ENGL07004 2022 Irish Contemporary Drama through the lens of Greek Tragedy

General Details

Full Title
Irish Contemporary Drama through the lens of Greek Tragedy
Transcript Title
Drama 3
Code
ENGL07004
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
ENGL - 0231 Lang Acquisition English
Department
SOCS - Social Sciences
Level
07 - Level 7
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2022 - Full Academic Year 2022-23
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Bernie Meehan, Breda McTaggart, Suzanne Collery, Brenda Feeney, Ailise McDowell
Programme Membership
SG_HENGL_H08 202200 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and Psychology SG_WENGL_H08 202500 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and Psychology SG_WPSYC_H08 202500 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology and English
Description

In this module students are asked to consider the cultural, historical, and political contexts of performance and performance spaces and deepen their knowledge of theatrical form and intertextuality, while moving between Contemporary Irish theatre and the Classical 5th Century Greek Theatre texts that they are based on/inspired by. Students will examine a variety of theoretical perspectives to deepen their understanding of the texts, their performance and reception.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Understand the significance of textual and performance contexts

2.

Explore and critically analyse recurring themes and intertextuality

3.

Analyse the influences of larger historical, cultural and social movements on theatrical form, performance and representation

4.

Present well-informed research in group and individual presentations

5.

Identify and engage with relevant scholarly and journalistic sources when analysing the chosen plays

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The module will be delivered using a number of different strategies, for example seminars, workshops, lectures, student and lecturer led discussions, tutorials.

Module Assessment Strategies

There are two parts to the assessment of this module which is 100% Continuous Assessment.

50% Group Presentation/Project (weeks 6-8).

50% Written Assignment  (end of term).

Repeat Assessments

Repeat requirements will be determined by failed components and will be recorded at Progression and Reward Boards.

Repeat projects will be assigned in the event of a student failing the module.

Indicative Syllabus

Many Irish contemporary dramatists such as Brian Friel, Marina Carr, Frank Mc Guinness, have sought inspiration in 5th Century Greek Tragedy, in the plays of Euripides, Sophocles and Aeschylus and therefore knowledge of the cultural and political world they emerged from is essential to gain a deeper understanding of both 5th Century Greek Tragedy and contemporary Irish dramatists use of it in their plays.  The following are examples of the plays that will be explored: Euripides' Medea, Marina Carr's By the Bog of Cats, Hippolytus (Euripides), Brian Friel Living Quarters, Sophocles Electra, Frank Mc Guinness Electra, Antigone by Sophocles and Tom Paulin's "The Riot Act".

1. Understand the significance of textual and performance contexts

Students will be introduced to the cultural and political world of 5th Century Greek Tragedy, and to the three major tragedians Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus as well as to the performance context of the annual theatre festival dedicated to the god Dionysus and to contemporary performance contexts.. 

2. Explore and critically analyse recurring themes and intertextuality

Through in-depth analysis of the form and recurrent themes prevalent within Greek Tragic texts, students will critically explore how they are used in contemporary Irish theatre texts that are based on them in order to re-examine contemporary issues and problems from a fresh perspective using the lens of Greek Theatre.

3.Analyse the influence of larger historical, cultural, social movements on theatrical form, performance and representation

Students will gain an overview of the influences of the larger historical, cultural, political, religious and social forces that shaped both the worlds of the Ancient Greek playwrights as well as contemporary influences that shape theatrical form, performances and representations.

4. Present well-informed research in groups and individual presentations

Throughout the module students will be expected to contribute to class discussions, research, group and individual presentations that show evidence of engagement with the module.

5. Identify and engage with relevant scholarly and journalistic sources when analysing chosen plays.

Students will show written and verbal evidence of engaging with pertinent theoretical perspectives that critically analyse the intertextuality of the Ancient Greek and Contemporary Irish plays based on them as well as issues such as representation and context.

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Group Presentations Coursework Assessment Group Project 50 % Week 8 1,2,3,4,5
2 End of Semester written assignment Coursework Assessment Assignment 50 % Week 11 1,2,3,5
             

Full Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Flat Classroom weekly lecture 2 Weekly 2.00
Tutorial Flat Classroom weekly tutorial 1 Weekly 1.00
Independent Learning Not Specified Independent Learning 3 Weekly 3.00
Total Full Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 3.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Required Reading
2010 Irish Appropriation of Greek Tragedy Carysford Press

Required Reading
2007 The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology CUP, New York, NY 10013

Recommended Reading
1971 The Greek Tragic Theatre London: Chatto-Windus

Recommended Reading
1997 The Cambridge Companion to Greek Tragedy Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Recommended Reading
2001 Female Acts in Greek Tragedy Princeton/Oxford: Princeton University Press

Required Reading
1998 By the Bog of Cats Oldcastle: Gallery Books,

Required Reading
2001 Theatre and the State in Twentieth Century Ireland London: Routledge

Recommended Reading
1994 Dying Acts: Death in Ancient Greek and Modern Irish Tragic Drama Cork University Press

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources
Journal Resources
URL Resources
Other Resources
Additional Information