Course: American drama

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Course title American drama
Course code UMJL/E6DRA
Organizational form of instruction Seminar
Level of course unspecified
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction English
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Sampey Daniel Paul, MFA
Course content
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 theater tradition. History and themes of American literature and theater 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, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1947) 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) 11-14) Final group presentations

Learning activities and teaching methods
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
prerequisite
Knowledge
Students should have a basic knowledge of the history and culture of the United States.
Students should have a basic knowledge of the history and culture of the United States.
Skills
The minimum English language level is CEFL B2 to register for the seminar.
The minimum English language level is CEFL B2 to register for the seminar.
learning outcomes
Knowledge
identify basic terminology related to the drama and culture of the US
identify basic terminology related to the drama and culture of the US
explain how specific dramatic works reflect the cultural changes in the US
explain how specific dramatic works reflect the cultural changes in the US
explain the various functions of drama in American culture and how these functions have changed over the years
explain the various functions of drama in American culture and how these functions have changed over the years
develop deeper knowledge regarding one playwright and one play
develop deeper knowledge regarding one playwright and one play
Skills
develop skills in researching and discussing information regarding specific works
develop skills in researching and discussing information regarding specific works
develop skills in researching and discussing information regarding specific playwrights and associated authors
develop skills in researching and discussing information regarding specific playwrights and associated authors
develop skills in researching and discussing information regarding specific cultural issues
develop skills in researching and discussing information regarding specific cultural issues
develop skills in researching and discussing information regarding changes in cultural periods
develop skills in researching and discussing information regarding changes in cultural periods
develop the ability to express one's own ideas and opinions coherently in English
develop the ability to express one's own ideas and opinions coherently in English
teaching methods
Knowledge
Teamwork
Teamwork
Text analysis
Text analysis
Activating (Simulation, games, dramatization)
Activating (Simulation, games, dramatization)
Dialogic (Discussion, conversation, brainstorming)
Dialogic (Discussion, conversation, brainstorming)
Skills
Analysis of a work of art
Analysis of a work of art
Methods for working with texts (Textbook, book)
Methods for working with texts (Textbook, book)
Text analysis
Text analysis
assessment methods
Knowledge
Preparation of a presentation, giving a presentation
Preparation of a presentation, giving a presentation
Preparation of a presentation
Preparation of a presentation
Essay
Essay
Recommended literature
  • Richardson, G.; Watt, S. American Drama: Colonial To Contemporary. Boston: Thomson Custom, 1995. ISBN 0155000039.
  • Sampey D. Language Usage Guidelines for EFL Students. 2020.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester