Overview
In this unit you will study the development and structure of various theatre styles from the second half of the twentieth century to the present. Beginning with the dada and surrealist theatre movements in the twentieth century, you will explore the theatre of cruelty, the theatre of the absurd and post-modern theatre trends to the present day. You will analyse important primary sources while studying the broader political, social and cultural contexts as they apply to the history of theatrical performance practice during this period.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2020
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluation
Assessment weighting
The weighting of assessment items will be considered in the light of the learning outcomes for this unit.
- Discuss the development and structure of various theatre styles from the mid twentieth century to the present
- Articulate attributes of performance practice relating to various theatre styles from the mid twentieth century to the present
- Relate the performance practices of the various theatre styles from the mid twentieth century to the present to their broader political, social, and cultural contexts.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||
| 3 - Presentation - 40% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Presentation - 40% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.brown@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2020Module/Topic
Topic 1: Symbolism to surrealism
Chapter
Topic 1 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2020Module/Topic
Topic 2: The theatre of cruelty
Chapter
Topic 2 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2020Module/Topic
Topic 2: The theatre of cruelty
Chapter
Topic 2 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Topic 3: The theatre of the absurd
Chapter
Topic 3 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Topic 4: New trends in theatre
Chapter
Topic 4 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Topic 4: New trends in theatre
Chapter
Topic 4 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2020Module/Topic
Self-directed study to complete assignments.
Chapter
Topic 1 - 4 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Self-directed study to complete assignments.
Chapter
Topic 1 - 4 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Self-directed study to complete assignments.
Chapter
Topic 1 - 4 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Self-directed study to complete assignments.
Chapter
Topic 1 - 4 study notes provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Bachelor of Theatre practical assessment week
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Bachelor of Theatre intensive production period for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood". No tutorials during this period.
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Bachelor of Theatre intensive production period for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood". No tutorials during this period.
Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Bachelor of Theatre intensive production period for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood". No tutorials during this period.
Bachelor of Theatre intensive production period for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" in Weeks 12, 13 and 14. No tutorials during this period.
1 Written Assessment
Length: 1000 - 1500 words
The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Task: Read The Theatre and its Double by Antonin Artaud. You will find this in Topic 2 of this Moodle unit.
After reading this work by Antonin Artaud, think about a production that you have been involved in during the last 3 years at CQUniversity. Describe how this production could be re-imagined observing the principles of Antonin Artaud's manifesto for theatre as it appears in The Theatre and its Double.
- You will need to use diagrams and pictures to support your discussion and each element of the production should be linked, using in-text references, to some aspect of Artaud's manifesto.
- You may also refer to secondary sources on the Theatre of Cruelty, and these should also be referenced with both in-text references and included in the reference list.
- Do not feel you are limited by any perceived financial constraints, but your re-imagining should be physically possible to achieve.
Presentation:
- This assignment is to be saved as a Word document and submitted online through the course website.
- Use 12 point Times New Roman font.
- 1.5 spacing throughout
- Sub-headings may be used as appropriate.
- All excerpts from primary sources, including diagrams and pictures should include an in-text reference, and full details included in the Reference List.
- Do not rely solely on web-based sources. On-line research sources obtained from peer reviewed journals or academic databases are acceptable. Any internet sources used must be scholarly and accredited. Citations from Wikipedia, Sparksnotes, or similar websites are not to be used under any circumstances.
Week 4 Monday (3 Aug 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Friday (28 Aug 2020)
- Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
- Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (25%)
- Appropriate use of primary and secondary sources to support the argument (20%)
- Ability to present the argument clearly and logically (25%)
- Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out (10%)
- Correct use of APA style for the in-text referencing and reference list (10%)
- Discuss the development and structure of various theatre styles from the mid twentieth century to the present
- Relate the performance practices of the various theatre styles from the mid twentieth century to the present to their broader political, social, and cultural contexts.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
2 Written Assessment
Length: 1000 - 1500 words
The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Task: Write an essay to compare and contrast epic theatre and theatre of the absurd. With reference to specific plays and playwrights in both styles discuss:
- underlying philosophy and purpose
- approaches to text
- approaches to staging
You should include examples from various scripts to support your discussion (primary sources) and also comments from secondary sources (books and journal articles) to support your answer.
Presentation:
- This assignment is to be saved as a Word document and submitted online through the course website.
- Use 12 point Times New Roman font.
- 1.5 spacing throughout
- Sub-headings may be used as appropriate.
- All excerpts from primary sources, including diagrams and pictures should include an in-text reference, and full details included in the Reference List.
- Do not rely solely on web-based sources. On-line research sources obtained from peer reviewed journals or academic databases are acceptable. Any internet sources used must be scholarly and accredited. Citations from Wikipedia, Sparksnotes, or similar websites are not to be used under any circumstances.
Week 7 Monday (31 Aug 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 9 Friday (18 Sept 2020)
- Clear introduction and conclusion (10%)
- Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (25%)
- Appropriate use of primary and secondary sources to support the argument (20%)
- Ability to present the argument clearly and logically (25%)
- Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out (10%)
- Correct use of APA style for the in-text referencing and reference list (10%)
- Discuss the development and structure of various theatre styles from the mid twentieth century to the present
- Relate the performance practices of the various theatre styles from the mid twentieth century to the present to their broader political, social, and cultural contexts.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
3 Presentation
Present a case study on a post-modern (1960 to the present day) theatre practitioner. You can select either a director, writer, choreographer, or a creative practitioner whose work is a combination of these roles.
This presentation will be given to this class as a whole, so please select your case study early and check with the lecturer first so that there are no double-ups.
In your presentation, answer the following questions:
- Describe their unique creative processes and influences.
- Give an account of the social and cultural factors that influenced them.
- What made their work truly innovative or avant-garde?
- How did their work affect society and subsequent artistic practices?
- 15 minutes spoken presentation with 5 minutes for questions from the audience and lecturer.
- The presentation should include a Powerpoint with a maximum of 12 slides, including a title slide with your name and title of the case study.
- You may use text and images only.
- Do not use videos or audio files, but rather explain the work of this practitioner in your presentation.
- At the end of the presentation, you must submit the powerpoint slides and your narrative and notes as a Word document to the Moodle site for assessment. This narrative must include a reference list.
- Do not just read your document to the audience, but use your notes only as a guide.
- A timetable of assigned presentation times will be uploaded to Moodle shortly after census date.
- All technological issues are your responsibility.
Week 10 Monday (21 Sept 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2020)
- Clear introduction and conclusion for the presentation (10%)
- Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (25%)
- Appropriate and clear Powerpoint presentation to support the argument (20%)
- Ability to present the argument clearly and logically during the spoken presentation (25%)
- Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out for written narrative (10%)
- Correct use of APA style for the in-text referencing and reference list for written narrative (10%)
- Articulate attributes of performance practice relating to various theatre styles from the mid twentieth century to the present
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
