This course looks at the history of German dramatic literature from the 18th century through Brecht’s Theater in the 20th century. The most important Dramas in theater history will be examined (thereby illuminating the changes and developments in theater during this time through specific examples. The Dramas are then examined critically as texts. This is then complemented by visits to a number of theatres to establish a link between the text and the actual production of the play. Each production is then treated as an interpretation of the texts to be analyzed. Students only read texts which have an accompanying production going on at a theater in Berlin. The course will visit roughly four to five theaters.
Prerequisites:
None
Learning outcomes:
After course completion, each student should be able to:
Analyse and interpret dramatic texts
Describe the essential stages of development in the history of German drama
Understand dramatic literature in the context of German literature
Critique theater productions.
Method of presentation:
Lectures, discussion, films, four to five theater visits.
Required work and form of assessment:
Literary analysis and interpretation (oral presentation) (30%)
Four written critiques (two pages each) (25%)
Mid Term Exam (20%) and Final Exam (25%)
Mandatory Attendance
content:
The main focal points of the course are:
Selected dramatic texts from German literature from the 18th century through Brecht’s Theater
The transformation of theater from the Enlightenment to Brecht’s epic theater
The interpretation of dramatic texts as preparation for individual theatrical productions
The analysis of dramatic texts and theatrical productions
What classical texts mean or still contribute to contemporary theater
Required readings:
Deutsche Literaturgeschichte. Von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart 6. Stuttgart, Weimar: überarbeitete und ergänzte Ausgabe: 2001.
Fischer-Lichte, Hrsg. v. Erika. Metzler Lexikon Theatertheorie. Stuttgart, Weimar 2005
Kugli, Hrsg. v. Ana and Michael Opitz. Brecht-Lexikon. Stuttgart, Weimar: Metzler Verlag, 2006.
Magazines:
Theater der Zeit
Theater heute
Texts of the following authors will be discussed in class (sel.):
G. E. Lessing: Emilia Galotti, F. Schiller, J. W. v. Goethe, H. v. Kleist, H. Ibsen or G. Hauptmann, B. Brecht: Die Dreigroschenoper.
Theater in Berlin I: From Enlightenment to Brecht
This course looks at the history of German dramatic literature from the 18th century through Brecht’s Theater in the 20th century. The most important Dramas in theater history will be examined (thereby illuminating the changes and developments in theater during this time through specific examples. The Dramas are then examined critically as texts. This is then complemented by visits to a number of theatres to establish a link between the text and the actual production of the play. Each production is then treated as an interpretation of the texts to be analyzed. Students only read texts which have an accompanying production going on at a theater in Berlin. The course will visit roughly four to five theaters.
None
After course completion, each student should be able to:
Lectures, discussion, films, four to five theater visits.
The main focal points of the course are:
Deutsche Literaturgeschichte. Von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart 6. Stuttgart, Weimar: überarbeitete und ergänzte Ausgabe: 2001.
Fischer-Lichte, Hrsg. v. Erika. Metzler Lexikon Theatertheorie. Stuttgart, Weimar 2005
Kugli, Hrsg. v. Ana and Michael Opitz. Brecht-Lexikon. Stuttgart, Weimar: Metzler Verlag, 2006.
Magazines:
Theater der Zeit
Theater heute
Texts of the following authors will be discussed in class (sel.):
G. E. Lessing: Emilia Galotti, F. Schiller, J. W. v. Goethe, H. v. Kleist, H. Ibsen or G. Hauptmann, B. Brecht: Die Dreigroschenoper.