Bahir Dar University

Faculty of Humanities
Department of Cinema and Theatre Arts
Course Guide
Module name Survey Instructor’s name Menor Tesfa
Module code M01 Phone no Mobile _______________________
Course name Survey of Ethiopian Email: _______________________________
theatre
Course Code: CiTAr 3015 Office Location: _______________________
Mode of delivery: semester Consultation Hrs: _______________________
Credit Hrs: 3
I. Course Description
The course focuses on the introduction of modern theatre of Ethiopia, School drama, and
professional theatres; i.e. National theatre, hager-Fiker theatre, Ras theatre and others. It also
encompasses the theatre experiences of creative Arts Center of Addis Ababa University. The
creative lives and works of known play wrights, actors/actresses, directors, and translators will
also be discussed.
II. Objectives of the course
This course is designed to introduce students with history of Ethiopian Theatre from 1900-up to
now. It tries to give knowledge about the places, peoples and conditions where theatre was
started in Ethiopia. And also give emphasis for those who had played a great role to bring the
modern Ethiopian theatre as it stands today
III. Learning Outcomes
After the course is completed, the students will be able to
• Clearly identify the beginning of modern Ethiopian theatre
• Describe theatre characteristics of each year.
• Elaborate the popular practitioners of modern Ethiopian theatre
• Know the historical background of Ethiopian theatre.
 IV. Contents
An over view of Ethiopian traditional performances

Ethiopian theatre from 1900 to 1928

The beginning of modern Ethiopian theatre;

School drama and its role,

People who played a great role in school dramas

Melaku Begosew

Hadis Alemayehu

Kevork Nalbandian

Ethiopian theatre during Italian aggression (1928-1933)

Ethiopian theatre from 1933 to 1952

Theatre houses

Dramatists and their plays

Ethiopian theatre from 1953 to 1966

Ethiopian theatre from 1967 to 1983

Department of theatre arts

Theatre houses

Dramatists and their plays

Versatile artists

Ethiopian theatre after 1984

Theatre houses

Theater Schools

Dramatists and their plays

 I. Mode of Delivery
The mode of delivery for this course is interactive teaching and learning, independent learning
and collaborative learning.

A. Students’ Activities

• Following the lectures

• Making use of delivered materials and references
• Doing and submitting assignments
B. Instructor’s Activities:

- Delivering lectures
- Giving immediate assistance
- Following students’ progress and giving directions
- Giving assignments and evaluating timely
- Supervision
II. Mode of Assessment
A Combination of different tasks will be used in assessing students’ Performance and
achievements;

 Attendance 5%
 Class Participation 5%
 Assignment 10%
 Test (2) 20%
 Quiz 10%
 Final Exam 50%
 Total 100%
Reading Materials

- Akalu getaneh: “Comedy and social purpose two plays of mengistulema.”(1981)

- Tsegaye g/medihin: “tewodros Ethiopian observer.” (1964)
- Debebe seifu: “Ethiopian literature in English.” (1980) L.kane, Thomas: “Ethiopian
literature in Amharic.” (1975)
- Gerard, albert: “Four African literature xhosa, sotho, zulu, Amharic.” (1971)
- MolvareReidulf k. “Black liones the creative lies of modern Ethiopian’s literary giants
and pioneers.” (1997)