THEA 374: Survey of Drama
Prerequisites: THEA 201 and sophomore standing
Credit Hours: (3)
Undertakes the study and analysis of significant plays from the classical, modern,
and contemporary theatre repertoire. Drawing from theatre practice and script analysis
for production, students examine plays from the global theatre past and present.
Detailed Description of Course
Investigation and analysis of dramatic literature from authors, styles, and historical movements such as:
1. Ancient Greek tragedy and comedy
2. Roman drama
3. Sanskrit Drama
4. Noh Theatre of Japan
5. Chinese Yuan Drama
6. Medieval European drama
7. English, Spanish, and French Renaissance drama
8. English Comedy of Manners
9. Kabuki and Bunraku
10. Melodrama
11. Farce
12. Realism
13. Naturalism
14. Departures from Realism: Modernism/Espressionism/Absurdism
15. Cold War Realism
16. Experimental Theatre
17. African Drama
18. Contemporary Theatre
19. Indigenous theatre
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
• To experience a broad variety of approaches to creating plays
• To converse and write articulately about major plays and authors
• To apply theories of dramatic criticism to a play’s characters, themes, and dramatic
action
• To analyze plays for production and performance
• To respond to dramatic literature conceptually as aspiring directors, writers,
designers, and/or actors
Goals and Objectives of the Course
• To experience a broad variety of approaches to creating plays
• To converse and write articulately about major plays and authors
• To apply theories of dramatic criticism to a play’s characters, themes, and dramatic
action
• To analyze plays for production and performance
• To respond to dramatic literature conceptually as aspiring directors, writers,
designers, and/or actors
Assessment Measures
Measures can include quizzes, tests, individual written responses, oral presentations,
and production concepts.
Other Course Information
Students are required to see all university theatre productions.
Review and Approval
3/2009 Revision Carl Lefko
3/2010 Revision Carl Lefko
July 2010