Paradigms of American Literature: The Politics of American Drama - Detailseite

This course aims to introduce students to the major plays and playwrights in their connections to socio-political movements from the 19th century to the late 20th century by highlighting theater techniques and events in the history of American Drama.   We will do a close textual analysis of the plays in terms of form, staging techniques, and content. We will trace the transformation of dramatic forms and themes through various periods and artistic movements, including melodrama, realism, expressionism, agitprop, queer theater, plastic theater, and the Harlem Renaissance. A broad and diverse range of plays and playwrights that examine the class, gender, and racial dynamics of their respective literary milieu will be studied to understand their contributions to the American theatrical landscape along with their commentary on contemporary political issues.