The years between 1837 and 1910 - covering the reigns of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII - were defining years for Britain in general and the performing arts in particular. Technical advances and ease of transport, rising audiences, a theatre industry confidently operating in a commercial market place amidst lively discussions about alternative forms of production, access, and funding, revolutionised theatre in Britain and resulted in an incredibly wide range of performance practices. "Issues in Victorian and Edwardian Theatre" will discuss and evaluate these practices under a range of themes and in relation to a number of critical approaches and within the wider context of imperial Britain.

10 x 3-hour seminars as scheduled on MyCampus

None

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

• 10-minute presentation supported by a detailed handout (to be agreed with the tutor) and Q&A - 40%

• 3,500-word essay - 60%

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

• Recorded presentation or written script of equivalent length as an alternative to the group presentation.

• There is no alternative to the essay, 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 histories of various aspects of performance practice in Victorian and Edwardian Britain as well as to the related fields in history, politics, and sociology;

■ Encourage critical exploration of concepts and practices of culture and discourses around the performing arts with specific regard to the historical moments in which these theories and practices were formulated;

■ Develop interdisciplinary analytic and research skills for students to examine the performing arts in Victorian and Edwardian Britain.

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

■ Critically analyse key issues of the theatre in Victorian and Edwardian Britain and apply theories and models of cultural practices;

■ Analyse how the performing arts in Victorian and Edwardian Britain might relate to and inform wider discourses around culture, politics, and economics;

■ Present ideas critically, clearly and coherently in an academic essay, developing well-structured arguments, and observing the disciplines of referencing, footnoting and bibliography;

■ Produce and deliver a presentation on a chosen subject within the parameters of the course that stimulates group discussion and facilitates and encourages further study