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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title The Drama Continuum: From Make Believe Play
Module Code AP206
School 73
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Sharon McArdle
Semester 2: Sharon McArdle
Autumn: Sharon McArdle
Module TeacherNo Teacher Assigned
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
None
Description

The aim of this module is to prepare students to effectively participate in the Drama continuum - from process Drama to Performance Drama and investigate the relationship between both forms. The course will give students the skills to be able to facilitate meaningful, creative and socially conscious drama programs within primary school settings. The central activity of the semester will involve participants in devising a collaborative theatre piece aimed for a primary school audience, which addresses social justice issues of interest to the group. The aim of the module is to empower students to develop agency, to promote global citizenship, inclusive and human rights education. It aims to foster a creative mindset among students, and encourage reflective practice in supporting the process of portfolio-based learning. Students will develop artistic and collaborative partnerships with a number of professional external agencies such as; Ombudsman for Children's office, Fighting Words, World Vision, Theatre Company, Arts advocates as well as a relationship with a local Primary School as learning community. The use of creative pedagogies and digital technologies to support teaching and learning will be a guiding principle of this module. The module will include some direct teaching but will mainly use a structured workshop approach with an emphasis on experiential learning.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and apply appropriate pedagogical approaches and key principles involved in devising theatre with due regard to inclusive education and global citizenship education.
2. Reflect on the external partnerships involved in the collaborative process of devising social justice theatre
3. Demonstrate relevant creative skills and pedagogies in workshop facilitation and ensemble playing when devising theatre.
4. Present a collaborative devised theatre piece aimed at primary school audience which explores a social justice issue
5. Record and evaluate the Devising Process through the lens of social consciousness
6. Demonstrate application of the concept of the student as an active learner, creative thinker, innovator, self-reflective, life-long learner in relation to the continuum of drama education.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Workshop14Practice and reflection
Lecture4lecture
Class Presentation4Small group Presentation Devised theatre performance
Independent Study42reading and viewing multimedia resources before and after lectures/workshops
Group work25Preparation for small group presentation and devised theatre performance
Directed learning35Engagement with specific materials including online resources to support learning
Total Workload: 124

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Drama Continuum - From Process Drama to Performance
The contribution of Drama educationalists and practitioners will be visited with specific focus on Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed. Key concepts and Principles of Drama and devised theatre will be employed for their pedagogical processes of making theatre and their impact in creating empowering learning mediums that promote creativity, inclusivity, well-being, interculturalism, identity, agency, global citizenship and social consciousness. Practical devising workshop skills will include:drama facilitation, ensemble work, devising, drama outreach facilitation.

Partnerships, Professional Relationships, Identity.
Partnerships and professional relationships will be established with external agencies, governmental and non-governmental organisations, theatre companies and primary schools allowing partners to work and learn collaboratively in teacher education. They will include a number of the following: Ombudsmans for Children's Office, World Vision, Fighting Words and Theatre companies dedicated to making socially conscious programs. Students will be supported and guided to become self-reflective practitioners and agents for social change through ongoing journal work and drama activities.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentA critical reflection on the nature of devised theatre for a young audience as a means of exploring a social justice issue.80%n/a
Group presentationSmall group Presentation based on social justice issues and contribution of theatre movements as a means of promoting agency and social change.10%n/a
ParticipationStudent participation in workshops and final presentation10%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Bicat, Tina and Baldwin, Chris: 2002, Devised and Collaborative Theatre, Crowood Press,
  • Boal, Augusto: 1992, Games for actors and non-actors, Routledge, London,
  • Johnstone, Keith: 0, Improv, Metheun,
  • Oddey, Alison: 0, Devising theatre: A practical handbook and theoretical handbook, Routledge,
  • Poulter, Christine: 1987, Playing the Game, Palgrave,
  • Taylor, P.: 2003, Applied Theatre: creating transformative encounters in the community., N.H. Heinemann,
Other Resources

0, Website, OCO, 0, Ombudsman for Children's Office, http://www.oco.ie, 0, website, WV, 0, World Vision, http://www.worldvision.ie, 0, website, FW, 0, Fighting Words, http://www.fightingwords.ie, 0, website, AiE, 0, Arts in Education, http://www.artsineducation.ie, 0, website, The Ark, 0, Cultural Centre for Children, http://ark.ie,
Programme or List of Programmes
BEDBachelor of Education
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