This module examines theatre as a cultural and political practice. The module investigates the ways in which theatre is shaped by the socio-political conditions in which it occurs and explores the effects of performance on the broader cultures in which it takes place. Students will examine theatre in its local, national and transnational contexts through the analysis of dramatic texts, theatre criticism, historical documents and performance events. The module builds on students’ work in level one by encouraging them to develop a self-reflexive critical practice that integrates script analysis with theoretical and historical inquiry. To this end, classes will examine the cultural politics of theatre through a diversity of materials and case studies and students will undertake an in-depth written study that engages the topical and methodological concerns of the module.