Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Australian Drama

• Unit Code

  DST3120

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

---

Description

This unit introduces the student to Australian theatre and drama text. Australian theatre history will be examined through the study of key playwrights. An understanding of social and political influences will be explored through this context, including the performance of selected plays.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Create performances using and interpreting Australian play texts.
2. Demonstrate through performance an understanding of the influences on, and developments in, current Australian play text and performance.
3. Demonstrate through their research and performance a clear understanding of Australian performance culture and heritage.
4. Evaluate through presentation the theories and methods used by a range of local and national performance practitioners.
5. Review and analyse their own performance work as well as the work of others.

Unit Content

1. A study of representative Australian play texts and their translation into performance.
2. Development of Australian drama from the late 19th century to the present day.
3. Reviews of professional performances.
4. The manner in which theatre engages ethnicity, gender and region in framing diverse social and cultural issues.
5. The new nationalism of the seventies and notions of cultural criticism.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Practical workshops Seminars

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

Text References

• ^ Nil
• Reinelt, J. & Roach, J. (1992). Critical Theory and Performance. University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor.
• Elam, K. (1980). The Semiotics of Theatre and Drama. Methuen.
• Aston & Savona (1991). Theatre as a sign system. New York, NY: Routledge.
• Birch, D. (1991). The Language of Drama. London: MacMillan.
• Tompkins, J. (2006). Unsettling space: Contestations in contemporary Australian theatre: Studies in international performance. Palgrave, Macmillan.
• Pavis, P. (1992). Theatre at the Crossroads of Culture. New York: Routledge.
• Rees, L. (1978). Australian Drama in the 1970's: A historical and critical survey. Sydney, Australia: Angus & Robertson.
• Brisbane, K. (2005). Not wrong, just different: Observations on the rise of contemporary Australian theatre. Currency Press
• Gilbert, H. (1998). Sightlines: Race, gender, and nation in contemporary Australian theatre. University of Michigan Press.
• Milne, G. (2004). Theatre Australian (un) limited: Australian theatre since the 1950's: Australian playwrights. Editions Rodopi B.V.

Website References

• Nil

^ Mandatory reference

---