British Theatre
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Aimed at students from all Humanities disciplines, the course aims to provide a good knowledge and appreciation of theatre, dramatic literature and performance in their historical and cultural contexts, with an interdisciplinary perspective. The focus will be on significant examples of dramaturgy, aesthetics and theatrical practice in British theatre. However, the historical perspective will also form part of the training, particularly with a view to developing an awareness of the developments and controversial criticisms that have characterised the history of British theatre. Students will apply the skills and methods they have learnt through opportunities such as viewing some of the plays, producing short plays or performances, group work.
Expected learning outcomes
The expected learning outcomes are: Knowledge and understanding of the history, sources, methods and tools of theatre studies and the practices of dramaturgy, performance and directing, with particular reference to the English tradition. Knowledge of some of the major theatre figures, dramaturgies and practices, their historical-political, cultural and aesthetic contexts, stage practice, interlingual and interlinguistic transfer. Understanding of the theoretical, methodological and historical-cultural problems involved in the study of English theatre, including its intermedial and intercultural dissemination. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: ability to analyse and interpret the dramatic text and staging; ability to discuss and argue in a seminar context on the topics covered in the course and to apply the method to further examples; ability to apply the skills acquired in the production of both creative and critical (written or oral) individual or group work of appropriate methodological rigour.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title: "'Words, words, words'. Power and Art on Stage" (40/60 ore, 6/9 CFU)
A: "Romeo and Juliet", between past and present
B: War and Museum in Contemporary British Theatre
C: Theatre and Pathology (prof. Paolo Caponi)
The course focuses on two important periods of the history of British theatre: Elizabethan Theatre and contemporary theatre. Besides, it concentrates on the critical and methodological tools for analyzing dramatic texts as well as their productions.
A is dedicated to William Shakespeare's theatre and its relevance to the present day. In particular, it focuses on the analysis of "Romeo and Juliet" and recent productions. Cinema adaptations are also taken into consideration.
B is dedicated to some plays written in the last thirty years that deal with the representation of museums on stage, and discusses the role of museums and artists in countries at war.
C focuses on forms of pathology in the contemporary British theatre, their representations and their relations with the Medical Humanities.
- Students who wish to acquire 6 CFU should study two modules. If students wish to acquire 9 CFU they should study all three modules.
- The programme is valid until September 2026.
- The website of the course is online on the Ariel platform (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=947): students will be able to download slides and other materials. Critical essays on general questions or on specific texts will be available. The website also contains general information on the course.
A: "Romeo and Juliet", between past and present
B: War and Museum in Contemporary British Theatre
C: Theatre and Pathology (prof. Paolo Caponi)
The course focuses on two important periods of the history of British theatre: Elizabethan Theatre and contemporary theatre. Besides, it concentrates on the critical and methodological tools for analyzing dramatic texts as well as their productions.
A is dedicated to William Shakespeare's theatre and its relevance to the present day. In particular, it focuses on the analysis of "Romeo and Juliet" and recent productions. Cinema adaptations are also taken into consideration.
B is dedicated to some plays written in the last thirty years that deal with the representation of museums on stage, and discusses the role of museums and artists in countries at war.
C focuses on forms of pathology in the contemporary British theatre, their representations and their relations with the Medical Humanities.
- Students who wish to acquire 6 CFU should study two modules. If students wish to acquire 9 CFU they should study all three modules.
- The programme is valid until September 2026.
- The website of the course is online on the Ariel platform (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=947): students will be able to download slides and other materials. Critical essays on general questions or on specific texts will be available. The website also contains general information on the course.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is taught in Italian, but the bibliography and teaching materials are almost entirely in English, so students need to have a good knowledge of the language.
Teaching methods
The course employs the following teaching methods: lectures include close reading and analysis of the plays; lectures of professionals (playwrights, directors, actors, etc.). Students also watch video material and attend theatre performances.
Students are encouraged to actively participate in textual analysis and to comment critically on the videos.
Students are also encouraged to read aloud/to watch some scenes from the play and critically comment on them.
Students are encouraged to actively participate in textual analysis and to comment critically on the videos.
Students are also encouraged to read aloud/to watch some scenes from the play and critically comment on them.
Teaching Resources
A
___W. Shakespeare, "Romeo and Juliet", The New Cambridge Shakespeare, Cambridge UP, Cambridge, 2003.
__ Daniela Carpi, "Romeo and Juliet: The Importance of a Name", Pólemos 2015; 9(1): 37-50 (in Ariel)
__"Romeo and Juliet", directed by Kenneth Branagh:
PART 1:https://unimi2013.sharepoint.com/sites/StoriadelteatroingleseLT2021-22/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FStoriadelteatroingleseLT2021%2D22%2FDocumenti%20condivisi%2FGeneral%2FR%26J%20I%20%282015%29%2Emp4&referrer=Teams%2ETEAMS%2DELECTRON&referrerScen…
PART 2: https://unimi2013.sharepoint.com/sites/StoriadelteatroingleseLT2021-22/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FStoriadelteatroingleseLT2021%2D22%2FDocumenti%20condivisi%2FGeneral%2FR%26J%20II%20%282015%29%2Emp4&referrer=Teams%2ETEAMS%2DELECTRON&referrerSce…
Not attending students add:
_ G. Melchiori, "La tragedia lirica: Romeo and Juliet", in Shakespeare, Bari, Laterza, 1994, pp. 208-230 (in Biblioteca di Anglistica).
