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ENG861Arts3 Unitsintermediate

Studies In Written African Drama

This course is a study of major works, playwrights, and theatre traditions in contemporary written African literature. It provides an in-depth critique of how playwrights appreciate and respond to historical, social, political, philosophical, and moral issues in Africa. Emphasis is placed on content and dramatic style, aiming to sharpen insight into probing dramatic artifacts of the time.

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150h

Study Time

13

Weeks

12h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

African dramaPlaywrightsTheatre traditionsLiterary criticismPostcolonial literature

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📚

Math Level

No Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Evolution of African drama

2

Theatre traditions

3

Playwrights

4

Feminist movements

5

Nationalism in drama

6

Tragic drama

Total Topics6 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

ENG101: Use of English and Communication Skills

ENG202: Introduction to Literature

ENG301: Survey of African Literature

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Playwright

Apply your skills in this growing field

Literary critic

Apply your skills in this growing field

Theatre director

Apply your skills in this growing field

Cultural analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Educator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationTheatreFilmCultural organizationsPublishing

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module One: Evolution of Modern African Drama

5h

Unit 1: Introduction

2 study hours

•Read the introduction to understand the evolution of modern African drama.
•Define drama and its significance in various cultures.
•Explore the relationship between drama, theatre, and society.

Unit 2: The First Phase (Traditional Drama and Theatre)

3 study hours

•Examine the features of traditional theatrical performances.
•Analyze the social relevance and significance of these features across different African regions.
•Compare regional features of drama in West, North, East, and Southern Africa.

Week

2

Module One: Evolution of Modern African Drama

4h

Unit 3: The Second Stage (Foreign Features and Influences)

4 study hours

•Discuss the impact of foreign theatrical forms on traditional African aesthetics.
•Analyze how Western influences shaped African theatrical tastes and audiences.
•Examine the role of churches and colonial governments in introducing Western drama.

Week

3

Module One: Evolution of Modern African Drama

4h

Unit 4: The Third Stage (Modern Drama and Theatre)

4 study hours

•Explore the development of modern drama and theatre in West Africa.
•Examine the contributions of Hubert Ogunde and the Yoruba operatic theatre.
•Discuss the rise of literary drama and the works of Onitsha market literature.

Week

4

Module Two: Theatre Traditions in Contemporary Written African Literature

5h

Unit 1: Introduction

3 study hours

•Understand the categorization of African drama based on thematic thrusts.
•Explore culture plays and their depiction of conflicts between African and European values.
•Analyze national drama and its expression of political consciousness and resistance.

Unit 2: Culture Plays

2 study hours

•Examine culture plays and their depiction of conflicts between African and European values.
•Discuss examples such as 'The Blinkard' and 'The Lion and the Jewel'.

Week

5

Module Two: Theatre Traditions in Contemporary Written African Literature

5h

Unit 3: National Drama

3 study hours

•Analyze national drama and its expression of political consciousness and resistance.
•Discuss examples such as 'The State Visit' and 'The Island'.

Unit 4: Rational Drama

2 study hours

•Explore rational drama and its blend of cultural and nationalist objectives.
•Discuss examples such as 'The Strong Breed' and 'Death and the King's Horseman'.

Week

6

Module Two: Theatre Traditions in Contemporary Written African Literature

5h

Unit 5: Neo-Rational Drama

4 study hours

•Examine neo-rational drama and its use of African folkloric tradition to pursue nationalist objectives.
•Discuss Femi Osofisan's contributions to this category.
•Reflect on the evolution and future of modern African drama.

Unit 6: Conclusion

1 study hours

•Summarize the key points of the module.
•Discuss how theatre traditions in contemporary written African literature portray postcolonial Africa.
•Consider thematic preoccupations, character portrayals, and style.

Week

7

Module Three: Playwrights and Playwriting in Contemporary Written African Literature

7h

Unit 1: Introduction

4 study hours

•Introduce Wole Soyinka as a prominent West African playwright.
•Discuss his contributions to African literature and his establishment of the 1960 Masks.
•Analyze Soyinka's 'Alapata Apata' as a satirical comedy and rational play.

Unit 2: Wole Soyinka – West Africa

3 study hours

•Identify and analyze the dominant themes in 'Alapata Apata', including cultural alienation, corruption, and the importance of uprightness.
•Examine the manifestations of cultural and national objectives in Soyinka's work.

