This course brings together queer theory with theatre studies to examine the practices, conventions and contexts of performance in the UK and on the international stage. Though grounded in queer theory's interrogation of cultural norms for sexuality and subjectivity, this course explores how ideas of 'queerness' might inform our understanding of a wide range of 'exceptional' subjects in performance - including (but not limited to) martyrs, monsters, prophets and anti-heroes.

10 x weekly sessions of 3 hours duration as scheduled on MyCampus.

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ 3500 Word Research Essay - 70%

■ Individual contributions to group Annotated Bibliography (totalling 1,500 words) - 30%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the research essay, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the annotated bibliography, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ introduce students to some of the key ideas, theorists and practitioners within the field of queer theory and performance, and the critical genealogy of that work;

■ examine the claims of queer theory in response to the staging of gender, sexuality and subjectivity within specific traditions and contexts of performance;

■ explore the discourse of exceptionality as a frame for examining anti-normative performance practices and theatrical representations.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ articulate key arguments from the field of queer theory, and apply those ideas in the critical study of contemporary British and international performance practice;

■ describe and assess the usefulness of a queer theoretical perspective for theatre studies in the study of sexuality, subjectivity and beyond;

■ demonstrate an ability to produce a research-driven essay and presentation which reflects the multi-disciplinary field of queer theory,

■ apply frames of reference outside of the domain of theatre studies to analyse performance.