Course Objectives

• To provide a broad study of the major developments in British drama over the past 60 years
• To relate drama to the changes in British society
• To examine the work of specific writers in detail
• To stimulate critical analysis through written work and discussion
• To give practical information about how to write theatre reviews

Please note it is not possible to take both CAS EN 357 and CFA DR 443 whilst studying in London. CAS EN 357 is taught in conjunction with COM JO 710 during the Fall term only.

There is a course fee of £35 (subject to change) for this class to contribute towards the cost of theatre tickets.

Course Comments

"Professor Aleks Sierz is a delight! Not many teachers have stimulated a whole class full of students of different interests - to talk excitedly about the theatre past and present. The class was the perfect way to go around London in a new way and helped to bring the theatre world alive." Anon., Fall 2009

"Professor Sierz was by far the best professor I had whilst studying abroad in this programme, and he's one of the best I've had in my college career. His lectures were dynamic, engaging and challenging." Joy Tesensky, Fall 2009

"I took this class hoping to gain a wider understanding of British theater ad the chance to hone my skills. It was everything I had hoped for and more. Aleks kept lectures funny and engaging and really got everyone in the class to participate. I feel like I learned a lot and really enjoyed the whole experience." Anon., Spring 2009

“I thoroughly enjoyed this class and Aleks was a fabulous teacher. The material was very interesting and I never found myself bored. The plays we saw were great picks and covered a good range of topics and styles. Aleks is entertaining and quite a character. I learned a lot! I’d definitely take another course taught by him if I could.” Julia Sokolyansky, Spring 2008

“I thoroughly enjoyed this class. I had no outside experience with British Theatre prior to this course and I think taking EN 357 added a cultural piece to my abroad experience which I would not have experienced without taking the course. Great teacher, great course!” Christine Gentilucer, Fall 2008

Faculty Information

Dr Aleks Sierz holds a first-class honours degree in Politics and Modern History from Manchester University, an MA in Arts Criticism from City University, London, and a PhD from Westminster University. He has spent all his working life in the fields of academia and journalism. He is currently the theatre critic of Tribune and The Stage. He is Visiting Professor at Rose Bruford College and has previously taught at Goldsmiths College, University of London, and at Westminster University. He is also a freelance arts journalist for The Sunday Times, The Independent and The Telegraph. He is a former Hon Sec of the Drama Section of the Critics' Circle, and the proud author of the bestselling In-Yer-Face Theatre: British Drama Today (Faber, 2001), The Theatre of Martin Crimp (Methuen Drama, 2006) and, most recently, John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger (Continuum, 2008).

Course Syllabus and Materials

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