English Drama
- Arts
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 201 pages
- 20 units
This course explores English drama from the Elizabethan era to the present, focusing on its evolution and development. It examines playwrights from Thomas Kyd and Christopher Marlowe to William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and John Osborne. The course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the technicalities and themes within selected plays through detailed analysis and interpretation. It covers various traditions, genres, and representative playwrights, as well as the principal themes of their dramaturgy.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 90 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG362, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG362 · UNIT 1: BACKGROUND TO THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMA
If the Elizabethans believed in the ideal order, animating earthly order, they were terrified lest it should be upset, and appalled by the visible tokens of disorder that suggested its upsetting. They were obsessed by the fear of chaos and the fact of mutability, and the obsession was powerful in proportion as the faith in the cosmic order was strong.
What you should be able to do
- Define the key characteristics of English drama across different periods.
- Analyze the works of major playwrights such as Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson.
- Explain the social and cultural contexts that influenced dramatic works.
- Compare and contrast different dramatic genres and styles.
- Evaluate the impact of censorship and theatrical innovations on English drama.
What it prepares you for
- Drama Critic
- Literary Analyst
- Theatre Director
- English Teacher
- Content Writer
- Education
- Publishing
- Journalism
- Theatre Production
- Film and Television
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 3: 17th – 19th Century
Unit 1: Restoration Comedy
The intricate plots and witty dialogues require close attention to detail and a strong understanding of social conventions.
- Module 4: 19th – 20th Century
Unit 2: George Bernard Shaw and the English Drama
The unit requires understanding of complex philosophical concepts and the ability to analyze abstract themes within a dramatic context.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Elizabethan Drama I
Unit 1: Background to the Elizabethan Drama · 2 hours
Read the introduction to Elizabethan drama.. Understand the Elizabethan worldview and its influence on drama.. Examine the concepts of degree, order, stellar influence, and humours..
- Week 2Module 1: Elizabethan Drama I
Unit 2: Thomas Kyd and the Evolution of Revenge Tragedy · 2 hours
Study the life and works of Thomas Kyd.. Analyze the evolution of revenge tragedy.. Examine Kyd's contributions through 'The Spanish Tragedy'..
- Week 3Module 1: Elizabethan Drama I
Unit 3: The Dramaturgy of Christopher Marlowe · 2 hours
Explore the life and dramaturgy of Christopher Marlowe.. Analyze themes of power, wealth, and treachery in Marlowe's plays.. Discuss 'Tamburlaine the Great', 'The Jew of Malta', and 'Edward the Second'..
- Week 4Module 1: Elizabethan Drama I
Unit 4: Shakespearean Comedy · 2 hours
Study Shakespeare's biography and his contributions to comedy.. Analyze the characteristics of Shakespearean comedy.. Examine 'Twelfth Night' and its themes of love tangle and disguise..
- Week 5Module 2: Elizabethan Drama II
Unit 1: Shakespearean Tragedy · 2 hours
Examine the nature and characteristics of Shakespearean tragedy.. Analyze 'Macbeth' and its themes of ambition and fate.. Discuss the role of supernatural elements and moral order..
- Week 6Module 2: Elizabethan Drama II
Unit 2: Shakespearean Tragicomedy · 2 hours
Explore the concept of tragicomedy.. Discuss the characteristics of Shakespearean tragicomedy.. Analyze 'The Merchant of Venice' and its themes of justice and mercy..
- Week 7Module 2: Elizabethan Drama II
Unit 3: Shakespearean Chronicle Play · 2 hours
Define the chronicle play and its functions.. Examine Shakespeare's historical plays.. Analyze 'Henry V' and its themes of leadership and nationalism..
- Week 8Module 2: Elizabethan Drama II
Unit 4: The Drama of Ben Jonson · 2 hours
Study Ben Jonson's biography and dramaturgy.. Analyze 'The Alchemist' and its themes of deception and greed.. Discuss Jonson's use of satire and wit..
- Week 9Module 3: 17th – 19th Century
Unit 1: Restoration Comedy · 2 hours
Examine the context and concept of Restoration drama.. Describe the characteristics of Restoration comedy.. Study Congreve's 'The Way of the World' and its themes of manners and society..
- Week 10Module 3: 17th – 19th Century
Unit 2: The Heroic Drama · 2 hours
Explore the concept of heroic drama.. Discuss its characteristics and themes.. Analyze Dryden's 'The Conquest of Granada' and its themes of love and honor..
- Week 11Module 3: 17th – 19th Century
Unit 3: 18th Century and the Drama of Sensibility · 2 hours
Examine the nature of 18th-century drama.. Discuss the concept of domestic tragedy.. Analyze 'The London Merchant' and its themes of morality and redemption..
- Week 12Module 3: 17th – 19th Century
Unit 4: Victorian Drama · 2 hours
Explore the characteristics of Victorian drama.. Define melodrama and its elements.. Discuss the social and cultural context of Victorian theatre..
- Week 13Module 4: 19th – 20th Century
Unit 1: The Well-Made Play · 2 hours
Discuss the concept of the well-made play.. Examine the characteristics of the well-made play.. Analyze 'The Second Mrs. Tanqueray' as a sample of the genre..
Preparing for the exam
- Create timelines of key periods and playwrights to understand the evolution of English drama.
- Develop character maps for major plays, noting motivations and relationships.
- Practice analyzing excerpts from plays, focusing on themes, language, and dramatic techniques.
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and Self-Assessment Exercises (SAEs) thoroughly.
- Focus on understanding the social and historical contexts of each period to better grasp the plays' themes.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG362 about?
This course explores English drama from the Elizabethan era to the present, focusing on its evolution and development. It examines playwrights from Thomas Kyd and Christopher Marlowe to William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and John Osborne. The course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the technicalities and themes within selected plays through detailed analysis and interpretation. It covers various traditions, genres, and representative playwrights, as well as the principal themes of their dramaturgy.
How many units does ENG362 have?
ENG362, English Drama, has 20 units across 5 modules, over 201 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG362?
ENG362 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Arts.
Is ENG362 hard?
ENG362 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ENG362 take to study?
About 90 hours of study, spread across its 20 units.
How is ENG362 assessed?
ENG362 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ENG362?
Drama Critic, Literary Analyst, Theatre Director, English Teacher and Content Writer.