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Key facts
| Type | Weekly Classes |
|---|---|
| Location | Oxford |
| Address | Ewert House Ewert Place Summertown Oxford |
| Dates | Tue 2 Oct to Tue 4 Dec 2012 Day: Tuesday Time of meeting: 7.30-9.30pm Number of meetings: 10 |
| Subject area(s) | Literature |
| CATS points | 10 |
| Fees | From £165.00 |
| Application status | Course ended |
| Course code | O12P687LTW |
| Course contact | If you have any questions about this course, please email ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk. |
Overview
A detailed study of 'Life of Galileo' by Brecht, 'The Physicists' by Durrenmatt and 'Copenhagen' by Michael Frayn. Each play explores major dilemmas for scientists as they struggle to keep their research, wider society and their own humanity in balance.Description
A study of three plays about the implications of scientific research. In 1939 Berthold Brecht wrote 'Life of Galileo', partly to repudiate Nazism by celebrating scientific research as the answer to dogmatism and stupidity. But when scientists learnt how to create the atom bomb, Galileo's historical confrontation with the Church appeared in a different light. Brecht re-wrote Life of Galileo - twice.In 1962 the Swiss dramatist, Friedrich Dürrenmatt wrote 'The Physicists', a play in which madmen debate the choices that atomic physicists must make, in a mingling of farce and tragedy.
In 1998 Michael Frayn wrote 'Copenhagen', a play which explores the tangle of men's motives when science, ambition, patriotism and the respect of colleagues put pressures on brilliant scientists on opposing sides in war.
Brecht's exuberance, Dürrenmatt's absurdity and Frayn's psychological tension are focused on scientific conundrums of the modern world. Students are NOT required to have any special scientific knowledge.
Programme details
We will discuss the plays in the following order:Berthold Brecht Life of Galileo (The Methuen Modern Plays edition gives a great deal of very useful background information.)
Friedrich Dürrenmatt The Physicists (This is available in a Samuel French acting edition. Full text but no notes).
Michael Frayn Copenhagen (An excellent Methuen Drama edition with an essay by Michael Frayn
Part of the course will be devoted to comparing the three plays, but they will first be considered in their own right as dramatic works of literature.
Staff
Mrs Karen Hewitt
Role: Tutor
Karen Hewitt teaches regularly for OUDCE and runs literature seminars in Russian Universities. She has published 'Understanding Literature', and has...more
Course aims
Course Aim:The aim of the course is to understand and enjoy Life of Galileo, The Physicists and Copenhagen, three plays dealing with some of the central dilemmas faced by scientists.
Course Objectives:
To examine appropriate critical approaches to three very different plays; to consider how well science can be explored in drama; I take it for granted that detailed and intelligent reading of good literature is an ‘objective’ in itself.
Assessment methods
Reading these works with care is part of the assessment. Students will be encouraged to take part in discussions. As they build up their understanding of the plays, they will be expected to complete some written work either by writing an essay, or 3 shorter pieces.Teaching methods
Students should try to read 'Life of Galileo' by Brecht before the class starts. The classes will be based on detailed discussion of the plays and the scientific dilemmas they explore. Where necessary, the tutor will provide contextual information and some (not-very-scientific) explanation of the issues.Teaching outcomes
At the end of this course students should (1) have greater understanding and enjoyment of three fine European plays; (2) be able to assess various ways of discussing drama; (3) have learnt much about the planets of Jupiter, the power of milk, the delusions of Newton and the significance of the Uranium235 isotope.Apply for this course
Sorry, this course is not currently accepting applications. If you have any questions about this course, please use the course enquiry form.