2:30p-3:45p MW 3 cr. hrs.
This section fulfills AHLA and CSB requirements.
This course surveys the theatre history and dramatic literature of Restoration England (1660-1700), Europe and America in the 18th century, 19th century Romanticism and melodrama in Europe and the United States, as well as Western theatre and drama from the time of Ibsen to the present. The theatre is examined as both an artistic and humanistic discipline. Significant plays, playwrights, actors, designers, directors, producers, and other theatre artists, along with production methods, theatre architecture, and dramatic theory are placed in their historical, political, artistic, social, philosophical and religious contexts. Throughout the process, however, we will give special attention to theatrical space and the semiotic possibilities of places of performance and the kinds of plays performed in those spaces. It is hoped that the student will leave this course not only with a better understanding of theatre and drama in their historical setting, but with the ability to make important connections between theatre of the past and our current experiences with theatre, the other fine and performing arts, and our contemporary life styles.