GROUP SEMINAR PRESENTATION, 0.33HRS [Learning Outcomes 1-4]
COURSEWORK, Essay [Learning Outcomes 1-4]

The module will examine comic plays from the post-war period in Britain, as well as plays engaged with comedy as their subject matter. Students will be engaged in a study of, amongst other areas: theories of comedy, genres of theatrical comedy (for example, farce, satire, black comedy), the art/craft of comic drama, the 'politics of comedy' (including 'alternative comedy') the dramatic and theatrical techniques of comedy in text and performance.

Examples of playwrights to be studied may include: Alan Ayckbourn, Mike Leigh, Joe Orton, Trevor Griffiths, Terry Johnson, Willy Russell, Victoria Wood, Dario Fo.

Lectures will outline historical, theatrical or theoretical contexts, key areas of debate, or introductory elements of case studies, some of which may be followed up by tutor-led seminars. Student-led group seminars (15-20 minutes) will enable students to follow through and present work based on their own interests within an overall framework set by the module tutor. The writing of an essay will enable students to demonstrate analytical and critical skills in relation to one of the texts studied.

Banks, Morwenna and Swift, Amanda. (1987)The Joke's on Us: Pandora
Billington, Michael (1990) Alan Ayckbourn: MacMillan, Palgrave
Freud S. (1976) Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious: Penguin London
Mitchell T. (1999). Dario Fo: People's Court Jester: Methuen London
Sontag S. Notes on Camp

IT equipment (e.g. word-processing or PowerPoint software)
Library holdings (inter-library loans as appropriate)
Internet access
CD-ROMs as appropriate to the topic
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.