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Module Title: P312            The Musical: Past and Present

Credit Value:             10

Field:                           Performing Arts

Level:                            Three

Type:                            Field Option

Pre-requisite(s):             P207 or permission of the Field leader or module leader

Semester 5 2001/2002

Room: C12. Fridays 9am-11am

THE OPENING LECTURE IS ON FRIDAY 28TH

 

P312 is a series of 10 lectures: The Musical is an historical examination of the development of the musical theatre genre starting with the minstrel tradition which led directly to what is now considered as the first "musical", Show Boat.  The  course continues with the study of such key musical theatre works as Oklahoma! Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Hair, A Chorus Line, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Rent and may include other relevant or ground-breaking work.

Learning Activities: Lectures/seminar & observation of videos and other relevant materials as well as where possible practical demonstrations or workshops.

 100 Hours Breakdown: *The University stipulates that approximately 100 hours learning activity are required per 10-credit module. Lectures times are fixed = 20hrs. Here is a suggestion for the remaining allocation of your study time: Private study= 40 hrs: written assignment=40hrs.=100hrs

Aims

To acquaint students with the theatrical genre known as The Musical and to develop an understanding of its significance within the context of the Performing Arts and global culture.

Learning Outcomes: As a student on this course you will gain a historical understanding of how the contemporary musical theatre has developed from a variety of sources including operetta, jazz music, social and formal dance forms. You will also develop a distinct appreciation of how the commercial theatre, through the musical, has attempted to address or has reflected social and political issues of the day. Furthermore your attention will be drawm towards understanding how the genre is continuing to develop and remain indicative of popular taste and opinion. On completion of the course the you will have demonstrated an in depth critical understanding of a selected element of the genre.

 

 

Assessment: 2000-word assignment =100%: To be handed in Jan 15th 2002 before 3pm (media office as usual)

                                                              

Written Assignment: Using Aristotle, Dante or any other strict critical or aesthetic model/methodology, subject the musical of your choice to analysis. Conclude with a value judgment based on your methodology. The exact phrasing of the question will depend on both your proposed approach and specific subject. This will be negotiated with and be approved by your tutor.

You will be assessed on:

Depth and range of research applied to both your subject matter and methodology =30%

A Logical progression of academically based ideas linked to a particular perspective=50%

Presentation, grammar and spelling=10%

Harvard System Bibliography=10%

 

P312: The Musical: Semester 5

 Lecture Schedule: Room C 12 9am-11am Friday

Week 1  September 28TH 2001 to Week 10:  November 2001

  Lecture1 Week 1:Opening Lecture: What makes a good musical?

Week 2:Lecture 2: Show Boat: notes

Week 3:Lecture 3: Oklahoma!: notes

Week 4:Lecture 4: West Side Story

Week 5:Lecture 5: Dance Forms: Tap!

Week 6:Lecture 6: Dance forms: Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance

Week 7:Lecture 7:Hair:notes

Week 8:Lecture 8: A Chorus Line: notes

Week 9:Lecture 9: Cats: notes

Lecture 10. The present state of The Musical. Link to current West End Stage Productions http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.ukThis final lecture/seminar will be student led. Each student will choose a new musical and present their personal critical analysis  or perspective on it to the class.

 

Indicative Reading:

I would strongly suggest you look at journals and the quality press for reviews and comments as well as insights. See my website for links. I would also direct the student to the performing arts hand book for a more detailed book list that may be useful in the historical context.  

Suggested Reading List  updates! click here for recent additions

Reading list:P312

Please note that I do expect the use of journals, newspaper reviews and so on to form the basis of your up to date material and research


Aristotle: Poetics

Barthes, R(82) Selected Writings; introduced by Susan Sontag: J. Cape Ltd
See pages 251-295 Introduction to the Structural Analysis of Narratives. This is a must for students with an interest in a semiotic approach. Dip in and out of this book and test its authors theories for yourself.

Berkowitz,G M (1997 revised ed.) New Broadways, Theatre Across America: Approaching A New Millennium. Applause

Carlson M.(96) Performance: a critical introduction: Routledge


Emery, L.F (1972) Black Dance from 1619 to Today. New Jersey: Princeton Book Company. Much used historical dance reference. 

Frank, R.E (1990) TAP 1900-1955 New York: Da Capo Press,inc. 
History of tap dance in the theatre. a nice easy read and full of interesting details

Keller, B.(1987) The Harlem Renaissance, A Historical Dictionary for the Era. New York: Methuen. 
A sort of who's who of the period good for the specialist interest in the origins of modern black American culture and its relationship to the musical theatre in terms of jazz music. 

Kreuger, M. (1977) Show Boat. The Story of a Classic American Musical. New York: Oxford University Press. 
Detailed research. some great pictures of the original set designs and production in performance. 

 Hughes, R. Shock of the New 
Well regarded look at Modernity in art and architecture, very informative and a good read, with many great pictures of some of the most influential works of the 20th century

Kershaw B.(92)The Politics of Performance: Routledge 
I would say this is a must. 

Lerner, A. J.(86) The Musical Theatre, A Celebration.Collins
A book from one of the leading lyric writers