Calendar

SES # TOPICS KEY DUE DATES
1

Overview

  • Questions
  • Introductions
  • Close reading
  • Works in translation
  • Introduction to semiotics
  
2

Drama: Realism, Semiotics (I)

  • Glaspell. Trifles (1916)
  
3

Drama: Realism, Semiotics (II)

  • Elam, The Semiotics of Theatre and Drama (1980)
  
4

Western Origins: The Stranger (I)

  • Aristotle. Poetics. (c.335 BCE)
  
5

Western Origins: The Stranger (II)

  • Sophocles, Oedipus The King (431 BCE)
  
6

Western Origins: The Woman (I)

  • Euripides, Medea (431 BCE)
 Written questions / comments on Medea due
7

Western Origins: The Woman (II)

  • Euripides, Medea (431 BCE)

Paper 1 due

 
8

Western Origins: Religious Drama (I)

  • Hrotswitha, Dulcitius (965 - 75?)
 Written questions / comments on either Dulcitius or The York Crucifixion
9

Western Origins: Religious Drama (II)

  • Anonymous, The York Crucifixion (c. 1376 CE)
  
10 Theatre Review

Bring a theatre review to class for discussion

Midterm self-evaluation

 
11

Classical Japan (I)

  • Kan'ami, Matsukaze (15th century)
  • Noh Drama

Screening:

 Written questions / comments on Matsukaze due
12

Classical Japan (II)

  • Zeami, "A Mirror Held to the Flower" (1424)

Workshop on Paper 1

  
13

The Transition to Modern Europe (I)

  • Calderón, Life is a Dream (1636)

Written questions / comments on Life is a Dream due

 
14

The Transition to Modern Europe (II)

  • de la Cruz, Loa to the Divine Narcissus (1687)

Paper 1 revision due

 
15 Discuss and prepare group presentations  
16

Workshop on Paper 2

Bring written questions / comments to develop
17

Modern / Experimental: Europe (I)

  • Ibsen, A Doll's House (1879)

Written questions / comments on A Doll's House due

 
18

Modern / Experimental: Europe (II)

  • Ibsen, A Doll's House (1879)
  • Cixous, "Aler á la mer" (1984)

Screening and discussion of the third act of:
A Doll's House. Mobil Masterpiece Theatre. Directed by David Thacker. Color, 140 min. 1992.

Paper 2 due

Group presentation proposal due

 
19

Modern / Experimental: England (I)

  • Shaw, Major Barbara (1905)
 Written questions / comments on Major Barbara and / or Brecht due
20

Modern / Experimental: England (II)

  • Shaw, Major Barbara (1905)
  • Brecht, "The Street Scene" (1938)
  • Brecht, "Three Cheers for Shaw" (1926)
  
21

Twentieth Century Experiments: America

  • Treadwell, Machinal (1928)

Written questions / comments on Machinal and / or Fires in the Mirror due

 
22

Twentieth Century Experiments: Performance Art

  • Smith, Fires in the Mirror (1992)

Screening:
Fires in the Mirror. American Playhouse. Directed by George C. Wolfe. Color, 120 mins. 1993.

 Written questions / comments on Fires in the Mirror and / or The Other Shore due
23

Twentieth Century Experiments: Contemporary China

  • Gao, The Other Shore (1985)
  
24 Group presentations (I) Paper 3 due
25 Group presentations (II)  
26 Group presentations (III); Final class