The course is designed for undergraduate students to study and research on the modern classics of drama since 19th century realist movement. The first semester starts with the father of modern drama, Henrik Ibsen, followed by his Swedish contemporary Strindberg, Russia's Chekhov, and ends with Wilde's comedy of manners. Contemporary dramatic reflections on the classics such as Jelinek's response to A Doll's House, and Hare's dramatization of Wilde may be covered.
The second semester continues chronologically with Germany's maverick Brecht, and Spain's Garcia Lorca, before we study major American and English plays of the twentieth century, such as plays by Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Samuel Beckett, and Harold Pinter. The semester will close with a contemporary play, such as Patrick Marber's Closer.