School of Theatre, Performance and Cultural Policy Studies

TH112 Introduction to Performance Studies

2011-2012

Module Convenor: Tim White

Tutors: Nadine Holdsworth, Janelle Reinelt, Tim White, Nicolas Whybrow, Silvija Jestrovic, James Harding

Lecture: Friday 0930 - 1100 (SO.19)

Seminar: Three groups

Group A: Monday 0915 - 1045 (G52)

Group B: Monday 1100 - 1230 (G52)

Group C: Monday 1300 - 1430 (G52)

Module Description

The aim of the module is to identify and explore the growing field of Performance Studies. Performance Studies works to explain some of the fundamental aspects of performance such as presence, liveness, embodiment, event, and theatricality that have relevance not only to the understanding of theatre, but to other forms of artistic expression and, beyond them, to the encounters that constitute our daily lives.

It also offers an approach to understanding the ways that performance practitioners employ performance modes to unsettle and interrogate questions of identity, belonging and being. Performance Studies both reaches out to, and is adopted by, other disciplines, including ethnography, cultural studies, politics, human geography, and philosophy, that share with it a hunger to comprehend the world. This module will introduce you to some of the key aspects of Performance Studies and guide you though the territory through an exploration of important case studies in the discipline.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module students should be able to:

• Understand what constitutes performance studies, demonstrate an awareness of current discussions and debates in the field and be familiar with the work of a number of innovative movements and practitioners.
• Describe, interpret and evaluate performance across a range of occurrences and sites.
• Show awareness of the interplay between theory and practice within the area of performance studies and of conceptual and creative processes that underpin the understanding and realization of performance.

Assessment

25% Essay 1: 1500 words: Hand-in deadline (esubmission) 4pm Friday 18th November 2011 (Week 7 Autumn Term)

35% Essay 2: 2500 words: Hand-in deadline (esubmission) 4pm Monday 5th March 2012 (Week 9 Spring Term) - NOTE REVISED DATE

40% 2 hour Exam: Date tbc