Performance Studies

This graduate course introduces students to the
interdisciplinary field of performance studies.
We will investigate performance and
performativity as theoretical concepts influenced
by-and influencing- trends in anthropology,
theatre, dance, and visual, rhetorical, gender,
and cultural studies. This course takes into
consideration and complicates assumptions about
embodiment, spectatorship, agency, subjectivity,
action, and community. Troubling the supposed
divide between practice and theory, this course
will provide the opportunity to exercise
performative writing and ethnography, as well as
live performance in an academic context. In a
collaborative spirit, we will share work with
each other. Readings will include selections from
Schechner, Jackson, Phelan, Foster, Lepecki,
Taylor, Turner, Taussig, Brecht, Schneider,
Moten, Hartman, Austin, and Butler. In addition
to creating written work, students will attend up
to two performances in LA, and have the
opportunity to create a short performance work.
Ultimately, we will keep in mind that performance
operates as both a critical
lens and an object of study. Students will be
expected to engage in invested textual,
theoretical, and formal/performance analysis,
relating the course material to their own theses
and other critical or practice-based
investigations. Requirements include close
reading of text and performance, weekly written
responses on text and performance, up to two
short essays, and one longer final essay. While
this course fulfills a Dance MFA requirement, it
is open to graduate students across campus.

Students should expect to spend approx. $100 for
books and performances.