This class provides a grounding in critical theory of theater. We pay special attention to the diversity of performance traditions from throughout the world and on decentering Eurocentric historiographies. We will read how different people have theorized theater and performance throughout history, focusing on how these concepts allow us to better understand contemporary theater today. This course is conducted through extensive reading and seminar-based discussion of key texts. At the end of this course, you will be able to correctly employ key concepts in theatre theory, such as mimesis, representation, modernity, and performance. You will also be able to discuss the historical and geographical distinctions between the use of these and other concepts. This course fulfills the theater theory requirement for Theater majors.