Research and Performance
| Module title | Research and Performance |
|---|---|
| Module code | DRA1012 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Pamela Woods (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 125 |
|---|
Module description
Research and Performance is an exciting studio-based module that culminates in a festival of performances from each tutor group.
At the start of the term the year cohort is divided into six individual tutor groups. Each tutor will offer a different specialism to their group, this could be anything from Dance Theatre to Commedia dell’Arte to Performance Art. The different areas of research will depend on which tutors are teaching that year. The idea of the module is that you theoretically and practically engage with a particular area of research and develop your own group performance from that exploration. This means that you are not staging a performance for ‘the sake of it’, rather you learn to develop a performance that is critically, creatively and thoughtfully developed from a particular area of research.
You will spend the first part of the term creatively exploring, experimenting and learning about your particular field of research. Then you will move on to creating your final performance pieces. Everyone in the group will perform in the final piece, however you will also have the chance to explore other roles such as creative writing, directing, sound, etc, depending on what is suitable to your particular area of research. Following the showings you will critically reflect on your peers’ performances as well as your own.
You will have an average of six hours taught studio sessions per week as well as self-directed time in which to complete creative tasks and rehearsals. You will also be taught through seminars and lectures. Apart from the in-studio work, you will also complete a number of research tasks, presentations, critical and reflective writing assignments, independent research and reading, as well as other creative assignments as appropriate to your particular area of research.
The sessions are predominantly studio-based, however, throughout the module we encourage you to explore and understand the connections between theory and practice, rather than treat them as separate entities. You will effectively learn how to practice theory and theorise practice.
This module is a great one to get your teeth into. Not only can it expose you to areas of Drama that you didn't even know existed, but is also a great way to discover particular roles that really interest you – you may suddenly discover that you are a closet director or costumier!
Incoming international students and Exeter students from other disciplines welcome, subject to availability. In addition to drama, theatre, and performance students this module will engage the interest of students from English literature, history, philosophy, psychology, music, and politics.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to:
- introduce you to the principles and practice of theatrical production and convention drawn from a particular area of research overseen by the module convenor.
- The research includes studio and library-based enquiry, seminars, workshops to assist you in understanding and analysing the social, historic and political contexts surrounding the given area of research. This allows you to develop research through practice towards a production arising from; devising, original scripting or a published text.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate critical engagement with the principles of the chosen field of enquiry through independent and group research with specific tasks
- 2. Demonstrate embodied engagement with the principles of the chosen field of enquiry through independent and group practice
- 3. Develop a basic knowledge of, and skills in, theatrical stagecraft
- 4. Demonstrate an ability to understand, analyse and embody a specific theoretical praxis and translate that knowledge into performance
- 5. Work as an ensemble member, initiate and sustain creative, analytic and interpretative work within strict time limits
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Develop the ability to relate to others in theatrical processes and performances; to work effectively with others in small task-orientated groups and to initiate and sustain straightforward creative, analytic and interpretative work and basic technical competence
- 7. Develop basic library and IT skills
- 8. Develop confidence in the ability to contribute research to small groups in effective presentations and to evaluate visual evidence
- 9. Engage critically and analytically with physical discipline and develop a basic understanding of physicalisation in performance
- 10. Explore theoretical concerns through practice and vice versa. Synthesise these findings in simple practical and written tasks
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 11. Develop basic personal research skills; to identify and evaluate at a basic level personal learning strategies
- 12. Develop group cooperation skills. Including the ability to give and receive constructive critical feedback and to develop confidence in communication skills and simple analytic abilities in discussions
- 13. Develop confidence in basic performance skills and public presentation, both of dramatic practice and researched material
- 14. Express and communicate straightforward creative ideas and images; develop the ability to initiate and sustain creative work, both group and solo
- 15. Collaborate in various groups and group sizes, develop confidence in aspects of teamwork and presentation
- 16. Develop the ability to balance between self-direction and collaborative work
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will include:
- Studio sessions and research tasks coupled with seminars on appropriate material
- Rehearsals for public presentation
- Following the public performance you will undertake small group reflective and analytical presentations on your peer’s performances.
- The module culminates with individual written analyses of your own process and research, as well as an academic essay exploring research related to the area studied
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 99 | 201 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Guided independent study | 201 | Independent study |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 99 | Practical skills-based sessions exploring a specific area of theatre practice in depth; seminars, tutorials, film and video screenings; small group work; academic presentation; peer-led teaching and practical experimentation; preparing material for performance, including devising, directing and aspects of technical theatre craft as appropriate |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 0 | 65 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous seminar assessment | 30 | Continuous | 1-16 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Essay portfolio | 35 | 1000 word reflection and 2000 word essay | 7,10,11,14 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Performance | 35 | 40 minutes | 2-5, 9, 13, 15, 16 | Referral/Deferral period |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous assessment | Continuous assessment | all | Referral/Deferral period |
| Essay portfolio | Essay portfolio | 7,10,11,14 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Performance | Piece of written work | 2-5, 9, 13, 15-16 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Last revision date | 06/11/2018 |
