Course Catalogue

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An examination, through theory and practice, of Beckett's work in performance and its impact across other art forms.

1 x 3 hr seminars per week over 10 weeks, as scheduled on MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in Theatre Studies and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Theatre Studies, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

None

None

Group presentation (20 - 30 minutes) - 50%

Research Trail (3,000 words) - 50%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The course aims to:

■ examine the range of Beckett's work for performance, from early plays to work for film and television.

■ examine through theory and practice the dramaturgical and compositional practices employed by Beckett across his work for performance.

■ explore through practice and experimentation the challenges facing theatre practitioners when preparing Beckett's work for live performance.

■ investigate critical writing on Beckett in order to understand more fully his strategies for making live theatre.

■ investigate and trace the cultural, social and political contexts which frame Beckett's writing for theatre, film and television.

■ examine the contemporary impact of Beckett's work across the landscape of theatre and on other art forms such as film, live art, music and dance.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ apply critical knowledge and understanding of the contextual debates and discourses surrounding Beckett's work for theatre, film and television.

■ understand how Beckett's work for performance was composed, performed and communicated to audiences

■ assemble and deliver a presentation which examines selected aspects of Beckett's practice.

■ understand the key features of how Beckett's work may be realised though live or mediated performance.

■ write critically and analytically around Beckett's strategies for making theatre and work for film and television.

. Students must satisfactorily complete both assessments, participate satisfactorily in classes or workshops (prescribed reading and active participation in workshops) and attend at least 90% of all scheduled activities