_"Romeo and Juliet", directed by F. Zeffirelli
_"Romeo and Juliet", directed by Simon Godwin:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MkaLD2IfU0NUdFiQP_EPt5WYHo_eRLaD/view?usp=drivesdk
B.
__ Howard Barker, "Scenes from an Execution", in Howard Barker. "Collected Plays 1", London, Calder, 1990
__ Martin Crimp, "Attempts on Her Life", Faber and Faber, London, 2007
__ David Edgar, "Pentecost", London, Nick Hern Book, 1995
__ Hannah Khalil, "A Museum in Baghdad", London, Methuen, 2019
C.
__Samuel Beckett, "Endgame", any edition provided it is in English and unabridged
__Duncan MacMillan, "People, Places and Things", Oberon Books, 2015
__ Sandro Spinsanti, "The Medical Humanities", in Renzo Pegoraro et al., (eds.), "Introduction to Medical Humanities", Springer 2022, pp. 1-15 [The text is available in "Minerva", the bibliographical hub of Università degli Studi di Milano, by texting "Renzo Pegoraro"]
Non-attending studenst will add: Samuel Beckett, "Waiting for Godot", any edition provided it is in English and unabridged
Further critical readings will be provided by the teachers during the course.
___W. Shakespeare, "Romeo and Juliet", The New Cambridge Shakespeare, Cambridge UP, Cambridge, 2003.
__ Daniela Carpi, "Romeo and Juliet: The Importance of a Name", Pólemos 2015; 9(1): 37-50 (in Ariel)
__"Romeo and Juliet", directed by Kenneth Branagh:
PART 1:https://unimi2013.sharepoint.com/sites/StoriadelteatroingleseLT2021-22/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FStoriadelteatroingleseLT2021%2D22%2FDocumenti%20condivisi%2FGeneral%2FR%26J%20I%20%282015%29%2Emp4&referrer=Teams%2ETEAMS%2DELECTRON&referrerScen…
PART 2: https://unimi2013.sharepoint.com/sites/StoriadelteatroingleseLT2021-22/_layouts/15/stream.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FStoriadelteatroingleseLT2021%2D22%2FDocumenti%20condivisi%2FGeneral%2FR%26J%20II%20%282015%29%2Emp4&referrer=Teams%2ETEAMS%2DELECTRON&referrerSce…
Not attending students add:
_ G. Melchiori, "La tragedia lirica: Romeo and Juliet", in Shakespeare, Bari, Laterza, 1994, pp. 208-230 (in Biblioteca di Anglistica).
_"Romeo and Juliet", directed by F. Zeffirelli
_"Romeo and Juliet", directed by Simon Godwin:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MkaLD2IfU0NUdFiQP_EPt5WYHo_eRLaD/view?usp=drivesdk
B.
__ Howard Barker, "Scenes from an Execution", in Howard Barker. "Collected Plays 1", London, Calder, 1990
__ Martin Crimp, "Attempts on Her Life", Faber and Faber, London, 2007
__ David Edgar, "Pentecost", London, Nick Hern Book, 1995
__ Hannah Khalil, "A Museum in Baghdad", London, Methuen, 2019
C.
__Samuel Beckett, "Endgame", any edition provided it is in English and unabridged
__Duncan MacMillan, "People, Places and Things", Oberon Books, 2015
__ Sandro Spinsanti, "The Medical Humanities", in Renzo Pegoraro et al., (eds.), "Introduction to Medical Humanities", Springer 2022, pp. 1-15 [The text is available in "Minerva", the bibliographical hub of Università degli Studi di Milano, by texting "Renzo Pegoraro"]
Non-attending studenst will add: Samuel Beckett, "Waiting for Godot", any edition provided it is in English and unabridged
Further critical readings will be provided by the teachers during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam aims to assess whether the candidate is able to contextualise the plays in the specific historical, social and cultural background to which they belong, as well as assess the student's ability to critically evaluate the plays in the programme. Questions aim to evaluate the student's ability to deploy critical terms and to engage with the critical works in the programme.
The various questions and discussions are all part of the evaluation.
Incoming international and Erasmus students are asked to contact the teacher as soon as possible.
Disabled students and those with learning difficulties should discuss the exam with the teachers, together with the appropriate University Office.
The final mark (30 e lode maximum and 18 minimum, a pass) may be accepted or rejected by the student. If a student rejects the mark, her or his exam will be registered as 'ritirato'.
The various questions and discussions are all part of the evaluation.
Incoming international and Erasmus students are asked to contact the teacher as soon as possible.
Disabled students and those with learning difficulties should discuss the exam with the teachers, together with the appropriate University Office.
The final mark (30 e lode maximum and 18 minimum, a pass) may be accepted or rejected by the student. If a student rejects the mark, her or his exam will be registered as 'ritirato'.
L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Caponi Paolo, Cavecchi Mariacristina
Professor(s)
Reception:
21/11, 3 pm. Teams: i2vrlh3.
Teams