Chekhov's Major Plays
| Module title | Chekhov's Major Plays |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLR1005 |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Katharine Hodgson (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
The four plays which Anton Chekhov wrote between 1896 and 1904 –â?¯The Seagull,â?¯Uncle Vanya,â?¯Three Sistersâ?¯andâ?¯The Cherry Orchardâ?¯â?¯–â?¯ have become part of the language of world theatre, offering audiences and readers timeless insight into the human condition. Thanks to Chekhov’s collaboration with the newly-founded Moscow Arts Theatre and its directors Konstantin Stanislavskii and Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, the plays stimulated and sometimes outraged audiences with their daring reconfiguration of theatrical convention. You will study three of these four plays in detail, exploring Chekhov’s use of language, imagery and characterisation.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module will focus on close reading and analysis of Chekhov’s drama with particular emphasis on Chekhov’s innovative approach to stylistic conventions, and the cultural resonance of his plays in the context of fin-de-siècle Russia. Material covered will explore the dynamics between authors, directors, actors and audiences in Russia at this period, as well as the representation of male and female protagonists in the plays set for study.
It allows students unfamiliar with the textual analysis of plays to explore this aspect of theatre studies in more depth. For those familiar with the discipline, it will provide a chance to complement their studies of performance and theatre practice, and to acquire in-depth knowledge of plays that have helped to form modern theatre.
No knowledge of Russian is required for this module.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate familiarity with the text and context at least three of Chekhovs major plays.
- 2. explain and give examples of how Chekhov contributed to the development of drama and stagecraft.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. under guidance from course tutors, describe and evaluate key critical responses to the topic and begin to apply standard critical approaches to the material independently;
- 4. present an argument in sound written English using basic textual evidence
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. perform structured learning activities with guidance from the course tutors and with the help of written guidelines;
- 6. Present personal conclusions to other members of the group, explaining and discussing them as appropriate
- 7. select, evaluate and organise material in order to produce, to a deadline, a written or oral argument;
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
An introduction to themes in Russian and European drama at the close of the nineteenth century
In-depth study ofâ?¯threeâ?¯of the following Chekhov plays (content will rotate from year to year):
The Seagull
Uncle Vanya
Three Sisters
The Cherry Orchard
In 2021-22, the module will coverâ?¯Uncle Vanya,â?¯Three Sisters, andâ?¯The Cherry Orchard.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 134 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 10 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 1 | Conclusion |
| Guided Independent Study | 114 | Reading texts and criticism |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | Formative assessment |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation in class | 10 minutes | 1-5, 7 | Written feedback |
| Essay plan | 500 words | 1-7 | Oral in class, option for meeting with tutor |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written examination | 100 | 1.5 hours, 2 questions | 1-5, 7 | Written comment |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written examination | Written examination | 1-5, 7 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Any three of Chekhov’s four major plays (to be set by course tutor)
- The Seagull
- Uncle Vanya
- Three Sisters
- The Cherry Orchard
Secondary Reading (selected)
- Karlinsky, Simon (ed.), Anton Chekhov’s Life and Thought: Selected Letters and Commentary, trans. Michael Henry Heim (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1975; Evanston: Nothwestern University Press, 1997)
- Malcolm, Janet, Reading Chekhov: A Critical Journey (London: Granta, 2004)
- Rayfield, Donald, Anton Chekhov: A Life (London: Harper Collins, 1997)
- Rayfield, Donald, Understanding Chekhov (London: Bristol Classical Press, 1998)
- Senelik, Laurence, The Chekhov Theatre: A Century of the Plays in Performance (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 31/01/2014 |
| Last revision date | 17/05/2021 |
