The Society of the Spectacle (U02918)

? 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 : Knowledge of modernist theatre history and a grounding in cultural theory is desirable but not necessary.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : Numbers are limited to 15, with priority given to students taking degrees involving English or Scottish Literature and Visiting Students placed by the Admissions Office. Students not in these categories need the written approval of the Head of English Literature before enrolling. In the case of excess applications places will be decided by ballot.

? 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	Thursday	09:00	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

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