(SOCE) Modern Drama 當代戲劇 Fall 2008
Prof. Cecilia H. C. Liu cecilia@mail.fju.edu.tw Office: LC301 (2905-3673)
This course will offer students a unique opening into the experience and meaning of drama. The plays we are going to read have been selected primarily for their artistic greatness and themes they deal with. We will have extended discussions of representative works of well-known contemporary playwrights, such as Heiner Muller, John Guare, A. R. Gurney, Peter Shaffer, Willy Russell, and Tony Kushner. Available video taped productions by each playwright will be shown in class. Class format is arranged to feature students’ input from reading and conducted by group reports and discussions. I hope, in this class, you will expand your imagination and find a new dimension of interest in your life.
Reading lists:
Heiner Muller Hamletmachine (1979)
Willy Russell Shirley Valentine (1988) (Film) A. R. Gurney Love Letters (1990)
John Guare Six Degrees of Separation (1990) (Film) Peter Shaffer The Gift of the Gorgon (1992)
Tony Kushner Angels in America Part I (1995) (Film)
Requirements: Regular attendance with preparation, class participation and presentations; Midterm and Final Exams
1. Attendance: You’ll automatically fail this course on your THIRD absence. TWO late arrivals or early departures constitute one absence.
2. Group presentations: 3-4 people form a group. Each group needs to sign up for TWO presentation topics. At the time of the presentation, each group will provide a one-page handout to the class that consists of a written summary of the text(s) assigned and discussion questions. The group members will also be responsible for responding to the teacher’s questions on that day.
Grading system:
Class attendance, group presentation and discussion 40%
Reading journals, Midterm & Final Exam 60%
Reference:
http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/iacd_2005F/modern_drama/
http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/iacd_2006F/modern_drama/
Schedule (Fall 2006)
Date Reading Assignments Presentations 9-19 Introduction to the course; types, theories & criticisms
Self, Gender, Race, Society…
9-26 John Guare: Six Degrees of Separation (1990) 10- 3 John Guare: Six Degrees of Separation (Film clips)
10-10 No Class
10-17 Willy Russell: Shirley Valentine (1988) 10-24 Willy Russell: Shirley Valentine (Film clips) 10-31 A. R. Gurney: Love Letters (1990) 11-07 A. R. Gurney: Love Letters (Film clips)
11-14 Review and Discussion 11-21 Midterm
11-28 Heiner Muller: Hamletmachine (1979) 12- 5 Heiner Muller: Hamletmachine (1979) 12-12 Theater-going: Hair
12-19 Peter Shaffer: The Gift of the Gorgon (1992) 12-26 Peter Shaffer: The Gift of the Gorgon (1992)
1- 2 Tony Kushner: Angels in America Part I (1995) 1- 9 Tony Kushner: Angels in America (Film) 1-16 Final Exam: Presentation
