RA2S43 - Performance Analysis and Critical Theory 10 Aug 2017 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: RA2S43
Module Title: Performance Analysis and Critical Theory
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Drama
Module Leader: Jesse Schwenk
Module Team: Matthew Gough
First Intended Intake: SEP 2016 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100069 - drama
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 10 Aug 2017
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To engage students in recent and historical perspectives on how theatre, performance and media-based practices manifest social, political debates.

To draw on analytical positions on performance, theatre and media-based critical theories in order to read, analyse and interpret various texts.

To consider the impact performance, theatre and media-based discourses have within our social and cultural contexts.

To analyse performance, cinematic and artistic texts in relation to their social, historical, cultural and aesthetic contexts.

To prepare to undertake their major research project at level 6.

Content Summary

The module will include a series of lectures, seminars, reading groups, screenings and viewings of live performance. Students will be expected to locate debates surrounding artistic forms within their historical, cultural contexts via selected readings, workshops involving textual analysis and the viewing live and recorded work. Students will initially work in groups to deliver a presentation of their ideas and research on one of the conceptual issues explored, which will then form the basis of their essay. The module is designed to prepare students to undertake the major research project at level 6.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Seminar 32
Tutorial 6
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 50
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 2
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Describe how theatre, film and performance manifest social and critical debate
LO2 Locate and assess artistic developments in their political and cultural contexts

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Oral Assessment (CW) Presentation (CW) 1 Group Presentation - Student will present, in groups, their research on one of the chosen topics in the module. Students will be assessed their ability to communicate a coherent argument, making reference to scholarly sources (9 min). 10 N/A 30 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 1 Students will research, construct and present a coherent argument on their chosen topic from within the module. Students will present their argument using a performance or artwork as an analysis, in written from. 0 2500 70 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (CW) 1
Essay (CW) 1

Reading List

Bial, H (2004) The Performance Studies Reader. Abingdon: Psychology Press

Dixon, S (2007) Digital Performance. MIT Press.

Halberstam, J (2013) Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender and the End of Normal. Boston: Beacon Press

Rancière, J (2011) The Emancipated Spectator. London: Vero.

Woycicki, P (2014) Post Cinematic Performance and Theatre. London: Palgrave MacMillan