This course surveys a range of Asian performances across a diversity of locations, from the traditional theater forms of Japanese Kabuki, Indonesian Wayang Kulit, and Indian Kathakali to modern forms in India and Japan to contemporary Chinese performance art. Theater forms like Chinese Jingju and Japanese Noh will prompt us to reevaluate what the performer does in rehearsal and in situations on and off the stage. By exploring recent modern and contemporary performance forms, we will reassess how an actor, dancer, or puppeteer can challenge the status quo and effect change. As we ask these questions, we will situate Asian performance within social, political, and historical contexts to understand its rich functions and significances.
5
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeEasy class if you write down everything presented on slides during lecture. Make sure to at least read the plays. readings that provide background on a performance aren't as important. Try to relate what is learned in lecture to how it is exhibited in the reading. Make sure to do all the assignments as they can be easy to forget to do.
Dr. Nakamura is so friendly and sweet. The content of the course that is covered is also very interesting. There is A LOT of reading to be done in order to get a good grade in the class but most of the reading is quite interesting. Short quizzes every week, midterm essay, and the final were not that bad though! Highly recommend her and this course!
Dr. Nakamura's lectures were very clear and she was extremely helpful during office hours. Although there is a lot of reading needed to be done to be successful on the quizzes, but they are not difficult reads. Two essays were the majority of the grade, so doing good on those is the goal.
Professor Nakamura is so nice and seems to really enjoy the topics she teaches about. In THTR 2B, you cover a lot of unique area of history not normally covered in a general history course, which is interesting. Basically in the online version you read a play and watch her lecture videos each week. Main assignments are short quizzes/short write-ups