Week

8

Module Three: Playwrights and Playwriting in Contemporary Written African Literature

7h

Unit 2.3: Style as a Dramatic Tool

4 study hours

•Analyze Soyinka's use of satire, humour, wordplay, and oral literary devices in 'Alapata Apata'.
•Examine the play as a satirical comedy, focusing on diction and character actions.

Unit 3: Tawfiq Al-hakim – North Africa

3 study hours

•Introduce Tawfiq Al-hakim and his contribution to absurdist theatre.
•Analyze 'Fate of a Cockroach' as a political allegory and its use of absurdist features.

Week

9

Module Three: Playwrights and Playwriting in Contemporary Written African Literature

7h

Unit 3.1: Absurdist Theatre: Fate of Acockroach

4 study hours

•Examine the features of absurdist theatre in 'Fate of Cockroach'.
•Discuss 'Fate of Cockroach' as a political allegory.
•Introduce Athol Fugard as a South African dramatist and his play 'Sizwe Bansi is Dead'.

Unit 4: Athol Fugard – South African Dramatist

3 study hours

•Analyze 'Sizwe Bansi is Dead' as a nationalist protest against apartheid.
•Discuss the thematic preoccupations in Fugard's play, including apartheid, racial discrimination, and identity crisis.

Week

10

Module Three: Playwrights and Playwriting in Contemporary Written African Literature

7h

Unit 4.1: Nationalist Protest in Athol Fugard's Sizwe Bansi is Dead

4 study hours

•Examine 'Sizwe Bansi is Dead' as a social and protest drama, paying attention to its tragicomic and satirical forms.
•Introduce tragic drama in Africa and discuss J.P Clark and Tewfik Al-Hakim.

Unit 5: Tragic Drama in Africa

3 study hours

•Analyze Al-Hakim's 'Song of Death' and J.P Clark's 'Song of a Goat' as types of African tragedy.
•Examine setting as a social and cultural concept and how it informs the major thematic thrusts of both plays.

Week

11

Module Three: Playwrights and Playwriting in Contemporary Written African Literature

7h

Unit 5.1: J.P Clark and Tewfik Al-Hakim

4 study hours

•Attempt a comparative examination of the tragic figures in 'Song of Death' and 'Song of a Goat'.
•Discuss the elements of tragedy in Al-Hakim and J.P Clark's plays.

Unit 5.3: Elements of Tragedy in Al-Hakim and J.P Clark's Plays

3 study hours

•Critically examine Femi Osofisan's 'Women of Owu' as an African tragedy.
•Discuss nationalism in African drama and the example of Soyinka and Ngugi.

Week

12

Module Three: Playwrights and Playwriting in Contemporary Written African Literature

7h

Unit 6: Nationalism in African Drama: The Soyinka and Ngugi's Example

4 study hours

•Analyze Wole Soyinka's 'A Dance of the Forest' and its national themes.
•Discuss the relevance of the nationality of the themes in contemporary Nigeria and Africa.

Unit 6.1: Wole Soyinka's A Dance of the Forest

3 study hours

•Examine Ngugi Wa Thiong'o and Ngugi Wa Miiri's 'I Will Marry When I Want'.
•Discuss the thematic preoccupations, including exploitation through marriage and betrayal.

Week

13

Module Three: Playwrights and Playwriting in Contemporary Written African Literature

7h

Unit 6.3: Ngugi Wa Thiong'o and Ngugi Wa Miiri's I Will Marry When I Want

4 study hours

•What sociological undertones are implied in the plot of the play?
•What are the dominant religious allusions that are symbolically employed in this text?
•How did religious imperialism subjugate the African nations culturally?

Unit 7: Contemporary Plays: The Example of Ahmed Yerima

3 study hours

•Introduce Ahmed Yerima as a contemporary Nigerian playwright.
•Examine Yerima's 'The Wives' and its thematic preoccupations.
•Discuss the plot of Yerima's 'The Wives' and its structure.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all assigned readings and critical essays.

2

Create concept maps linking key themes and playwrights.

3

Practice analyzing dramatic texts using different critical approaches.

4

Focus on understanding the historical and social contexts of the plays.

5

Prepare detailed notes on each playwright's style and major works.

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