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Playwriting and Text - TFT00107M

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Bridget Foreman
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

This module is a practice and research based module that engages with the critical analysis of texts and performance alongside the practical development of playwriting as a craft. Seminars will provide opportunities to engage with a variety of texts from a range of writers and theatre-artists, with a focus on critical analysis, and will also follow a programme of practical study of writing text for performance, covering key aspects of the craft of playwriting.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

The aims of the module are:

  • to deepen your understanding and knowledge of writing for theatre and key theatre practitioners across a range of genres and a variety of socio-political contexts

  • to expose you to a range of texts from a diverse collection of significant and contemporary playwrights

  • to develop your ability to reflect critically on performance texts and their contexts

  • to develop your skills in writing for performance

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module you will be expected:

  • to have deepened your understanding of theatre writing through the study of a range of texts and practitioners

  • to have developed skills in critical analysis and playwriting

  • to have written your own original playscript

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Reflective Critical Analysis Essay		 N/A 0
Practical
Script: Playscript		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formative: Reflective / Critical Analysis essay (2000 words)

Ongoing embedded formative feedback through sharing of script writing in workshops

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Reflective Critical Analysis Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Reading lists will vary on an annual basis according to the research areas of staff but may include:

Alex Sierz, (2001) In-yer-face theatre : British drama today, London : Faber and Faber.
Michael Billington, (2007) State of the nation : British theatre since 1945, London : Faber.
Steve Waters, (2010) The Secret Life of Plays, London : Nick Hern Books.

Stephen Jeffreys, (2019) Playwriting - Structure, Character, How and What to Write, London : Nick Hern Books

Sarah Grochala, (2017) The Contemporary Political Play - Rethinking Dramaturgical Structure, London ; Bloomsbury


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.