From social changes (the middle classes coming to power) to theatre convention changes, the programme follows the development of drama from the late 19th century onwards (realism turning into realist stylistic formation), reactions to the development of drama writing and drama conventions (Ibsen, Gorky, Chekhov, Pirandello, Brecht), up to the final breaking of theatre conventions with the theatre of the absurd and the new European drama. Reactions to realism and the emergence and domination of a new profession, the director, who by the first half of the 20th century imposes their so-called director’s theatre, trying to exile the playwright (which leads to the so-called postdramatic theatre). The programme includes module A (the development of drama writing of the 20th century up to the epic theatre and Pirandello), module B (module A + from the theatre of the absurd to the new European drama and director’s and postdramatic theatre) and module C (module A, module B, Croatian drama, a selection of dominant themes in European drama, American drama which shares some traits with European trends).
Learning outcomes
Module A
Students will be able to describe and analyse the influence of social changes on the change of theatre and drama conventions (for example, the change of point of view and the introduction of a new hero – the so-called ordinary human being) in the 20th century and the emergence of the basic realism and modernism canon that is still active (Ibsen, Gorky, Chekhov, Pirandello, Brecht).
Module B (outcomes of module A plus)
After module B, students will be able to describe and analyse the breaking with dramatic conventions (theatre of the absurd), changing of theatre conventions (introduction of a different relationship between the audience and the stage, the influence of a new profession of the director), reactions to the art of realism and the basic conventions of postdramatic and director’s theatre as well as the new trends in drama.
Module C (outcomes of module A, Modula B plus)
Students will be able to analyse and describe the contemporary Croatian drama of the 20th century (from the 1960s until today), differentiate between basic thematic circles of the European drama and analyse and describe the contemporary American drama and its basic tendencies. They will differentiate between the specific theoretical notions used for the analysis of the plays of the 20th century, being able to use them as arguments in analyses. Due to active participation in the analysis of plays, students will develop the oral skills of expressing thoughts.