SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Sex & Violence in Performance

This course is structured around a series of case studies of particular moments in the history of the representation of sex and violence in dramatic and musical performances.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the winter term
Learning Outcomes
After completing MUTH 201, you will be able to:
- Identify the central recurring social issues engaged through the representation of sex and violence in performance;
- List a range of aesthetic strategies for representing controversial aspects of human experience;
- Explain the use of performance to moderate the tensions between psychological impulses and cultural imperatives;
- Demonstrate how controversial works engage philosophical and practical issues of censorship;
- Demonstrate how appeals to both pleasure and disgust play a role in formulating an intellectual response to a performance;
- Analyze how the interplay between emotion and artistic form works to affect the judgment of an audience;
- Analyze how critical readings of the specific historical examples included in this course can be extended to inform the interpretation of other works of performance.
Description
This course is structured around a series of case studies of particular moments in the history of the representation of sex and violence in dramatic and musical performances. While these themes have been often regarded as taboo, the history of performance shows that we have never been able to resist these themes for long. Indeed, considering dangerous ideas through the medium of performance is one of the most valuable contributions music and drama can make to civilization.
To some degree, the history of sex and violence in performance is a history of changing tastes and changing morals. With that in mind, we will try to avoid two pitfalls that could threaten to put an end to useful discussion: excessive censoriousness and mindless titillation. To put the point plainly, it is not our business to attack and sanctimoniously lecture those living in earlier ages for not being as enlightened as our selves. But neither does this mean that we should take an entirely uncritical attitude. The possibility of real learning falls somewhere in between.
Terms
Evaluation
60% Weekly Learning Forum (12 x 5%)
40% Online Final Exam
**Evaluation Subject to change.**
Final Examination
Students must write their exam on the day and time scheduled by the University. The start time may vary slightly depending on the off-campus exam centre. Do not schedule vacations, appointments, etc., during the exam period.
Instructor
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
All materials necessary for the course are available either in onQ or through the Queen's Library e-Reserves.
Time Commitment
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend on average, about 10-12 hours per week on the course.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
Letter Grade | Grade Point |
A+ | 4.30 |
A | 4.00 |
A- | 3.70 |
B+ | 3.30 |
B | 3.00 |
B- | 2.70 |
C+ | 2.30 |
C | 2.00 |
C- | 1.70 |
D+ | 1.30 |
D | 1.00 |
D- | 0.70 |
F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.