OVERVIEW

This course provides students with a basic knowledge of the history of Western Theater. Throughout the lessons (supported by power points and videos, enriched by talks of artists) and individual study, the course aims at: 1) introducing students to the concepts of “Theater” and “Performing Arts” in their complexity; 2) making students familiar with the most important forms and functions that theater has covered during history; 3) offering cues for a first analytic approach to contemporary theatre.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course provides students with a basis of knowledge on the history of the Theater and performing arts. The aim is to connect knowledge of historical events to an understanding of the various forms, meanings and functions that “Theater” and “Spectacle” have taken in different times and places. A focus is on the relationship that, at times, has been established between text (if present) and performance (the spectacle, which can be broken down into many elements: playwriting, acting, direction, scenography etc.). The ultimate goal is to provide students with the skills to describe, analyze and interpret contemporary theater.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

- Ability to set a theatrical event its historical context (in relation to dramaturgy, space and acting) and to express it.

- Ability to distinguish and analize, at a basic level, the different elements that build a theatre performance.

- Ability to distinguish the different elements that form a theatre performance.

In addition for 9 CFU:

- Ability to describe, analize and interpret at a basic level contemporary theatre.

PREREQUISITES

There is no prerequisite for this course.

TEACHING METHODS

In-class lectures with slides and video projections (published also on Aulaweb). Registration on Aulaweb is compulsary. Attendance at the theatre evenings is optional.

L'insegnamento prevede lezioni frontali con slides e videoproiezioni, che vengono via via rese disponibili su Aulaweb. L'iscrizione su Aulaweb è obbligatoria per tutti gli studenti, frequentanti e non frequentanti

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

6 CFU

After a brief introduction to the discipline, the first two modules will be dedicated to studying the main events and periods of the history of Theater in the West from the 5th century B.C. to the Second World War. Students will carry on individually at home the study of the second half of the 20th century. In collaboration with the theaters of Genoa, students will have “guided” viewings of plays during class time along with the artists and theater companies.

9 CFU

The third module of lessons will be focused on the second half of the 20th and on 21th century theatre.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

ERASMUS STUDENTS - 6 CFU

1. Storia del teatro e dello spettacolo, edited by Roberto Alonge and Franco Perrelli, Torino, UTET, 2019, III edition (with exception of the chapters: 13, 25, 27, 30, 31).
2. Plays to be read in full: Aeschylus, Prometheus or Sofocle, Antigonis; W. Shakespeare, Macbeth or Hamlet or Richard III or Romeo and Juliet; H. Ibsen, John Gabriel Borkman or Sollness; L. Pirandello, Il piacere dell'onestà or L'uomo dal fiore in bocca or Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore or I giganti della montagna; S. Beckett, Fin de partie; B. Brecht, Sezuan.
3. Slides and videos published on Aulaweb.

Bibliography for student not proficient in Italian language may be arranged individually, during office hour.

ERASMUS STUDENTS - 9 CFU

Extra bibliography arranged individually, during office hour.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LIVIA CAVAGLIERI (President)

ROBERTO CUPPONE

EMANUELA CHICHIRICCO' (Substitute)

VALERIA SCREPIS (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

17 February 2020

Class schedule

HISTORY OF THE THEATRE AND ENTERTAINMENT

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students may take a written test. Not attending students will have an oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

6 cfu oral exam:

• Two questions on the handbook and/or on Aulaweb materials.
• One question on topics covered in class or in the text for not attending students.

9 cfu oral exam:

• Two questions on the handbook and/or on Aulaweb materials
• One question on topics covered in class or in the text for not attending students
• One questions on a text arranged individually

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

The following workshops are recommended (for more information, see the individual pages in the Course section):

• Laboratorio di lettura e produzione dello spettacolo operistico 1 e 2 (I e II semestre)
• Laboratorio di allestimento del testo teatrale (II semestre)
• Laboratorio di teatro pratico (I semestre)
• Laboratorio di teatro sociale (II semestre)