1787) 3) The cultural image of Native Ameicans from the colonial period to the American Civil War. J.A. Stone, METAMORA; OR, THE LAST OF THE WAMPANOAGS (1829) 4) The rise of melodrama and comedy of manners. Anna Cora Mowatt, FASHION (1845) 5) The rise of realism and the "new woman". James A. Herne, MARGARET FLEMING (1890) 6) Expressionism and other experiments (modernism). Sophie Treadwell, MACHINAL (1928) 7) The post-war period. Tennessee Williams, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (1955) 8) African-Americans in the US / "counterculture" / the 60s and 70s. Amiri Baraka, DUTCHMAN (1964) 9) Postmodernism / the education system / the 80s and 90s. David Mamet, OLEANNA (1995) 10) Beyond the 1990s / "performance art" / transhumanism. Karen Finley, WE KEEP OUR VICTIMS READY (1991) Weekly texts will be explained during the seminars.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Dialogic (Discussion, conversation, brainstorming), Activating (Simulation, games, dramatization), Teamwork, Text analysis
- Home preparation for classes
- 40 hours per semester
- Preparation for course credit
- 30 hours per semester
- Participation in classes
- 20 hours per semester
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| learning outcomes |
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| Knowledge |
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| The student is qualified to discuss themes, events and periods of American culture using examples from dramatic literature and theatrical practice. |
| The student is qualified to discuss themes, events and periods of American culture using examples from dramatic literature and theatrical practice. |
| teaching methods |
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| Text analysis |
| Text analysis |
| Dialogic (Discussion, conversation, brainstorming) |
| Dialogic (Discussion, conversation, brainstorming) |
| Teamwork |
| Activating (Simulation, games, dramatization) |
| Activating (Simulation, games, dramatization) |
| Teamwork |
| assessment methods |
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| Preparation of a presentation, giving a presentation |
| Preparation of a presentation, giving a presentation |
| Conversation |
| Conversation |
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Recommended literature
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Richardson, G., Watt, S. American Drama: Colonial To Contemporary. Boston: Thomson Custom. ISBN 0155000039.
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