Course Details in 2023/24 Session

Module Title	LI Popular Performance
School	Eng, Drama, & Creative Studies
Department	Drama and Theatre Arts
Module Code	09 25150
Module Lead	Caroline Radcliffe
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Seminar-20 hours Guided independent study-180 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	The module will explore different genres of popular performance practice using a critical performance studies mode of analysis. We will ask: ‘what makes a "popular" performance "popular"?- contextualising it and contrasting it within theatre as a whole. We will examine social attitudes and hegemonic influences towards popular performance. We will look at diverse forms, ranging from genres- such as stand-up comedy, pantomime, psychic performances, freak-shows and exhibitions, folk drama and burlesque to crip walking, hip-hop battles and wrestling- analysing their performative, cultural and political roles and examining ideologies including class, gender and race. We will investigate the essentially ephemeral modes of popular entertainment, and we will also work through practice as research towards a short cabaret act of the student's choice.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Interpret and analyse a wide range of popular performance genres Evaluate the socio-historic cultural and political context of popular theatre. Appraise key critical theories of the ‘popular'
Assessment	25150-01 : Essay 1750 words : Coursework (50%) 25150-02 : Group Performance : Presentation (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 50% individual or group performance (3-5 mins per person depending on group size) 50% essay (1750-words) Reassessment: Failed component only 50% individual or group performance (3-5 mins per person depending on group size), which may be submitted as a recording 50% essay (1750-words)
Other
Reading List