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Society of the Spectacle (U02728)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LLC-4-EL0097

This course examines different kinds of theatres that declare political and social critique as their foremost reason of existence. The influence of predecessors like Russian Constructivism and Brecht will be studies. Also the sometimes tense, sometimes creative relationships between these directly political forms of theatre and other avant-garde forms will be examined. During the sixties and seventies the Alternative Theatre movement in Britain, French Situationists, the Happenings in the USA and Europe (Living Theatre, Bread and Puppet Theatre, Laurie Anderson) proposed new ways of relating spectacle to political action. Their legacy will be studied in its historical context as a source of influence on contemporary theatrical practitioners and performance artists.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Passes in English or Scottish Literature 1 and English or Scottish or American Literature 2, with a mark of 50 or above at the first attempt int he second year course. Passes in third year courses in the subject area amounting to at least 40 credits.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : Numbers are limited and students taking degrees not involving English or Scottish literature need the written approval of the head of English Literature

? Costs : Essential course texts.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

English Literature, (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 1 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	15:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students when completing this course should be able:

(a) to create a vocabulary for political theatre
(b) to be made aware of the debates on engagement and autonomy within modernism
(c) to develop a historical perspective on radical performance practices
(d) to highlight the specific historical contexts