CONTEMPORARY SHAKESPEARE - 2019/0

Module Overview

This module introduces students to a range of creative and critical strands and debates related to contemporary Shakespearean performance. These may include global and intercultural Shakespeare, adaptations on stage and screen, applied Shakespeare, gender - and colour-blind Shakespeare, cultural politics and ethics. Drawing on relevant critical debates on how and why Shakespeare is performed today within diverse and multicultural societies, students will be able to engage with case-studies of UK and international productions and artists. The module will pay attention to key terms such as diversity, diaspora, hybridity and inclusivity and enable students to draw on these in informed critical analysis and discussion.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

SHAUGHNESSY Robert (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Applied Shakespeare

• Global and intercultural Shakespeare

• Adapted Shakespeare, stage and screen

• Contemporary cultural politics

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

For group presentation - solo presentation

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of contemporary creative and critical strands related to contemporary Shakespeare performance through detailed and informed analysis of case-studies. The first assignment (weight 30%) allows students to articulate, share and debate their initial research focus and ideas within small groups before a joint presentation to the rest of the class. This exercise and the subsequent tutor feedback will help them to further develop the research for their essays (weight 70%)

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• A small group presentation of individual research ideas with attention to where ideas within the group overlap OR provide productive contradiction

• An individual essay on one or more case-studies of own choice

Formative assessment

Students will receive continuous formative feedback throughout the module and a session towards the end of the term after the first assignment will be dedicated individual tutorials to discuss feedback and further directions for the essays. 

Feedback

See above

Module aims

• Provide students with an overview of strands within contemporary Shakespeare performance and scholarship
• Enable students to consider and engage critically with key terms and case-studies related to contemporary Shakespeare in the UK and internationally
• Enable students to analyse performances and cultural events, such as festivals, with attention to contemporary cultural, political and academic debates

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Provide a productive space for critical consideration and discussion of the module’s subject areas, enhancing students’ confidence in articulating their knowledge and critically informed opinion, while responding to others.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Seminars and workshops

• Lectures and guest lectures which may also include screenings of case-studies

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: THE3033

Other information

Under the three term structure that commences from academic year 2019/0 – this module’s delivery falls in Semester 1 due to the teaching occurring in Teaching Block 1.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.