Unit Outline

How can you play around with a play? This unit explores the evolution and interpretation of dramatic texts, using the concept of play to explore the range of interpretive practices that move the text from page to stage. Working with a range of texts, both classical and contemporary, you will analyse how theatrical texts have developed historically, and how texts speak to each other within the theatrical canon. These traditional modes of textual analysis will then inform a deeper critical engagement with the varied ways that theatrical texts are interpreted and performed through vocal delivery, physical movement, spatial design, lighting, sound, and other various dramaturgical practices. In this subject you will develop skills to draw out the themes and ideas in texts, as well as their social and historical contexts through scholarly research, and put these into practice through interpretive performance.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	demonstrate knowledge of critical theory and industry practice related to the interpretation of texts for performance.
2.	critically compare a range of texts for performance.
3.	analyse the realisation of theatrical texts with reference to their social, cultural and historical contexts.
4.	identify the social and ethical issues that inform and are embedded in texts for performance.
5.	develop skills in the use of creative practice to inform the interpretation of texts.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	FPB130 Performance Skills or FPB114 Dramatic Interactions AND FPB132 The Theatre Machine or FPB144 Movement for Performers

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Performative Reading and Exegesis.	Week 2	25 %	LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Performance	Week 9	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Scholarly Essay	Week 14	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Performative Reading and Exegesis.

Task Description:

Working in pairs, students will be assigned to one week during semester. In class, during this week, the pairs will present a ‘performative reading’ and exegesis responding to theatrical text assigned to that week.
The exegesis of 750 words should address:
- Information uncovered in their reading and research of the text, and its contexts
- Their interpretation of the text
- How they have attempted to convey this interpretation in their performative reading.

Students will select one of the texts, and present in from week 2 on.

Task Length:

3-5 minute excerpt performance reading 5-10 minute contextual and interpretive exegesis (with notes totaling 750 words written, and submitted to MyLO dropbox).

Due Date:

Week 2

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Investigate the social and historical context of the selected text through research.	LO1, LO3, LO4
2	Construct a critical interpretation of the text, drawn from selected excerpt.	LO1, LO3, LO4
3	Dramatize the critical interpretation and contextual research in performance.	LO1, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Performance

Task Description:

Speaking Texts without Speaking.
Students are given broad scope to develop a short performance or installation responding to a text covered in semester.
Students must produce an accompanying artist statement outlining their rationale behind their project and its intention.

Task Length:

3-minute length for durational works. Accompanying artist statement 300 words

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Arrange and integrate theatrical elements as part of a performance.	LO1, LO2, LO5
2	Construct a thematically and formally coherent performance.	LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
3	Develop an original performance or installation that synthesizes a central theme from the selected source text.	LO1, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 3: Scholarly Essay

Task Description:

Critical Analysis: You will write a critical analysis that analyses and compares two texts explored throughout the semester, with attention to social and historical contexts, ideologies, intertextuality, content and form. You will be provided with a set of prompts to scaffold your analysis, and may propose your own topics for approval by the Unit Coordinator. You must write on at least one text that you have not used in assessment tasks 1 or 2.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and discuss peer reviewed and reputable scholarship and criticism pertaining to the selected texts.	LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5
2	Analyse and compare the selected texts.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
3	Formulate a clear and coherent analysis.	LO2, LO4, LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.