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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: Classical Greek Theatre
Course ID
C2415714
Tutor
Start date
Sept 27th
2011
Day(s)/time(s)
No. of sessions
10
Hours
2
per
session
Branch/Partner
WEA Walthamstow Branch
Branch/Partner
contact details
[email protected]
Dr. Thomas Crowe
Tuesdays 10am -12 noon
Fees
£70
Concession Free on proof of
Income-related benefit
Venue: The Greenleaf Centre, 67-69 Greenleaf Road, Walthamstow, E17 6QP
Publicity Description
The three Theban plays by Sophocles will be read aloud, in translation, and discussed.
Each is a classic model of what Tragedy means. No experience necessary only an
enthusiasm for studying the techniques and theory of theatre with others.
Course Aims
Born in 465 BC, Sophocles wrote over a hundred plays. The Theban Plays comprise
Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone. Each play is a classic model of what
Tragedy means. The events play themselves out ruthlessly to their fatal conclusions.
These Classical Greek plays have provided the structure for many of the world's greatest
dramatists - Shakespeare and Beckett being but two. This course will explore how these
plays function and how they each manage to deliver such powerful and emotional imagery
to the audience. By exploring the translated scripts of these plays, reading extracts and
discussing the plays in terms of dialogue, character and structure in a contemporary
context students will gain an understanding of how Sophocles' plays might be staged and
performed. No previous experience is necessary only an enthusiasm for studying the
techniques and theory of theatre with others.
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.
The plays to be studied will be in:
Sophocles
'The Theban Plays'
Any publisher, Any translation.
(please see 'Essential costs/ materials' below before trying to obtain this book)
Essential costs/materials
There is usually a theatre visit to an appropriate London production. This is organised and
tickets paid for by the students themselves. Sometimes a visit is not possible due to
various factors, but it is nice if a group can get to see and talk about a current production.
The theatre visit is not obligatory, but some sessions of the course might be devoted to
discussion and feedback concerning the production. The WEA is not responsible for the
visit.
It is hoped that the plays to be studied might all be found in one volume. It is advisable
NOT to buy the book before speaking to the class secretary at the start of the course.
In practice any text of the selected play(s) is acceptable. Students do not need the same
edition.
There are always many editions of the same play available. Hopefully the plays will be
fairly easy to obtain either through bookshops or local libraries.
If you have difficulty meeting these costs please see the leaflet Services for Learners.
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
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)
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. demonstrate an appreciation of 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
WEA London and Southern Regions’ Support Centre.
You can now enrol and pay online. Go to: www.wea.org.uk
S:\WEAMISdata\LN\Outlines\C2415714_outline.doc
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)