Universität Wien

120024 SE Literary Seminar / BA-Arbeit / MA American/North American Lit./Studies (2010W)

Modern American Drama

11.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 18 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Friday 15.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 22.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 29.10. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 05.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 12.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 19.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 26.11. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 03.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 10.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 17.12. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 14.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 21.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
Friday 28.01. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this seminar, we will analyze contemporary American plays that have won awards and critical acclaim in the last thirty years. We will focus on internationally renowned dramatists and interesting plays which may be innovative in their dramatic technique and style but may also link back to the tradition of canonical American drama. The seminar will thus provide a broad survey of recent developments on the American stages and the ways American writers have responded to the social, political and cultural challenges of our time.

Assessment and permitted materials

Seminar paper (20-25 pp.= approx. 9000 - 10000 words), oral presentation; class participation; end test.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students will become acquainted with recent trends in American drama and with some of America's best-known contemporary dramatists.

Examination topics

Interactive; critical readings of literary texts; oral presentations with subsequent discussion in class. Topics will be allotted during the first session on October 15. It is recommended that you think about two or three plays you might want to work on. Please also make sure that any mail sent to your University-email address is forwarded to the email address you regularly check, so that we can contact you about course preliminaries and topics as soon as registration is over. Seminar papers should be handed in when you give the oral presentation (for students with very early topics there will be an exception).

Reading list

Among the authors discussed will be Tony Kushner: Angels in America, Marsha Norman: 'Night, Mother, Suzan-Lori Parks: Topdog/Underdog, August Wilson: The Piano Lesson, Tracy Letts: August, Osage County, Margaret Edson: Wit and David Mamet's recent Broadway hit Race (if the play has appeared in print by then).
All students are required to read Marsha Norman's short play 'The Laundromat' for discussion in the first lesson (October 15), in which we will practise methods and techniques for discussing drama.

Association in the course directory

Studium: Diplom 343, UF 344, BA 612, MA 844;
Code/Modul: 322, 326/328, 336/338, 721-723, 821, BA12, MA5, MA7;
Lehrinhalt: 12-0217

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33