Basics of Theatre Research 1

Subject guarantor:

Zuzana SÍLOVÁ

Name of lecturer(s):

Zuzana SÍLOVÁ

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

Activation of students, stimulation of the need to analyze and reflect on the more general problems of artistic creation. Deepening the approach to study of history and theory of the field, for which it is important to use as a basis original source documentary materials of the most diverse kind. In 4 semesters it involves individual steps of gathering, continual developing and finding documentary material that can be combined and supplemented.

Mode of study:

Discussion, research, development and analysis of source material.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

No requirements.

Recommended optional programme components:

No elective requirements.

Course contents:

The course involves students in research tasks in partial problems of directing, dramaturgy and acting and other related trades.

In the course students are devoted to research whose area currently is limited to the GAČR grant project „Forms and manners of Acting“, lead by Doc. Zuzana Silova, Ph.D. and „Modern Production Reconstruction,“ lead by Prof. Jan Duška and co-author Ing. Kateřina Miholova, Ph.D.

In the project „Forms and Manners of Acting“ attention is given to the development of exceptionally strong acting generations which performed in Czech theatre and film around 1945 and applied their art in exceptionally difficult periods of the following more than 50 years. Knowledge acquired is linked to the gradual broadening of the attention to other generations with a focus on the development of modern acting throughout the 20th century.

Study of the Czech form of acting instigates the setting of fundamental historical and theory issues regarding the changes in the position of acting in the structure of theatre and film works. Generally linked to the changes of acting expression and period climate including changes in the audience requirements depicting as well the development of media, changes in theatre education and it influence on the position of acting.

Curriculum:

1. Gathering representative image and sound material from the study of screenings and listenings (including the NFA, Czech Republic and Czech Television archives).

2. Developing the selected bibliography

3. Acquisition of additional materials including personal memories, writings from interviews, contributions from meetings with actors, directors and other artist of the appropriate generation and theatre school graduates, etc.

4. Development of topic commentary on the gathered image and sound material, using other documentation and recordings with selected samples on CD ROM.

Recommended or required reading:

Continually acquired and developed written, visual and audio documentation including audio and video recordings of works of art and period reviews by experts (criticism, studies), as well as reminiscences of contemporaries including interviews and surveys.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

Classes

Assessment methods and criteria:

Term paper with research, analysis or reflection on a specific problem.

Course web page:

Note:

Schedule for winter semester 2012/2013:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2012/2013:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Dramaturgie činoherního divadla (Mgr.) (optional subject)
• Teorie a kritika (Mgr.) (compulsory subject)