HNRS 2021

Science in the Theatre and on Film

Fall, 2019 T, Th 4:30-5:50pm

To be taught by: Vince LiCata Department of Biological Sciences Adjunct Professor School of Theatre [email protected] 8-5233

Doctor Atomic

This course will focus on reading and discussion/analysis of science-based theatrical plays and films. Plays will be the primary emphasis, such that the course content ratio for the two genres will be about 80% plays, 20% movies. Texts to be studied will be fiction and creative non-fiction plays that have high scientific content, or underlying scientific content that is critical to the work. The course will examine how authors (including some of playwriting’s most recognized authors) have incorporated real scientific concepts or real science into stories that still make for compelling performance. Classical science fiction will not be included.

We will also use parts of the book Science on Stage: From Doctor Faustus to Copenhagen by K. Shepherd-Barr, Princeton Press, 2006. (All plays and other materials will be provided in pdf format). There will be approximately 14 plays and 4 movies studied.

Plays to Include: Galileo, Bertolt Brecht (1939): Hapgood and Arcadia, Tom Stoppard (1988 &1993); An Enemy of the People, Henrik Ibsen ((1882): Proof, David Auburn (2000): Doctor Faustus, Christopher Marlowe (1592); Oxygen, Carl Djerassi and Roald Hoffmann (2000): Miss Evers Boys, David Feldshuh (1990): Copenhagen, Michael Frayn (1998): A Number, Caryl Churchill (2002); Doctor Atomic (the opera), John Adams and Peter Sellars (2006).

Possible Movies: The Score (2005); Experimenter (2015); And the Band Played On (1993); Brain Candy (1996): The Elephant Man (1980)

Assignments and Grading will be similar to the normal requirements for English 2000: including: written essays, two exams, one oral presentation, and in-class discussion and participation. This course provides GenEd credit in either English or Art. *A science background or being a science major is NOT required! Appropriate for anyone, in any major, with an interest in science and theatre. Hapgood