ENGL 90910 - Feminist Theater and Performance

Institution:

University of Notre Dame

Subject:

English

Description:

In this course we'll investigate the history and practice of feminist theatre. The seminar will focus not only on feminist playwrights (such as Caryl Churchill, Sarah Daniels, & Pam Gems in England, and Maria Irene Fornes, Paula Vogel, Claire Chafee, Eve Ensler in the US) but also on feminist theories of the theater and on theoretical and critical responses to the plays we read (i.e. Elin Diamond, Sue-Ellen Case, Peggy Phelan, etc.). The course will pay particular attention to feminist theatre by women of color (i.e. Adrienne Kennedy, Ntozake Shange, Suzan-Lori Parks, Cherrie Moraga, Coco Fusco, Diana Son) and to intersections between feminist theatre and queer theatre (The Five Lesbian Brothers, Tony Kushner, Charles Ludlam, Kate Bornstein). We will at all times keep our texts in context, and look closely at the processes and practices which distinguish "feminist" theater (as a stage product, and not merely a playtext) from "nonfeminist" theater. We'll also devote significant attention to feminist performance artists such as Holly Hughes, Karen Finley, Robbie McCauley, and Laurie Anderson. The course will include several translated texts; PhD in Literature students will be required to read texts in the original language if they have proficiency in that language. In addition, they will be encouraged to pursue a final project that incorporates research in one of their language proficiences (for example, a student proficient in French will be directed to research French feminist theatres). The seminar will require each student to offer a presentation of original research, and to write an article length paper on a topic of their choice.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.nd.edu

Phone Number:

(574) 631-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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