Introduction to American Theatre

In this course, the trajectory of American theater shall be outlined through representative playwrights and their major works. American theater shall be examined as an effective medium for capturing the various aspects of American society and culture, and its interrelationship with critical consciousness and direction, theater and culture, society, politics, and history shall be considered. The goal is to "see," "contemplate," and "reinterpret" America through theatre. 　
How does American theater relate to culture, society, and politics? What issues does it shed light on? What are its goals? Where is it heading? While considering these questions, we shall discuss American theatre as a screen reflecting the United States. In addition to understanding the lecture contents, students shall be required to read parts of scripts in their original language, participate in group discussions, and make individual presentations on specific topics or present small reports. Details shall be determined based on the number of students, and active participation and opinion-sharing will be expected.

America, Literature, Theatre, Media, History, Society

1: Orientation
2: Overview of American Theatre
3: The Playwright's Suffering: Family as portrayed in Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical Long Day's Journey into Night
4: American Theatre and Alcohol: The Pipe Dream of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh
5: The Red Scare and Homosexuality (1): A Comparative Study of the Stage and Movie Versions of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire
6: The Red Scare and Homosexuality (2): The Issue of Rewriting in Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
7: Review and Discussion (1): (Student Presentations)
8: Pursuit of the American Dream (1): The Arrival of the Nightmare in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
9: Pursuit of the American Dream (2): Lack of Understanding of the Other in Edward Albee's The Zoo Story
10: Pursuit of the American Dream (3): The Mass Consumption Society Depicted in Edward Albee's American Dream
11: America and Race (1): Patriarchy in August Wilson's Fences
12: America and Race (2): Strategy for Rewriting History in Suzan-Lori Parks' The America Play
13: America and Race (3): The Question of Freedom in Suzan-Lori Parks' Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
14: Review and Discussion (2): (Student Presentations)
15: General Summary, Class Questionnaire
16: Final Examination
* The course schedule is subject to change. Details shall be provided in the first class, so please ensure your attendance.

Syllabus (Japanese site only)