Overview
In this unit you will explore theatre for social change across a range of forms. Through a study of the theatrical work and styles of Brecht, Boal and Artaud, you will connect current social issues to these styles. Through an analysis of contemporary theatre, film and television, you will explore how creatives use these theatrical styles to comment on social issues.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: Minimum of 18 credit points Antirequisite: Students who have completed THTR13126 Theatre Studies 5: Realism to Epic Theatre cannot enrol in this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Staff reflection
Creative work in response to unit materials
Continue to use a creative component as part of the assessment to encourage deep thinking and application of the unit themes.
- Analyse the theatrical techniques and intentions of Brecht, Boal and Artaud
- Research how creatives have used the theatrical styles of Brecht, Boal and Artaud to comment on social issues
- Apply selected techniques of Brecht, Boal and Artaud to create a script and rationale that comments on a current social issue
- Execute selected techniques of Brecht, Boal and Artaud in a recorded performance of an original script.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Research Assignment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||
| 3 - Creative work - 40% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.lorenza@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
What is theatre for social change?
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
The theatre of Brecht
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
The theatre of Artaud
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
The theatre of Boal
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Recent examples on stage, film and television
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Identifying local and regional issues
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Creating a presentation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Writing a script or screenplay
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Filming and practical work
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Peer review of presentations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Research Assignment
Mode: Spoken PowerPoint presentation, live in class.
Length: 5 minutes
- 5 minute spoken presentation
- The presentation should include a Powerpoint including a title slide with your name and title of the case study.
- The final slide should include your reference list.
- You may use text, images and video files (no longer than 60 seconds in length)
- At the end of the presentation, you must submit a PDF of the powerpoint slides through Moodle.
- Do not just read your document to the audience, but use your notes only as a guide.
- All technological issues are your responsibility.
- Imagine you are an actor who will participate in a production influenced by Brecht's techniques.
- How will you approach this production in terms of your approach to text and your physicality as an actor?
- What types of production elements are you likely to encounter in this work?
- Refer to the original manifesto of Brecht, as well as a specific example of a play by this author.
- This presentation should be given in the first person.
AI Assessment Scale: Level 1 - You must not use AI at any point during this assessment. You must demonstrate your
core skills and knowledge. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of
academic integrity.
Please note: The 72-Hour grace period may be applied in consultation with your lecturer.
Week 6 Monday (13 Apr 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
In class presentation
Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026)
Grade provided on Moodle
- Clear introduction and conclusion for the presentation (10%)
- Accuracy of information and depth of treatment of the topic (15%)
- Appropriate and clear Powerpoint presentation to support the argument (25%)
- Ability to present the argument clearly and logically during the spoken presentation (25%)
- Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out of slides (10%)
- Correct use of APA 7th edition style for the Reference list final slide (15%)
- Analyse the theatrical techniques and intentions of Brecht, Boal and Artaud
- Research how creatives have used the theatrical styles of Brecht, Boal and Artaud to comment on social issues
2 Written Assessment
Length: 750 - 1000 words
The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Task:
-
Write a proposal for the creative work you will perform for Assessment 3.
-
The aim of your creative work in Assessment 3 is to educate your the audience about an issue of significance today using aspects of the theatrical styles of Brecht, Boal and/or Artaud.
-
This proposal should be in response to an issue of social change in your locale.
-
Your creative work must include you as a visible performer.
-
You may include other performers in your creative work, but keep this to a minimum.
Your proposal and rationale should cover:
- What is the issue for social change in your locale?
- How will you apply the theatrical styles of Brecht, Boal and/or Artaud in your presentation?
- Why do these particular aspects work for this presentation? This should explain the relationship between the content of the message and the audience with whom you are communicating.
Assignment format:
- Use 12 point Times New Roman font for the body of the essay.
- 1.5 spacing throughout
- You may use sub-headings if you wish to organise your assignment. These may be in a different colour or different size font.
- Include in-text references (citations) throughout the assignment.
- Include your name and student number in the header of the document
- Include page numbers in the footer of the document
- Include a Reference List at the end of the assignment in APA style, 7th edition.
- You should have a minimum of 15 references for this assignment
- Do NOT cite from Wikipedia or other websites that do not have an acknowledged author.
AI Assessment Scale: Level 1 - You must not use AI at any point during this assessment. You must demonstrate your
core skills and knowledge. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of
academic integrity.
Please note: The 72-Hour grace period may be applied in consultation with your lecturer.
Week 8 Monday (4 May 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Word document submitted on Moodle
Week 9 Friday (15 May 2026)
Grade provided on Moodle
- Clear identification of the issue (15%)
- Identification of devices from Brecht, Boal or Artaud (25%)
- Clear justification of the devices selected and why they have been selected for the identified issue (25%)
- Ability to write clearly and logically (15%)
- Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation and clear lay-out (10%)
- Correct use of APA 7th the style for the references list and in-text references (10%)
- Apply selected techniques of Brecht, Boal and Artaud to create a script and rationale that comments on a current social issue
3 Creative work
Length:
- Audiovisual recording of 5 - 7 minutes;
- Accompanying script/ screenplay
The aim of your pre-recorded audiovisual presentation is to educate your audience about an issue of social change in your locale (region or community) using aspects of the theatrical styles championed by Boal or Artaud and practitioners explored in the unit.
Part A:
The aim of your pre-recorded creative work is to educate your audience about an issue of social change in your locale (region or community) using aspects of the theatrical styles championed by Boal or Artaud and practitioners explored in the unit.
- Record a 5 - 7 minute creative work as described in Assessment 2: Creative work proposal and rationale
- Upload to Youtube and provide a link in the Upload of Creative Work for Peer Assessment below.
- Upload the script/ screenplay as a Word document in the Assessment 3: Teacher's Grade.
- You (the student) must be visible in this creative work as a performer.
- You may use other performers to assist you, but keep this to a minimum.
Due Date: Week 12 Monday 11.45pm
Part B:
- Review the presentations of your class members and provide an assessment based on the questions provided.
- Reviews to be completed by 11.45pm Friday, Week 12.
Due Date: Week 12 Friday11.45pm
Submit the following to Moodle (Teacher's Grade):
- Word document of your script/screenplay
- Link to the creative work
- Due Date: Week 12 Monday 11.45pm
Format for your creative work:
- This is to be a pre-recorded creative work of 5 - 7 minutes in length.
- Include your name and student number in the opening credits of the recording.
- You (the student) must be visible in this creative work as a performer.
- You may use other performers to assist you, but keep this to a minimum.
- Be creative!
AI Assessment Scale: Level 1 - You must not use AI at any point during this assessment. You must demonstrate your
core skills and knowledge. Any misuse or lack of disclosure regarding the use of AI tools will be considered a breach of
academic integrity.
Please note: The 72-Hour grace period will not apply to this assessment.
Week 12 Monday (1 June 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
This is the due date for the script/screenplay, and link to the creative work to be uploaded in Moodle (Teacher's Grade) and also the creative work to the peer review portal on Moodle.
Exam Week Friday (12 June 2026)
Grade provided on Moodle
- Clear identification of the social issue through the creative work (20%)
- Effective choices of theatrical devices to suit the intended audience (20%)
- Compelling and well executed performance of the creative work (30%)
- Effective script or screenplay to accompany the audiovisual recording (10%)
- Peer assessment (20%)
- Apply selected techniques of Brecht, Boal and Artaud to create a script and rationale that comments on a current social issue
- Execute selected techniques of Brecht, Boal and Artaud in a recorded performance of an original script.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
