English 791CP - S-Intro/Performance Theory
Fall
2014
01
3.00
Daniel Sack
M 5:30PM 8:00PM
UMass Amherst
79500
Over the past fifty years, theories of performance have become influential
means for articulating questions of enactment, embodiment, representation,
and temporality in an increasingly mediated cultural landscape. This course
surveys some of the major strands of thought concerned with these many
forms of performance in the theatre, the gallery, and on the page. We will
devote particular attention to performativity derived from Speech Act
Theory and to how performance might question the nature of presence and
"liveness" in the 20th and 21st century. A portion of the course will be
treated as a workshop for exploring performative writing that seeks to join
the creative and critical voice. Each week we will accompany our
theoretical readings with the study of exemplary texts, performance
documentation, and live art from the surrounding area.
means for articulating questions of enactment, embodiment, representation,
and temporality in an increasingly mediated cultural landscape. This course
surveys some of the major strands of thought concerned with these many
forms of performance in the theatre, the gallery, and on the page. We will
devote particular attention to performativity derived from Speech Act
Theory and to how performance might question the nature of presence and
"liveness" in the 20th and 21st century. A portion of the course will be
treated as a workshop for exploring performative writing that seeks to join
the creative and critical voice. Each week we will accompany our
theoretical readings with the study of exemplary texts, performance
documentation, and live art from the surrounding area.
Open to Graduate students only.