This module examines theoretical texts and ideas that have shaped our contemporary understanding of performance, theatre and culture. It offers a distinctive, performance-oriented route into looking at some work of wider theoretical, philosophical, and political importance. It aims to provide students with a diverse range of theoretical and historical starting points from which to consider the study of theatre and performance. It also offers students an historical frame of reference through which to situate the practice and study of theatre and performance in relation to other disciplines and social practices, and to submit the concept of performance and performance studies to critical and historical scrutiny.