A course exploring Western theatre and drama in a variety of periods. Theatre performances and plays will be analyzed as functions of different fields of influence (economic realities of production and attendance; politics and power relations within and outside the theatre; social norms regarding gender, race, ethnicity, religion, family, etc.; aesthetic values of the time). In addition, the course is meant to introduce students to methods of critical research and issues of historiography. Contributes to Race and Ethnicities Studies.