Download Multiple authorities

Workers’ Educational Association
The UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult learning
Course Outline
This course outline describes what will be covered in your course.
It also sets out what you should expect to learn. There will be an opportunity for course
members to discuss the course content with the tutor.
Course Title
Theatre Studies: Fathers and Frontiers
Course ID
C2415712
Tutor
Start date
Sept 22nd
2011
Day(s)/time(s)
No. of sessions
20
Hours per
session
Dr. Thomas Crowe
Thursdays 8pm-10pm
2
Fees £140.00
Free on proof of
Income-related benefit
Venue: The Eversfield Centre, 11 Eversfield Gardens
London NW7 2AE
Branch/Partner
Mill Hill WEA
Branch/Partner contact
details
Moira Eagle (020 8959 1230 / 020 8954 1450)
Publicity Description
From playwrights including Shakespeare, Brecht and Frayn, six thematically linked plays
will be read aloud and discussed in terms of their differing theatrical styles. No experience
necessary only an enthusiasm for studying the techniques and theory of theatre with
others.
Course Aims
Six plays dealing with two shared themes will be explored in order to arrive at an
understanding of how they might be interpreted and staged. The plays will be read aloud in
class. The initial choice of playwrights (which might change once the course starts
depending on the requirements of the students) is hoped to included Shakespeare, Ibsen,
Pinter, Brecht, Edgar and Frayn. It will be interesting to analyse the differing theatrical
approaches taken by these playwrights as they address the two themes of Fathers and the
Frontiers of Science in their plays.
Main Topics Covered
* Use of imagery, dialogue, characterisation, setting etc in the plays.
* How to interpret and visualise the final performance from the script
* Concepts of stage design explored through stage directions
* The significance, themes and language of the plays.
* Exploration of performances already staged.
Pre-course preparation, reading, internet research etc. - None
Essential costs/materials
The plays have been selected to be easily obtainable and it is hoped that sets of each play
might be available from the local library. In the case of some plays to be read, students
might wish to purchase or find their own copies of the play. If you have difficulty meeting
these costs please see the leaflet Services for Learners.
N.B. - it would be unwise to buy any of the plays before the course starts, as the choice of
plays to be studied might change through negotiations between tutor and students during
the course.
Entry Requirements/Level
* No previous knowledge needed only enthusiasm for this subject
* Participation in reading aloud and further discussion.
* Background reading as appropriate.
* Further practical work as needed.
This course is placed at Level 3.
Qualification gained
n/a
Awarding Body
n/a
Teaching and learning methods used
* The plays will be explored through discussions, ‘read-throughs’ and by workshopping
various scenes.
* Students encouraged to bring resource and printed materials (such as reviews and
articles) to each
session to inform the ‘Resources and Reviews and Flyers’ Table
* Question and answer sessions.
* Practical exercises (possibly including playwriting, set design pictures etc.)
* Limited classroom staging of key scenes to explore the effect of the play on-stage
* Some Tutor led talks
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course learners will be able to:
1. demonstrate increased skill and confidence in reading aloud.
2. think theatrically in approaching a text.
3. appreciate the dramatic literature in its context.
4. develop an understanding of basic theatrical techniques.(e.g. rehearsal methods,
directing, designing, acting, playwriting etc.)
How do you know you are learning?
By progress in class readings, feedback from the tutor and by making contributions to
discussion and asking the tutor to clarify any questions you might have about topics
raised during each session.
Your Learner Record will ask you to consider how far you feel you have progressed.
Suggested Further Study and Progression Routes
* The next course studying further periods of theatre history with this group.
* Further more advanced courses in theatre and drama
* Increased enjoyment of theatre and going to more productions.
Brief tutor profile
Thomas Crowe has a Ph.D. in Theatre Studies. He is a playwright whose work has been
produced in London Theatres and commissioned for broadcast by the BBC Radio Drama
Department. He has been teaching for the WEA for more than 10 years.
If you would like more information about other WEA courses, please contact
The WEA is committed to equality of opportunity and inclusive learning.
WEA London and Southern Regions' Support Centre
57 Riverside 2, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Rochester, Kent ME2 4DP
Tel: 01634 298600 Fax: 01634 298601 email: london&[email protected]
The Workers' Educational Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (number 1112775) and in
Scotland (number SC039239) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 2806910)