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Gender, Race and Society in Early Modern Drama (Q3202)

30 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

This module explores gender, race and society in plays performed principally on the London stages, from 1580 to 1680.

We will look at plays by dramatists such as William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Aphra Behn, Margaret Cavendish, performed in a period of dramatic and far-reaching changes. At the start of this period women were forbidden from performing on the public stage; by the end there were a number of celebrated women writers and actors. In the same period the first British Empire was established and a revolution saw the king deposed and executed. How did playwrights respond to these major transformations, and how do notions of gender, race and society intersect in the plays they wrote?

We'll also consider the adaption of early modern plays for contemporary audiences. There will be a small amount of creative writing and workshopping of students' work (essays or creative writing).

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.