This course brings together queer theory with theatre studies to examine the practices, conventions and contexts of performance in the UK and on the international stage. Though grounded in queer theory's interrogation of cultural norms for sexuality and subjectivity, this course explores how ideas of 'queerness' might inform our understanding of a wide range of 'exceptional' subjects in performance - including (but not limited to) martyrs, monsters, prophets and anti-heroes.

10 x weekly sessions of 3 hours duration as scheduled on MyCampus.

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Coursework

1 X 3500 Word Research Essay (70%)

1 X individual contributions to group Annotated Bibliography (totalling 1,500 words) (30%)

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. 

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ introduce students to some of the key ideas, theorists and practitioners within the field of queer theory and performance, and the critical genealogy of that work;

■ examine the claims of queer theory in response to the staging of gender, sexuality and subjectivity within specific traditions and contexts of performance;

■ explore the discourse of exceptionality as a frame for examining anti-normative performance practices and theatrical representations.

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

■ articulate key arguments from the field of queer theory, and apply those ideas in the critical study of contemporary British and international performance practice;

■ describe and assess the usefulness of a queer theoretical perspective for theatre studies in the study of sexuality, subjectivity and beyond;

■ demonstrate an ability to produce a research-driven essay and presentation which reflects the multi-disciplinary field of queer theory,

■ apply frames of reference outside of the domain of theatre studies to analyse performance.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.