THET-216 Contemporary Drama: Topics in Diversity
Contemporary Drama studies works written for European and American theater from 1950 until current practice. Students discuss and appraise plays; identify basic elements which distinguish contemporary drama from earlier periods; evaluate performances of contemporary plays; and study what playwrights have said about the nature of drama. Students are introduced to the formalist conventions and characteristics, terms and concepts, and critical theory of drama in order to master skills in interpretation, analysis, and critical evaluation. Students also discuss the impact of gender, race, culture, and sexual orientation studies on dramatic material. This course is writing intensive.