GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This class will explore performance studies, an interdisciplinary field which uses various conceptions of performance to analyze the world around us. To perform can mean many things: to execute (to perform an action), to bring about (to perform a ritual: “I hereby pronounce the official beginning of the Olympics”), to judge (“how well did she perform at the Olympics?”). This includes performance in the traditional sense, such as in the theater, but also in everyday life, in our societies and daily practices of living, how we think about ourselves and our relationship to society: how are we performing when we use SNS or when we change our behavior with friends or family? How can thinking about the world as a series of performances allow us to analyze the news, public elections, gender, branding, and technology. Throughout the class we will be using Richard Schechner’s textbook, developed to introduce Performance Studies, to guide the course. We will look at an overview of the major approaches used in the field, examine their theories, and explore how they can reveal important insights about our world.

In addition to teaching the students about the fundamentals to performance studies, this class aims to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Throughout the semester students will: 1) learn various methodologies and theories about performance; 2) explore how to apply these concepts to other subject matter beyond the theater; 3) to learn how to articulate what, where, how, and why we are performing; 4) learn how to conduct analyses on various topics by applying the concepts from performance studies.

Will be able to gain “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

Classes will be lecture-based, with visual material such as video clips and images. Students will be asked to have group discussions on certain themes. Students will be asked to have group discussions on certain themes. Each week students will be assigned a section from Schechner’s book. This reading will be important background information and/or will be directly addressed as the topic of the lecture and discussion. Lectures will explain in detail and through examples the topic for that class. Discussions based on the lecture will be facilitated by questions from the instructor to help the students explore and develop their critical and analytical skills for that topic. Students will be assessed on their understanding of the lectures and readings through their presentations and papers. Students will receive feedback in class and in written form, based on a grading rubric.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction

What is performance studies?

2[対面/face to face]：What is Performance?

Performance beyond the theatrical stage

3[対面/face to face]：Conceptualizing Performance

Ways of examining performances around us

4[対面/face to face]：Ritual Practices

Types of rituals across cultures

5[対面/face to face]：Modern Rituals

Regular practices in modern society

6[対面/face to face]：Playing and Performance

Thinking about "playing" beyond games

7[対面/face to face]：Philosophies of Play

Gradients of playfulness in various contexts

8[対面/face to face]：Performativity of Language

How are words active on us

9[対面/face to face]：Performativity of Gender

How gender is constituted as practice

10[対面/face to face]：Ways of Performing

Types of acting and their implications on us

11[対面/face to face]：Shifting Frames of Reference

Stages in everyday life and how they effect us

12[対面/face to face]：Intercultural Performances

Performance on the global stage

13[対面/face to face]：Student Presentations I

Student presentations

14[対面/face to face]：Student Presentations II

Student presentations; final paper submission

Students should complete the assigned readings before each class and study the notes they take in class. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Schechner, Richard. Performance Studies: An Introduction. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2013.

Bial, Henry. The Performance Studies Reader. 3rd ed., Routledge, 2013.

Participation 20%
Presentation 40%
Final paper 40%

Not applicable.

None.