Universität Wien
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123220 SE Literary Seminar / BA Paper / MA British/Irish/New English (2024W)

The English Crime Play

11.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Mo 07.10. 12:15-13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19

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).
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Details

max. 20 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

This class is an ONSITE seminar in which regular and active participation is key to students' success. Online participation or hybrid 'listening in' is not possible, and sessions will not be recorded.
You may miss no more than 2 session (i.e. 2x90 minutes of class).

  • Monday 14.10. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 21.10. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 28.10. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 11.11. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 18.11. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 25.11. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 02.12. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 09.12. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 16.12. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 13.01. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 20.01. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19
  • Monday 27.01. 12:15 - 13:45 Raum 4 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-19

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

There's a dead body on the stage, but who did it?
This course deals with the British crime play and its developments from the 1950s to today. We will ask about the conventions of the genre, the role of generic formulae and plot devices, stage histories and the reception of the plays, and the development of the genre from Agatha Christie's crime plays over absurdist versions to parodies and postmodern rewritings.

In the course, we will not only read the plays, but we will equally think about stage techniques and production contexts. Participants should therefore be ready to take part in more creative exercises such as acting or preparing scenes for production.

The course will be project-based: after an input phase, students will be expected to develop their own research questions and, with guidance, develop, present and discuss their projects in the course of the semester. This includes the portfolio tasks which help participants to narrow down their research ideas for their papers as well as create research questions and a thesis statement.

At the end of the class, students will have gained an awareness of the critical debate surrounding the crime play and its development (including the variety and use of genres features), will be able to define and use relevant theoretical positions reflecting the debate in the field and will be able to formulate a research question and make a clear point for their BA thesis or MA paper.

BA students will be assisted in developing relevant research questions for BA theses that use basic methodology and theoretical background. MA students are expected to rely on their more advanced knowledge of texts, theories and methodologies to develop a more independent and more critical research project, also as a way of further developing skills and competences for their MA thesis projects.

Assessment and permitted materials

a) Regular attendance and preparation of session material (students may miss two sessions)
b) General participation in class, including individual contributions, work with a partner as well as work in groups
c) Expert work on assigned readings: each student will be assigned to one source material of the syllabus and provide expert input in the respective session
d) A portfolio of three short writing task that prepare you for your term paper
e) A formal paper of 6.500-8.000 words

Ensure compliance with the standards of good academic practice and the correct application of the techniques of academic work and writing.
Plagiarized and fraudulent performances (also in single tasks or parts of an exam) lead to non-grading of the course (entry of an 'X' in the transcript).
In case of doubt, the course instructor may invite students to a grade-related conversation (plausibility check) about submitted partial performances.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

a) Active participation and contributions in class (including your expert input in your respective session): 20%
b) Portfolio Tasks: 30%
c) Term paper: 50%
Students must attain at least 60% of each to pass the course.

Marks in %:
1 (very good): 90-100%
2 (good): 80-89%
3 (satisfactory): 70-79%
4 (pass): 60-69%
5 (fail): 0-59%

Examination topics

- Input phases combined with group work and classroom discussion
- Student input from your expert session
- Students' written research projects (term paper and portfolio)

Reading list

Primary Texts:
Christie, Agatha (2014 [1952]). The Mousetrap. London: Samuel French.
Shaffer, Anthony (2000 [1970]). Sleuth. London: Marion Boyars Publishers.
Elton, Ben (2005 [1998]). Popcorn. London: Samuel French.
Rankin, Ian and Mark Thomson (2014 [2013]). The Dark Road. London: Orion Books.
Please buy the texts in the editions given.

Theory and Secondary Literature:
Hesse, Beatrix. The English Crime Play in the Twentieth Century. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.
Further secondary literature will be announced at the beginning of term.

Association in the course directory

Studium: BA 612, MA 844(2)
Code/Modul: BA10.2, MA 4.1, 4.2
Lehrinhalt: 12-0449

Last modified: Fr 06.09.2024 13:26