Performance Studies 1: An Introduction

Rationale and Purpose of the Module: To introduce students to the academic discipline of performance studies and its underlying principles, as an scholarly approach to research in the performing arts; to provide students with the theoretical tools to engage in discourse around the performing arts of dance, movement, vocal performance and the exploration of creativity through these media.

Syllabus: This module provides an introduction to the principles, practices and discourses of performance studies including its interdisciplinary origins, ethical questions and theoretical paradigms of performance, performativity, ritual, social drama, play, performatives, speech acts, trance, masking, gender, global and intercultural performance.