Universität Wien

128110 VO Cultural Studies - MA M01 (2019S)

Performance Cultures in Early America

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik

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

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Wednesday 13.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 20.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 27.03. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 03.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 10.04. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 08.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 15.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 22.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 29.05. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 05.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 12.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7
Wednesday 19.06. 16:45 - 18:15 Hörsaal 33 Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 7

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This lecture class explores English-language cultures of theater and performance in early America, from the mid-17th to the early 19th century. It will critically engage with and refute the antitheatrical prejudice that there simply was no American theater culture before the Civil War and introduce students to a select number of popular theatrical texts and performance contexts in colonial America and the early national period. The class will familiarize students with general problems of theater historiography and the ephemeral, and highly site-specific archive of performance, and will then proceed to discuss exemplary dramatic texts and their performances on various stages across the American colonies/the U.S. The lecture class will ask what makes American theater “American,” and will look at how performances negotiated such issues as the American revolution and the question of liberal republicanism; nation building; the role of the American colonies/the U.S. in a changing Atlantic world-system, especially vis-à-vis Britain; questions concerning regional and class difference; questions concerning racial difference, especially with regard to slavery and indigeneity; as well as questions regarding gender and sexual difference.

The lecture will feature two guest lectures, by Prof. Ralph J. Poole (Univ. Salzburg, May 8), and by Prof. Florian Sedlmeier (Univ. Hamburg, May 29)

Students should be familiar with the cultural history of early anglophone America (c. 1607-1815) before the first session. For preparation, any American cultural history will do; for an easy read, I recommend Paul S. Boyer et al., The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People (multiple editions).

Assessment and permitted materials

Final written test covering the lecture content (including guest lectures) as well as the required readings.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Final written test (100%)

The grading scheme is (1): 100-91%, (2): 90-81%, (3): 80-71%, (4): 70-61%, (5): 60-0%

Examination topics

The lecture content (including guest lectures) as well as the required readings.

Reading list

Readings will be provided on Moodle in the course of the semester. Be prepared to read bad reproductions of historical editions (sometimes, there are just no modern editions available).

Association in the course directory

Studium: MA 812 (2); MA 844; UF MA 046
Code: MA (2) M3; MA 844 M01; UF MA 1B; 4A
Lehrinhalt: 12-5260

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33