Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA Academy of Performing Arts

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

  History of Musical Theatre

• Unit Code

  MTH1113

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  10

• Full Year Unit

  Y

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit provides a detailed history of musical theatre in America, Britain and Australia. The unit tracks the evolution of the art form through the definitive styles and eras, with a focus on the major composers and performances.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded MTH2113

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Articulate the definitive performing styles of the genre using appropriate language and technology.
2. Produce written work demonstrating a detailed knowledge of the musical and theatrical elements of the various forms of musical theatre over this period.
3. Recognise aurally the definitive musical theatre styles.
4. Relate the style to a particular composer and/or era.
5. Research and increase music theatre knowledge via texts and videos/DVD's.

Unit Content

1. A sequential examination of American, British and Australian music theatre repertoire through the decades of the 20th century and into the 21st century.
2. An examination of music theatre history, starting from its earliest beginnings in operetta.
3. Project and practical work involving selected repertoire.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures (involving the use of DVDs and CDs), workshops.

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail 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.

Text References

• Henderson, A. (1996). Red hot & blue: A Smithsonian salute to the American musical. Washington: Smithsonian.
• Hischak, T. (2008). The Oxford companion to the American musical. Oxford: OUP.
• Ilson, C. (1992). Harold Prince: From Pajama Game to Phantom of the Opera, and beyond. New York: Limelight.
• Kenrick, J. (2008). Musical theatre: A history. London: Continuum.
• Mordden, E. (2004). The happiest corpse I've ever seen: The last 25 years of the Broadway musical. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Patinkin, S. (2008). "No legs, no jokes, no chance": A history of the American musical theatre. Evanston: NW University Press.
• Steyn, M. (1997). Broadway babies say goodnight: Musicals then and now. London: Faber.
• Mordden, E. (1999). Beautiful mornin': The Broadway musical in the 1940's. Oxford: OUP.

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