Seminar of Criticism 1

Subject guarantor:

Karel MAKONJ, Zdeněk TICHÝ, Jiří ADÁMEK

Name of lecturer(s):

Zdeněk TICHÝ

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

1) Familiarising students with the basics of critical work.

2) Placing current theatre trends in the context of other artistic fields.

3) Developing critical reflections on events in foreign theatre and through this fostering in students an awareness of wider realities.

4) Helping students to reflect on their own work with a critical distance by critically evaluating the work of others.

5) Understanding the relationship between the artist and the critic as partners in a dialogue.

Mode of study:

Discussion, media sample analysis, text analyses, analysis of current theatre performances.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

1. The ability to hold a dialogue.

2. The capacity for reflection and self-reflection.

3. Capacity for analysis.

4. Basic overview of events in contemporary theatre.

Recommended optional programme components:

Readings of Theatre periodicals.

Course contents:

Curriculum:

1) Introduction to the world of the theatre critic, from Diderot through Čapek to Machonin.

2) Elementary reflections on the seen and heard as the starting point for a review.

3) Analysis of a theatre production emphasising the critical analysis of its individual components.

4) Theatre festivals as a place for artistic confrontation.

5) Conversation as part of critical reflection.

6) Current tendencies in Czech, or world theatre.

7) Critical reflection on a work of personal creation.

8) The art to lead a polemic or critical reflection on contemporary criticism.

Syllabus:

The basic form of the critical seminar comprises discussions on theatre performances during which, through dialogue, students learn how to formulate and refine their opinions. Another important stage comes with the written analyses and reflections, which develop the skill of writing an expert review of a theatre production. Seminar participants develop their abilities of reflection on the theatre in an international context by pointing out the variety of genre, progressive trends and the originality of prominent theatrical figures, also in a context of what is happening in other artistic fields. The ability for critical reflection (and self-reflection!) is definitely the goal here, but becomes a means to developing creative thought. It also acts as a catalyst for artistic dialogue, which may function not only between members of production team itself but in an ideal situation also creates inspirational communication between artists and professional critics.

Recommended or required reading:

ĆAPEK Karel - SCHEINPFLUGOVÁ Olga: O divadle a tak podobně. Praha: Melantrich, 1985.

DIDEROT Denis: Diderot o divadle. 1. vyd. Praha: Umění lidu, 1950.

HILAR,K.H.: Pražská dramaturgie. 1. vyd. Praha: Nakladatelství Sfinx - B. Janda, 1930.

MACHONIN Sergej: Příběh se závorkami. 1. vyd. Brno, 1995, Atlantis. ISBN 80-7108-106-X

PAVIS Patrice: Divadelní slovník. 1. vyd. Praha: Divadelní ústav, 2003. ISBN 80-7008-157-0

RUTTE, Miroslav: 20 kázání o divadle. 1. vyd. Praha: Fr. Borový, 1940.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

Classes

Assessment methods and criteria:

Credit is awarded based on class participation. During the semester independent reading, visits to selected theatre performances and participation in class discussions are required. A condition for successful completion of the course is: class participation.

Course web page:

Note:

This course is open to students from other studies.

Instruction schedule see: www DAMU / katedra ALD / Rozvrhy hodin

Further information:

This course is an elective for all students of this school

Schedule for winter semester 2013/2014:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2013/2014:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Arts Management (B.A.) (optional subject)
• Directing and Dramaturgy for Dramatic Theatre (B.A.) (optional subject)
• Dramaturgy for Dramatic Theatre (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Dramaturgy for Alternative and Puppet Theatre (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Directing for Alternative and Puppet Theatre (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Stage Design for Alternative and Puppet Theatre (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Stage Design (B.A.) (optional subject)
• Stage Design - Costumes and Masks (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Theory and criticism (B.A.) (optional subject)
• Theory and criticism (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Directing for Dramatic Theatre (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Stage Design (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Directing and Dramaturgy for Alternative and Puppet Theatre (B.A.) (compulsory optional subject, optional subject)
• Stage Design for Alternative and Puppet Theatre (B.A.) (optional subject)
• Drama in Education - part-time 2 years (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Arts Management (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Authorial Acting (B.A.) (optional subject)
• Stage Design in English (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Drama in Education - part-time 4 years (B.A.) (optional subject)
• Acting for Alternative and Puppet Theatre (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Acting for Dramatic Theatre (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Stage Design - Film and Television (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Authorial Acting - 3 years (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Drama in Education (M.A.) (optional subject)
• Drama in Education - part-time 3 years (M.A.) (optional subject)