POLITICAL THEATRE - 2025/6

Module Overview

Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of how politics shapes and influences theatre, performance and dramatic texts. Areas of study may include agit-prop, Ensemble, global, LGBTQ, and feminist theatres.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

WAGNER Matthew (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Students will take this module alongside Musical Theatre TDL3011, Theories of Performance TDL3008, Contemporary Performer Training TDL3009 and Professional Development Planning TDL3012

Module content

Indicative content includes: -

Home-based study on the module material and online reading requirements. Areas of study may include agit-prop theatre, Ensemble theatre, Global theatre, Feminist theatre, LGBTQ theatre.

Seminar sessions at GSA to include application of practices to modern theatre training and performance, writings skills, and group tutorials.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to

• Provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the following through their formal written summative submission, in addition to their engagement with the formative assessment, module content and associated activities:
  
  
  
  
  • Develop knowledge and understanding of the impact of past traditions upon contemporary practices. (K)
  
  
  • Identify and discuss key historical and contemporary productions of theatrical significance. (K)
  
  
  • Identify and engage in appropriate independent research demonstrating an awareness and understanding of relevant cultural contexts. (C)
  
  
  • Critically analyse and evaluate dramatic texts within their theatrical, historical, and social context. (C)
  
  
  • Apply a range of critical methods to theatrical representation and express the results cogently, both in writing and presentation. (C)
  
  
  • Identify areas of interest within performance and theatre industry, evaluate current practices and create possible solutions. (C)
  
  
  • Communicate clearly in writing. (T)
  
  
  • Formulate and communicate objective responses. (T)
  
  
  • Understand and objectively act on constructive criticism. (T)
  
  
  
  

 

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• 2,500 word essay in response to a set question/task OR


• 7min documentary-style video submission & transcript.

 

And the formative assessment and feedback consists of:

An outline plan for the summative assignment in the student’s own choice of form, which may include, but not restricted to:

• Essay plan


• Poster


• PowerPoint or equivalent software presentation


• Podcast

Informal formative feedback from tutors will be provided by, but not restricted to:

• VLE written feedback


• Email exchange


• Personal tutorials in person / via Zoom or equivalent software

Ongoing informal formative feedback from the tutor is facilitated by, but not restricted to, structured discussion boards on the VLE and email exchange.

Module aims

• Introduce students to the relationship between politics and performance.
• Explore how theatre has responded to and been shaped by historical, social and political theories and movements.
• Enable students to recognise and engage with the political influences in the shaping of theatre and performance.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Actively engage the online learner with core concepts of key political influences through a range of teaching and learning strategies


• Enable the online learner to access core concepts studied and apply these to selected performance texts.


• Allow the online learner to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the core concepts through structured exploration.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Seminar weekend (5 hours)


• Tutor-guided online learning (60 hours)


• Independent study based on module content via the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment), set texts and online library resources, and associated learning activities (85 hours)

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: TDL3010

Other information

GSA delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.

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 2025/6 academic year.