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DRAM10030

Academic Year 2026/2027

Theatre Matters (DRAM10030)

Subject:
Drama Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
English, Drama & Film
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Emma Bennett
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Theatre Matters is an introductory module, offering a number of starting points for the study of drama, theatre and performance at university level. The first and most important starting point is the title of the module, which is framed as a question: does theatre matter? In a world of community technology and social media, how can an ancient artform such as theatre, based on shared presence not only survive, but make a difference? How can theatre matter?

This module invites you to consider these questions by engaging with the rich cultures of theatre and performance in contemporary Dublin, and with the exciting fields of study associated with Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies internationally. Through a combination of lectures, small group teaching, and field trips, you will experience different approaches to the study of theatre as a live event, an industry, and an enduring artform. You will encounter some of the ways people argue - often passionately - about theatre's role in critiquing the status quo, presenting the image of an ideal society, or imagining alternative futures. You will think about the challenges that both artists and audiences face in creating, accessing and interpreting performances, and learn about working roles in the theatre, and consider the significance of collaborative work in staging a live theatrical event.

Throughout, you will develop your skills in discussion and written analysis of live performance, and gain insight into current debates on the artistic, and cultural functions of theatre in a changing world.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Through participation in this module, students will:
- Gain a broad understanding of the cultural contexts for theatre across cultures and in Ireland.
- Encounter key issues and methods in the study of theatre and performance.
- Understand and analyse the ways theatre makes meaning, including the role of the audience in interpreting live performances.
- Develop awareness of the different production contexts and processes associated with varied forms of contemporary theatre.
- Participate in reflective discussion about specific works of theatre.

Indicative Module Content:

The module has two parts:

PART 1 focuses on key creative principles in the study of theatre, including the role of the spectator, the significance of the collaborative ensemble, the stage space, and questions around how live theatrical events are recorded and remembered.

PART 2 examines how these principles work in practice, through focusing on theatrical activity taking place in Dublin now (this may include the work of venues - such as The Abbey or Project Arts Centre - theatre-makers themselves, or those who support their work through funding, promotion, and/or other production-focused or backstage roles). Students will engage in independent research and have opportunities to encounter people who work in the theatre industry.

Throughout, students will develop their skills in performance analysis attending at least one live performance, and engaging in small group discussion of recordings and documents of performances.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Small Group

12
Autonomous Student Learning

86
Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and small group seminars.

Talks from selected visiting artists/professionals, and field trips to theatre venues.

Independent research on Dublin-based theatre makers and venues.

Attendance at a live theatre performance.

Supported writing and discussion tasks leading to a written critical analysis of a live performance.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Written analysis in response to questions about case studies, applying critical frameworks encountered in the module readings. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
55
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Mid-Term Performance Analysis: short written analysis of a live performance.
Week 6 Graded No
30
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Engagement with weekly lecture topics, set readings, and class discussions evidenced by short written responses and/or quizzes submitted online. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
15
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given by week 10. End of term exam feedback will be offered in the post-assessment period.

Allain, Paul, and Jen Harvie. The Routledge Companion to Theatre and Performance. Routledge, 2014.

Balme, Christopher B. The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Studies. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2008.

Bleeker, Maaike, Adrian Kear, Joe Kelleher and Heike Roms, editors. Thinking Through Theatre. Bloomsbury, 2019.

Freshwater, Helen. Theatre & Audience. Palgrave Macmillan, 2009

Grene, Nicholas, and Chris Morash. The Oxford Handbook of Modern Irish Theatre. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2016.

Holdsworth, Nadine. Theatre & Nation. Palgrave Macmillan, 2009.

Jordan, Eamonn, and Eric Weitz.. The Palgrave Handbook of Contemporary Irish Theatre and Performance. Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.

Pilkington, Lionel. Theatre & Ireland. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010

Sedgman, Kirtsty. The Reasonable Audience, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.

Walsh, Fintan. That was Us: Contemporary Irish Theatre and Performance. Oberon Books, 2013.

Name Role
Dr Emma Bennett Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paul Halferty Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Samantha Cade Tutor
Lia Capotorto Tutor
Alicky Hess Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 12:00 - 12:50
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