DRAMA 718 : Playwriting
Arts
2023 Semester Two (1235) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The course aims to introduce a number of the “building blocks” of writing for live performance through the study of examples (the texts) and the presentation and critique of exercises.
Reading group runs weeks 2-11 and forms the "lecture" component of the course. Each week someone takes responsibility for opening the discussion and doing some research on the writer whose play is the reading for that week, including reference to their previous work.
The set texts each introduce a topic. Even if you are not leading the discussion, it is essential that you come to class with the text read, as you can expect to be questioned about it and it will form the basis of the exercise.
In the workshop sessions you will present your scene exercise from the previous week and help critique the scenes of fellow students.
Each topic is a building block of dramatic writing. As we move on, use what you have gained in previous exercises, so there is some growth, development and layering in your work. The ‘three linked scenes exercise,’ at the end of the course, challenges you to use as many building blocks as possible.
There is no intention to write a complete play as such, though sometimes a student’s exercise scene is equivalent to a very short play in itself; and the final exercise of the three linked scenes can be the basis for a whole. In other instances individual scenes have been the beginning of full-length theatre works that students have moved on to write and stage, both as part of their study, and also on the professional stage. Some insight into the way plays are made is valuable for actors, directors and designers as well as, naturally, for aspiring playwrights. Because the course does not aim towards writing a complete play, you are free to explore different dimensions of writing for performance. Throughout the course I am interested in sustaining a conversation about what writing for performance means in the contemporary moment, including consideration the role of writing in the mediums of dance and performance art, as well as the relationship between writing and technology.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
Learning Outcomes
- Create original dramatic scenes (Capability 1.2 and 3.2)
- Understand the elements of crafting dramatic writing (Capability 1.2 and 4.2)
- Communicate effective peer critique (Capability 4.3)
- Demonstrate a solid understanding of contemporary dramatic writing practice (Capability 1.1)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 70% | Individual Coursework |
| Three scenes | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Lead reading group | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| 3 types | 100% |
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 1 hours of lectures, a 2 hour tutorial, 7 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 10 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled workshops to complete components of the course, including participating in workshopping of scenes and contributing peer feedback.
Learning activities will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Students will read a wide-range of contemporary play texts from a diverse group of authors. Playwrights previously studied include: Ella Hickson, Suzan-Lori Parks, Lynn Nottage, David Greig, Briar Grace Smith, Heidi Schreck, Jackie Sibblies Drury, Angie Farrow and Young Jean Lee. Most texts will be available from the library as e-books.
Student Feedback
At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.
Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.
Students have provided positive feedback on the course, and we continue to make minor modifications from year to year in response to this feedback.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.