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Australian Theatre and Performance (ENGL40020)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is a study of Australian performing arts from 1960 to the present with a special focus on the shift from national drama to diversity, and from drama to performance, framed by the changing landscape of Australian culture. We read selected plays in relation to context, genre, and performance history; view DVDs of live performance; engage in online and library-based archival research; undertake detailed textual and performance analysis; and investigate the role of performance as a mediation of cultural life. The subject is arranged in sections including a single-author study of Patrick White; the New Wave of the 1970s; Indigenous Dramatists such as Jack Davis and Jane Harrison; the 21st Century stage including Lally Katz; and postdramatic theatre including Back to Back Theatre and Version 1.0.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- apply interdisciplinary methodologies drawing on aesthetic, cultural, social and economic perspectives to inform an understanding of the creation of dramatic literature and performance;
- understand how Australian drama is an expression of culture and society;
- broaden the understanding of contemporary drama and performance in the contemporary period; and
- debate the contribution of the arts to society.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subejct, students will gain the following generic skills:
- the ability to prepare and present their ideas in both verbal and written mode to an advanced level and in conformity to conventions of academic presentation;
- the ability to participate in discussion and group activities and be sensitive to the participation of others;
- the ability to apply creative and critical thinking in the analysis of artistic works;
- the ability to manage time effectively in the completion of assessment tasks; and
- able to access a broad range of resource material, including traditional text, art works and electronic media.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students must be admitted to the Bachelor of Arts - Honours, Graduate Certificate in Arts, Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced), Graduate Diploma in Arts, or the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) in English and Theatre Studies in order to enrol in this subject. Students in the Master of Arts and Cultural Management may enrol in this subject with the permission of the coordinator.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
It is recommended that students have at least 25 points in Theatre Studies or related area.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A short essay
| Mid semester | 30% |
A final essay
| End of semester | 70% |
All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% (or 10 out of 12) classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Denise Varney Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours A 2-hour seminar per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Andrew Bovell, The Secret River, Currency Press
Alex Buzo, Norm and Ahmed, Currency Press
Justine Campbell, et.al. Endangered Three Plays, Currency Press, 2017
Paul. Capsis, Angela’s Kitchen, Currency Press
Jack Davis, No Sugar, Currency Press, 1986
Peta Hanrahan, A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf, 2019
Lally Katz, Neighbourhood Watch, Currency Press, 2014
Jenny Kemp, Madeleine (Text and DVD Provided)
Leah Purcell, The Drover’s Wife, Currency Press, 2016
William Yang, Sadness (DVD)
Patrick White. Night on Bald Mountain, Currency Press
David Williamson, The Removalists, Currency Press
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Arts and Cultural Management (Advanced) Course Master of Directing for Performance Specialisation (formal) English and Theatre Studies Specialisation (formal) English and Theatre Studies Specialisation (formal) English and Theatre Studies Specialisation (formal) English and Theatre Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS English and Theatre Studies - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022