Module Identifier
DR25910
Module Title
APPLIED THEATRE
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Stephen M Greer
Semester
Semester 2

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 10 x 1 Hours
Other Workshops 10 x 2 Hours
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Devise a fragment of Theatre & Education (20 minutes)  Organise a 2-day placement (observation) in a primary/secondary school  20%
Semester Assessment Devise a fragment of Theatre in Education (20 minutes)  Essay: 2000 words  40%
Semester Assessment Essay: 2,500 words  Resubmission of failed elements. Essay (2,500 words) to a new title. Devise an individual plan for a fragment of TiE (10 minutes)  40%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmission of failed elements.  Organise a 2-day placement in a school. Essay (2,500 words) to a new title. Devise an individual plan for a fragment of TIE (10 minutes). 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

  1. Articulate an understanding of the educational, theatrical and philosophical issues pertinent to current TIE practice.
  2. To contribute positively to practical work, demonstrating a development of interpersonal, research and creative skills
  3. Manifest a practical and creative understanding of TIE as an individual, and as a member of a group.
  4. Give evidence of the ability to take responsibility for practical work by considering their contribution to the devising of a fragment of TIE and evaluating the skills required to do so.
  5. To present academically and practically, an understanding of process as an inherent part of the TIE experience, for both the performer and audience.
  6. Demonstrate, academically and practically, a mature analysis and reflection on the development of the child, personally, and within the learning context in the school.

Brief description

This is a module which consists of weekly hour-long lectures and a 2-hour workshop analyzing material which is purposefully challenging in both form and content. There will be alloted times to view Videos/DVDs to expand on the lecture, seminar and reading materials. THe TIE Handbook will be a constant source of reference. There is a strong emphasis on students developing ideas in a practical and intellectual way concerning the Theatre in Education process. It is important to note that students will be expected to make connections with the lecture material and the work developed in the practical sessions.

Aims

History and theory of Theatre in Education 1960 - 2004. Using a strong practical element to support academic development and understanding, the module aims to prepare the student for DR32820 as well as give each individual a thorough grounding in the principles and practice of TIE and its relationship to theatre, education and theatre studies.

Content

The teaching for this module will involve students in the study of the inception and growth of TIE. The various styles and methods which have developed and changed its forms of delivery to young people and children will be explored and questioned in seminars and workshops; these will work to facilitate a deeper understanding of the philosophy and practices particular to this theatre medium, and enable students, should they decide to take TIE: Part Two (DR32820), to make informed decisions about the framework and structure of the programmes that they eventually take out to schools.

Lectures, seminars and workshops will include the following areas of enquiry:

Lectures (10 in total)
1. History and Theory of TIE
2. The TIE facilitator and performer
3. Participatory TIE
4. TIE at home and abroad
5. Training and professional development in TIE
6. Current issues in TIE: local education authorities, curriculum and testing
7. TIE and child development
8. The national curriculum and its impact on TIE
9. Running a company and touring schools
10. Associated branches of practice: theatre in healthcare, prisons and probation

Workshops (10 in total)
1. Definitions and Contexts: TIE as a learning medium and the school as a performing space
2. The devising and scripting process, working as a company and workshop technique (1)
3. The devising and scripting process, working as a company and workshop technique (2)
4. The devising and scripting process, working as a company and workshop technique (3)
5. The audience and the space
6. Research techniques
7. Research techniques
8. Evaluating TIE programmes (1)
9. Evaluating TIE programmes (2)
10. Image and language in performance for children and young people

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number There will be specfic reference to budgeting and funding on the module, but these areas are not directly assessed.
Communication An essential part of the academic and practical work, and an inherent part of TIE, this skill will be demonstrated, developed and assessed continuously, during this module.
Improving own Learning and Performance As part of TIE methodology, and the heuristic methods of education it propounds, students will be evaluating their own process and performance as proof of their understanding of the module.
Information Technology This is not directly taught on the module, however, it relates to their work surrounding research skills, such as, collecting and collating information and contacting relevant people and resources. Extensive use of the internet is expected during the module.
Personal Development and Career planning Training and Professional development is a taught element on the module. Students will be aware that a positive assessment of their personal development will directly affect their chances of being registered for DR32820. The educational and therapeutic contexts explored on the course enables students to consider career options with greater accuracy.
Problem solving The student will be expected to analyse, reflect on, participate in, and anticipate problem solving during workshops, practicals and the devising of the fragment. The consideration and exploration of problems as an educational device is an integral constituent of the TIE process and is examined in depth during the module.
Research skills Developed in preparation for, and as a result of, lectures, workshops and practical work, this skill will be assessed as part of the essay and fragment
Subject Specific Skills Theatre in Education: Part One raises an awareness of a contemporary form of theatre and theatre studies with strong connections both nationally and internationally. Encouraging students to devise and present work in the field, both academically and practically, results in an experience which encompasses analysis, theory and practice. Students taking the module are constantly evaluating the complexities, connections and comparisons between theatre and education.
Team work This skill is specifically addressed on the module and will be evaluated and assessed in relation to their contribution towards classwork and the creation of a TIE fragment.

Reading List

Essential Reading
Boal, A (1992) Games for Actors and Non-Actors Routledge Primo search Hopkins,E ((2005)) Playing Out Argraff, Cardiff Primo search Jackson, T (1993) Learning Through Theatre Routledge Primo search Oddey, A (2004) Devising Theatre Routledge Primo search Recommended Text
Casdagli, P., Gobey, F with Griffin., C (1990) Only Playing Miss! Trentham Books Primo search Davies, H.W. (2005) Now We're Talking Parthian Primo search Edwards, D (1998) The Shakespeare Factory, Moon River: The Deal, David Seren Primo search Friere, P (1972) Pedagogy of the Oppressed Penguin Primo search Johnson, L & O'Neill C (1984) Dorothy Heathcote: Collected Writings on Education and Drama Hutchinson Primo search O'Toole, J (1992) The Process of Drama: Negotiating art and meaning Routledge Primo search O'Toole, J (1976) Theatre in Education: New objectives for theatre - new techniques in education Unibooks Primo search Redington, C (1983) Can Theatre Teach Pergamon Primo search Robinson, K (1980) Exploring Theatre and Education Heinemann Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5