THE BACKGROUND TO THEATRE - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module will engage students in the study of the history of theatre by focusing on key ideas and approaches that have formed the background to its development. Topics to be studied include, but are not restricted to, Humanism in Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romantic and Realist theatres, Marxism, Feminism, Theatre Anthropology, Cognitive, Moral and Evolutionary Psychology, Semiotics, Phenomenology and Postmodern approaches. Exploration of how key concepts shed light upon practice will lead to examination of the aesthetic, communal, moral and political functions of theatre. While the module focuses upon Western cultural traditions to a substantial extent, students nonetheless have the freedom to research and write about themes and examples with global reach.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

TUNSTALL Darren (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Online and Distance study arising from the module material and Essential Reading  texts, as laid out in the module reading list.Topics to be studied include, but are not restricted to: Humanism in Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment and Romantic theatres, Semiotics, Phenomenology, Marxism, Feminism, Theatre Anthropology, Cognitive, Moral and Evolutionary Psychology and Postmodern ideas.


• Seminar sessions amounting to two full days at GSA (also available remotely and online)   to include writing skills, personal tutorials and target setting and the study of application of theories to theatre text and performance

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 (addressing all of the learning outcomes):

• Demonstrate the ability to retrieve and process information and to communicate clearly in writing


• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key theories of performance, theatrical reception and critique


• Apply acquired knowledge and understanding across a broad range of influential theatrical texts and their contexts


• Analyse and evaluate the work of others with critical objectivity


• Analyse and evaluate key theories of performance, theatrical reception and critique

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

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

Formative assessment

Formative Assessment consists of an outline plan for the summative assignment in the students own choice of form, which may include, but is not restricted to an essay plan, poster, PowerPoint or equivalent software presentation, podcast (1000 words or equivalent)

Feedback

Informal formative feedback from tutors will be provided via, but is not restricted to, the virtual learning environment, email exchange, personal tutorials in person or via Skype, or equivalent software.

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

Summative formal written feedback will follow submission of the summative assessment

Module aims

• This module aims to enable students to engage with key concepts in the development of theatre through history, in order to gain and evidence a knowledge of:
• Societal influences upon theatre
• Critical analysis of theatre
• The relationship between the actor and audience
• The construction of stages and performance platforms
• The construction of theatrical and social meaning
• The study undertaken in this module will underpin the work of all of the modules subsequently undertaken.on the programme. Thus, this module aims to give students a grounding in the core background knowledge that will enable them to develop an informed critical understanding of theatre.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Actively engage online and distance learners with core concepts of theatre through a range of learning and teaching strategies


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


• Allow the online and distance learner to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of core concepts of theatre through the structured exploration of performance possibilities and production history of selected texts

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Study based on module content and associated activities via the virtual learning environment.


• Seminar weekend.


• Tutor guided distance learning/independent study based on required purchase texts and online Library resources.

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: TDLM010

Other information

Guildford School of Acting trains students, within their chosen fields, to have an understanding and appreciation of Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas: 

Global and Cultural Capabilities

Through collaboration and research students will engage with a wide range of perspectives and people, guided by supervision to challenge their assumptions and knowledge, and be supported to make ethical and sustainable choices in their research and any practical work. 

Resourcefulness and Resilience

An ethos of self-reflection and self-awareness forms an integral part of the learning journey, developing students’ resilience through collaborative and effective engagement with peer-to-peer observation.

Digital Capabilities

The online delivery of this module is such that students learn to navigate and use the virtual learning environment (SurreyLearn) and other digital resources (such as Drama Online, Digital Theatre+ and Box of Broadcasts) to aid their learning and undertake research. Appropriate use of current digital media and communication platforms is encouraged to engage in critical peer discussions and foster supportive learning networks.

Sustainability

The delivery of this module incorporates the ethos set out by the UN’s 17 sustainability goals. Students engage critically with socio-political contexts and questions surrounding theatre throughout the module.

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 2025/6 academic year.