Spring 2024 English Theatre BC3141 section 001

EARLY 20TH-CENTURY UNITED STATES DRAMA A

EARLY 20TH-C US DRAMA & P

Call Number 00762
Day & Time
Location
W 10:10am-12:00pm
406 Barnard Hall
Points 4
Grading Mode Standard
Approvals Required None
Instructor Pamela Cobrin
Type SEMINAR
Course Description

The beginning of the 20th century in the United States was a time of turbulence: the excitement of a new century mixed with the flurry of voices trying to define “What makes an American, American.” Theatre reflected and inflected discussions, arguments, debates and celebrations of identity and belonging. And, everything was up for debate: morals, religion, sexuality, gender roles, race–all factions clawing towards ideals of citizenship. In this seminar, we will explore early 20th-century American theater as a forum for these debates–plays and performances of all types assert visibility of both issues and bodies, politicizing both in the process. We will begin by looking at the end of the 19th century as the nation engaged with the end of legally enslaving African Americans, the Women’s Suffrage movement gearing up, and the national debates on immigration, morality and religion–and all made their way to the stages of theater and Performance in the United States. Topics in this seminar will include The Harlem Renaissance, The Little Theatre Movement, Comstock/Censorship Laws, Broadway Fare, Popular Entertainment, Female Playwrights, Queer Theatre, Popular Music (to name a few more than “a few”).

 

Web Site Vergil
Department English @Barnard
Enrollment 15 students (18 max) as of 2:06PM Thursday, December 12, 2024
Subject English Theatre
Number BC3141
Section 001
Division Barnard College
Section key 20241ENTH3141X001