Performative Arts

Ficha de unidade curricular - Ano letivo 2023/2024

Teaching language

Portuguese

Intended learning outcomes (Knowledges, skills and competencies to be developed by the students)

At the end of the curricular unit, students should be able to:

- Identify and understand the performative dimension in different contexts: on stage and in 'real' life.
- Define what performance is and the functions of performance.
- Master the basic concepts of performance and apply them to the analysis of social performance.
- Understand human performativity in social and professional intervention contexts.
- Understand the role of traditional and new media as a 'stage' for human performativity.
- Analyze something like performance.

Syllabus

1. Performing arts and 'real' performance
performance studies
‘It’ performance vs. ‘how’ performance
'Real Life' Performance vs. stage performance
The types of performance
The functions of performance

2. The world is a stage: performance in 'real' life
Man as the only dramatic species
Representation and spectacle as structuring dimensions of 'real' life
Actors and social roles
Subject and representation
Performance and identities
The art of managing prints

3. Performance in traditional and new media.
Public figures and performance: life as a meticulously staged spectacle.
Persona: the public version of the self.
Persona as a performative identity on social media.

Teaching methodologies

The subject is taught based on the balance between theoretical-expository and participatory classes. Inspired by the Problem Based Learning methodology, case studies will be carried out on the topics covered and readings, presentations and reflections by students (individual and in groups) will be requested as a way to make the learning process interactive.

Assessment methodologies and evidences

The evaluation mode includes: test (40%), classroom exercises (20%) and group work (40%).

Bibliography

Alexander, J. C.; Giesen, B.; Mast, J. L. (2006). Performance: Symbolic Action, Cultural Pragmatics, and Ritual. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Burke, P. (1992). O Mundo como Teatro: Estudos de Antropologia Histórica. Lisboa: Difel.
Debord, G. (1972). A Sociedade do Espetáculo. Lisboa: Afrodite.
Goffman, E. (1993). A Apresentação do Eu na Vida de Todos os Dias. Lisboa: Relógio D’Água.
Marshall, P. D.; Moore, C. & Barbour, K. (2020). Persona studies – an introduction. Nova Jersey: Wiley Blackwell.
Monteiro, P. F. (2010). Drama e Comunicação. Coimbra: Imprensa da Universidade de
Coimbra.
Schechner, R. (2013). Performance Studies: An Introduction. Londres e Nova Iorque: Routledge.
Schechner, R. (2003). Performance Theory. Londres e Nova Iorque: Routledge.
Turner, V. (1987). The Anthropology of Performance. Nova Iorque: PAJ.