BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature program at Bath Spa University is a three-year, full-time course providing a vibrant and supportive learning community for aspiring performers, theatre-makers, and literary scholars. It is structured to progressively build foundational performance skills and literary knowledge in the first year, explore diverse dramatic and literary forms and periods in the second, and culminate in specialized performance projects, advanced literary study, and a substantial interdisciplinary project in the final year. Students benefit from intensive drama workshops, engaging seminars and lectures on literature, opportunities for performance and textual analysis, and individual guidance from experienced drama practitioners and literary critics. A key element involves fostering a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling across both the stage and the page, and the rich interplay between dramatic and literary expression across time and cultures. The program fosters a collaborative and intellectually rigorous atmosphere, encouraging students to develop their creative potential and critical acumen in equal measure.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature program is designed to provide a comprehensive and integrated exploration of both performance and literary studies. Core modules typically cover acting techniques, theatre history, play analysis, and the study of key periods and genres of English literature, such as Shakespeare, Renaissance drama, and modern literature. As students progress, they have the opportunity to specialize in particular performance styles or dramatic forms through advanced drama workshops and to delve deeper into specific literary areas through elective modules, which may include dramatic theory, postcolonial literature, contemporary theatre practice, and adaptation studies. The program emphasizes the development of essential performance skills (voice, movement, characterization) alongside critical reading and analytical skills (close reading, theoretical application, contextual understanding). Students will engage in intensive drama workshops where they explore performance techniques and textual interpretation, participate in lively discussions and debates about dramatic and literary texts, and produce critical essays and presentations. The final year often includes a significant performance project or devised piece and a substantial piece of literary criticism or research that may explore the intersection of drama and literature.

Research Focus: The BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature program at Bath Spa University benefits from a research-informed learning environment within the School of Music and Performing Arts and the School of Humanities and Cultural Industries. The faculty comprises experienced drama practitioners and literary scholars who are actively engaged in their own creative practice and academic research across a wide range of theatrical traditions, literary periods, and critical theories. This research informs the curriculum, ensuring that students are exposed to current trends in both performance and literary scholarship, innovative theatrical practices, and cutting-edge critical perspectives. Students are encouraged to develop their own research interests through critical essays, presentations, and their final year interdisciplinary project, fostering intellectual curiosity and analytical skills relevant to both their creative and critical pursuits.

Industry Engagement: Bath Spa University's BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature program actively fosters connections with both the performing arts and literary industries. The program may facilitate guest workshops and masterclasses led by professional actors, directors, playwrights, and other theatre professionals, as well as guest lectures by published authors, editors, and literary agents. Students may have opportunities to participate in theatre productions, literary events, and writing workshops. The university often has its own theatre spaces and may support student-led performances and publications. The curriculum may include modules focused on professional development in both the performing arts and literary fields, equipping students with practical skills for navigating these industries.

Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) Drama and English Literature program at Bath Spa University incorporates a global perspective by exploring diverse theatrical traditions and literary works from around the world. The curriculum may include the study of non-Western dramatic forms, global theatre histories, postcolonial literature, and world drama in translation. The university's diverse international student body contributes to a global learning environment, fostering discussions and collaborations across different cultural perspectives on theatre and literature. Furthermore, the program may touch upon topics such as intercultural performance, the global circulation of literary texts, and the role of drama and literature in shaping cross-cultural understanding, preparing graduates to engage with a diverse and interconnected global artistic and intellectual landscape.