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ENG862Arts3 Unitsintermediate

Comparative Studies in Drama

This course explores drama from diverse cultural and historical contexts. It covers world drama, modern drama, dramatic genres, and African drama. Students will learn to compare drama across different periods, styles, and forms. The course also examines traditional versus scripted drama, equipping students with the skills to analyze and critique dramatic works from various perspectives.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Comparative DramaDramatic GenresAfrican DramaWorld DramaModern Drama

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
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Classical Drama

2

Medieval Drama

3

Renaissance Drama

4

Modern Drama

5

Dramatic Genres

6

African Drama

7

Traditional Drama

8

Scripted Drama

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

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

Dramaturge

Apply your skills in this growing field

Theatre Critic

Apply your skills in this growing field

Screenwriter

Apply your skills in this growing field

Drama Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

TheatreFilmTelevisionRadioEducation

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: World Drama

3h

Unit 1: Drama in the Classical Era

3 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to classical drama.
  • •Identify key characteristics of drama in Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
  • •Analyze the contributions of major dramatists from the classical era.
Week
2

Module 1: World Drama

3h

Unit 2: Medieval through the Restoration Era and 18th Century Drama

3 study hours
  • •Study the development of drama during the Medieval period.
  • •Examine the characteristics of Renaissance drama.
  • •Explore the traits of Restoration and 18th-century drama.
Week
3

Module 1: World Drama

3h

Unit 3: 19th Century and Contemporary Drama

3 study hours
  • •Analyze the evolution of drama in the 19th century.
  • •Examine the key features of 20th-century drama.
  • •Explore contemporary drama trends and their impact.
Week
4

Module 2: Modern Drama

3h

Unit 1: Romanticism, Realism and Surrealism

3 study hours
  • •Understand the characteristics of Romanticism.
  • •Examine the key features of Realism.
  • •Explore the tenets of Surrealism.
Week
5

Module 2: Modern Drama

3h

Unit 2: Expressionism and Other Movements in the Theatre

3 study hours
  • •Explore the principles of Expressionism.
  • •Examine the key features of Existentialism.
  • •Understand the tenets of Dadaism.
  • •Analyze the use of Symbolism in drama.
Week
6

Module 2: Modern Drama

3h

Unit 3: Poor Theatre and Others

3 study hours
  • •Examine the principles of Poor Theatre.
  • •Explore the tenets of Theatre of the Absurd.
  • •Understand the key features of Epic Theatre.
  • •Analyze the characteristics of Avant-Garde Theatre.
Week
7

Module 3: Dramatic Genres

3h

Unit 1: Tragedy

3 study hours
  • •Study Aristotle's theory of tragedy.
  • •Examine the structure of tragedy.
  • •Identify the different types of tragedy.
Week
8

Module 3: Dramatic Genres

3h

Unit 2: Comedy

3 study hours
  • •Explore the emergence of comedy.
  • •Examine the different types of comedy.
  • •Identify and analyze comic devices.
  • •Compare tragedy and comedy.
Week
9

Module 3: Dramatic Genres

3h

Unit 3: Tragicomedy and other Genres

3 study hours
  • •Understand the characteristics of tragicomedy.
  • •Examine the key features of melodrama.
  • •Explore the elements of dance drama.
Week
10

Module 4: African Drama

6h

Unit 1: North African Drama

3 study hours
  • •Explore the focus and major dramatists of North Africa.
  • •Analyze the themes and styles of North African plays.
  • •Discuss the challenges and contributions of North African drama.

Unit 2: Southern African Drama

3 study hours
  • •Explore the focus and major dramatists of Southern Africa.
  • •Analyze the themes and styles of Southern African plays.
  • •Discuss the challenges and contributions of Southern African drama.
Week
11

Module 4: African Drama

3h

Unit 3: West African Drama

3 study hours
  • •Explore the focus and major dramatists of West Africa.
  • •Analyze the themes and styles of West African plays.
  • •Discuss the challenges and contributions of West African drama.
Week
12

Module 4: African Drama

3h

Unit 4: East African Drama

3 study hours
  • •Explore the focus and major dramatists of East Africa.
  • •Analyze the themes and styles of East African plays.
  • •Discuss the challenges and contributions of East African drama.
Week
13

Module 1: Traditional versus Scripted Drama

6h

Unit I: Traditional Drama

3 study hours
  • •Understand the meaning of traditional drama.
  • •Explore the emergence of traditional African drama.
  • •Analyze the theories of traditional drama.
  • •Discuss the functionality of traditional drama.

Unit 2: Scripted Drama

3 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of scripted drama.
  • •Trace the origin of scripted drama.
  • •Outline the techniques involved in scripting for radio, stage, TV, and film/video.
  • •Compare traditional and scripted drama.

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

Create timelines for each era of drama (Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Modern) noting key playwrights and movements.

2

Develop comparison charts contrasting different dramatic genres (Tragedy, Comedy, Tragicomedy) based on Aristotle's Poetics.

3

Analyze the socio-political contexts of African dramas, focusing on themes of colonialism, identity, and resistance.

4

Practice writing short critiques of plays from different periods, applying theoretical frameworks discussed in the course.

5

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and identify areas needing further study.

6

Form study groups to discuss complex concepts and share insights on different playwrights and movements.

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