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Studies in Theatre

By Prof. Vibha Sharma   |   Aligarh Muslim University
Learners enrolled: 795   |  Exam registration: 84
ABOUT THE COURSE:
I have been a theatre enthusiast and researcher teaching in the Department of English, AMU for over two decades. I aim to present you with a holistic exposure "Studies in Theatre". Welcome to an engaging and enlightening exploration of the fascinating world of drama and performance. This course invites you to embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of theatrical history, theory, and practice, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of the stage.

We will delve into the diverse aspects of theatre, from its ancient origins to its contemporary manifestations. You will gain insights into the dramatic genius of playwrights, the artistry of actors, the visionary direction of productions, and the creative ingenuity of designers. We will also examine the intricate relationship between theatre and society, exploring how this art form reflects and influences the world around us especially in the present digital age.

Our journey will take us from classical Greek tragedies to avant-garde experimental performances, from Shakespearean masterpieces to groundbreaking contemporary works. Along the way, we will take up know-how of writing scripts, dissect performances, and explore the broader cultural, social, and practical contexts that shape the theatrical landscape.

Whether you are a theatre enthusiast or a researcher in the world of drama, this course promises to ignite your passion for the stage, expand your critical thinking skills, and foster a deeper appreciation for the transformative power of theatre. This course is also useful for all literature students who wish to understand deeper this area of study because generally literature departments are not equipped to teach theatre and drama as field-oriented disciplines.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: UG, PG and PhD students across the country pursuing arts and literature programmes of studies. Students from Mass Communication are also intended audience. Freelancers in media can also take up.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Theatre, Music, Film, TV, OTT companies along with Newspapers, Magazines and Online portals.
Summary
Course Status : Completed
Course Type : Elective
Language for course content : English
Duration : 12 weeks
Category :
  • Language
Credit Points : 4
Level : Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date : 22 Jul 2024
End Date : 11 Oct 2024
Enrollment Ends : 05 Aug 2024
Exam Registration Ends : 16 Aug 2024
Exam Date : 25 Oct 2024 IST
ALERT ON EXAM DATE :

Exam date is subject to change.

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.


Page Visits



Course layout

Week 1:  Introduction to Theatre History:
-Overview of the evolution of theatre from ancient civilizations to contemporary times.
Week 2: Theatrical Genres:
-Exploration of different theatrical genres, such as tragedy, comedy, mime, and experimental theatre.
Week 3: Acting and Performance:
-Fundamentals of acting, character development, and techniques for stage presence and expression.
Week 4: Directing and Production:
-The role of the director in shaping a production, including script analysis, blocking, and working with actors and designers
Week 5: Theatre Design and Technology:
-Study of set design, costume design, lighting design, and sound design, as well as the use of technology in contemporary theatre.
Week 6: Performance Movements and Styles:
-Exploration of influential movements and styles, such as realism, surrealism, and postmodernism.
Week 7: Writing in Theatre:
-Plays, Skits, Screenplay, Reviews, Monologues, Sketches, Comedy Acts
Week 8:  Theatre Criticism and Analysis:
-Techniques for critiquing and evaluating theatrical performances, as well as the history of theatre criticism.
Week 9: Contemporary Issues in Theatre:
-Discussion of current trends, challenges, and innovations in the world of theatre, site-specific performances, and emerging forms of storytelling.
Week 10: Theatre and AI:
-An Introduction to Digital Intervention in Theatre
Week 11: Theatre and Employability:
-How to prepare for future avenues in theatre and performance
Week 12: Theatre Research:
-Thesis, paper-writing, article writing and conducting field research in theatre studies

Books and references

Books:
1.Theatre: The Lively Art by Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb
2.The Essential Theatre by Oscar G. Brockett and Robert J. Ball
3.Theatre: Its Art and Craft" by Cynthia M. Gendrich and Stephen Archer
4.The Oxford Illustrated History of Theatre edited by John Russell Brown
5.The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Studies by Christopher B. Balme
6.The Methuen Drama Guide to Contemporary American Playwrights edited by Christopher Bigsby
7.Theatre and Performance Design: A Reader in Scenography" edited by Jane Collins and Andrew Nisbet
8. The Routledge Companion to Theatre and Performance edited by Paul Allain and Jen Harvie
9.The Methuen Drama Dictionary of the Theatre by Jonathan Law
10.Theater of War: What Ancient Greek Tragedies Can Teach Us Today by Bryan Doerries

 Academic Journals:
1. Theatre Journal - Published by Johns Hopkins University Press
2. The Drama Review (TDR) - Published by The MIT Press
3. New Theatre Quarterly - Published by Cambridge University Press
4. Theatre Research International - Published by Cambridge University Press
5. Performance Research - Published by Routledge
6. The Journal of American Drama and Theatre - Published by Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, CUNY
7. Contemporary Theatre Review - Published by Taylor & Francis
8. Studies in Theatre and Performance - Published by Taylor & Francis

Websites and Online Resources:
1. The American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) website: https://www.astr.org/
2. The Theatre Research International website: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/theatre-research-international
3. The Digital Theatre Plus platform: https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/
4. The Theatre History Society (THS) website: https://historictheatres.org/
5. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts: https://www.nypl.org/locations/lpa

Instructor bio

Prof. Vibha Sharma

Aligarh Muslim University
Prof. Vibha Sharma is a Professor in the Department of English at Aligarh Muslim University. She has been prolific in her academic and scholarly interactions through dozens of international and national conference and seminars in the area of Theatre and Performance Studies, Translation Studies, Indian English Studies, Cultural Studies, Environmental Humanities, and English Language Teaching. She has 03 books, dozens of articles and several other academic publications in national and international journals and books on the above-mentioned topics. She has been a Visiting Faculty to Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden since 2013. She has been awarded fellowships to visit Germany, Japan, Chile, Nepal, Spain, and Austria to present papers at conferences. She is the Deputy Coordinator of DRS UGC SAP Phase II Programme on Translation Studies in the Department of English in which she is engaged in research towards formulating a postcolonial translation discourse and mentoring young translators. She is the Advisory Board Member of the prestigious CuEEd-LL in Sweden and part of other international projects related to teachers' training and literature studies. She has been actively engaged in theatre productions and nurturing budding theatre artists through her association as the President of the AMU Drama Club at the Cultural Education Centre. She has directed and acted in many plays. She is currently the Deputy DSW of AMU.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).
Date and Time of Exams: 25 October 2024 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.

Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup. It will have the logos of AMU and INI. 

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- INI Team


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