| Unit name | Independent Study: Performance Project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THTR30015 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Wozniak |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of Theatre |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
The unit will provide a structured and supervised opportunity for final-year students to research, develop and complete a collaborative student-directed performance project. Students will work together in small companies to pitch, develop and perform a short piece of theatre (scripted, devised or other). Student companies will pitch their plans at the end of TB1 and negotiate and agree the performance’s scope and mode with a supervisor early in TB2. The final performance will be shown as part of Gradfest, the student-produced showcase of graduating students’ work. A viva will provide an opportunity for individual students to reflect critically on the process and to contextualise their work. The unit prepares students for postgraduate study or professional practice in the creative, heritage, or related industries.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study:
This unit follows on from and develops the performance skills students are introduced to in year 2 and TB1 of year 3. It allows you to apply the skills acquired over the course of the degree to a performance project of your own making and prepares you for postgraduate and/or professional work.
Overview
Students will work with Independent Study students on all pathways throughout TB1 to develop professionalisation, research, pitching and project management skills. The first TB ends with the development of small companies and a pitching session in which each “company” presents their performance idea and rationale. An appropriate supervisor will be assigned based on the pitch. Each company works with their supervisor to revise and develop the pitch, draw up and follow a rehearsal schedule, and develop and deliver a fully-realised public performance staged as part of GradFest.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will develop performance skills appropriate to their specific project and role within the company, including but not limited to: acting; choreography; directing; dramaturgy and/or playwriting; design; scenography; stage management; marketing and programming.
Students will develop the skills and confidence needed to embark on postgraduate and/or professional practical research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered using a blend of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, group tutorials, production meetings and rehearsal observation. In TB1, lecture, seminar and on-line discussion sessions will largely be focussed on professionalisation and research methodologies and on formulating initial research proposals and groups, culminating in the Project Pitch. In TB2, initial meetings between project teams and supervisors will establish the parameters of the project’s scope and impact. Once these parameters have been established, supervisor will meet regularly with the project team to observe and support progress.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
1,250 word (group) Project Pitch detailing the performance plans and rationale (ILO 1)
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Performance (80%) [ILOs 1, 2, 3]
Individual viva, 15-minute (20%) [ILOs 3, 4]
When assessment does not go to plan:
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THTR30015).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
