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While drama in any given society varies widely in form and practice, an array of social functions has quite consistently been attributed to this genre. One such function is that of social criticism. This course will analyze the cultural role of theater in general, paying special attention to modes of criticism, before moving on to a practical investigation of contemporary American theater. Starting with Arthur Miller’s All My Sons (1947) we shall take a somewhat chronological look, in terms of content, at three other pieces, including August Wilson’s Two Trains Running (1991), Wendy Wasserstein’s The Heidi Chronicles (1988) and Tony Kushner’s Angels in America (1993). These plays cover issues ranging from the American dream and the Civil Rights Movement to Women’s emancipation and the AIDS epidemic. We will also have the opportunity to watch excerpts from the plays mentioned, which will allow us to analyze the performative aspect of drama. |
