Drama and Theatre Communication in an Intercultural Context (MGL0083)

Content

Drama is an arts, expression and communications subject, with academic grounding in the performing arts and pedagogy. The course's main goal is to impart knowledge and develop competence in drama as an arts subject and as arts education. Promoting communication through theatre in a multicultural society is central to the course. The course will provide students with a foundation for facilitating and leading drama/theatre work in schools, learning centres, cultural schools and other recreational activities. Emphasis is placed on the instructor's and teacher's role in drama/theatre work. Emancipatory pedagogy will be central to the course.

The course is structured around five themes. The five themes will both have overlapping content and build upon each other. They are weighted somewhat equally and are compulsory as the practical, the pedagogical and the theoretical will be integrated both within and across these five themes. The choice of teaching material and work methods is based upon the subject's nature and its function in schools and voluntary teaching. Digital tools will be used in drama and theatre communication. The course content has a clear practical and artistic methodical aim, and students' self-development in the subject is central.

Dramatic Forms of Expression

Experimental work and creative imagination will be emphasised and explored at this level. This involves extensive work with dramatic forms of expression. Good knowledge of theatrical methods forms the basis for the further development of the expressive use of voice and body.

Exploratory Drama Work

The exploration of games and the investigation of given topics through games. In the exploratory drama process, emphasis is placed on examining the ethical and aesthetic dimension of games and dramatic Expression.

Theatre Production

In-depth study of the different aspects of a theatre production. Experimentation with theatre forms, dramaturgical models, acting skills and dramatic methods is central.

Subject Theory

Arts education and theatre history are important pillars of this subject. The weighting between theatre arts and pedagogy has varied through the ages, and in different ways influenced the drama subject's content, development and societal importance. A solid theoretical foundation provides the basis for practical work and critical reflection.

Subjects Didactics

In close connection with teaching practice, the students' ability for didactic reflection on theatre and drama work with children and young adults is deepened and challenged. The role of teacher and instructor is developed through practical work.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, students will:

• Be able to account for central features of drama and theatre as an arts subject and as education  
• Have acquired knowledge on how drama and theatre can be applied in esthetic learning processes  
• Be able to account for central features of the aesthetic dimension in drama and theatre  
• Be able to account for central features of modern-day theatre in an international context  
• Have acquired knowledge of dramaturgy, directing, scenography and acting  
• Be able to account for relevant research methods related to the subject  
• Have acquired knowledge of drama and theatre in an intercultural context  
• Have acquired knowledge on the use of new technological means and mediums in the creative work with drama and theatre

Skills

After completing the course, students will:

• Be able to describe, interpret and evaluate artistic and creative work, and be able to apply this knowledge critically and constructively in feedback  
• Have a reflected and experience-based relationship to drama and theatre as education  
• Have developed skills to analyze the relation between art and pedagogy  
• Be able to apply their understanding of the aesthetic dimension in drama and theatre  
• Be able to apply basic knowledge of composition, visual design, the director´s craft and stagecraft in a scenic exploration  
• Be able to apply their knowledge of modern-day theatre in practical work  
• Be able to apply their intercultural competency and creative abilities to communicate through drama and theatre  
• Be able to use relevant research methods related to their research project  
• Be able to master and actively use ICT (Information and communications technology) as a tool in drama, theatre, and scholarly work  
• Be able to use digital tools in theoretical, practical, and artistic communication

General competencies

After completing the course, students will:

• Be able to lead creative processes in creative and educational communities  
• Be able to encourage creative processes and show ability for critical reflection in their placement
• Be able to encourage learning, development, curiosity, creativity among students using drama and theatre as an aesthetic learning process
• Be able to promote development competence  
• Be able to apply dialogue as a basis for social learning, and convey the value and meaning of empathy, respect, and friendship in creative work  
• Be able to communicate knowledge through aesthetic means and artistic expression  
• Be able to strengthen the diverse and multicultural dimension in their work

Required prerequisite knowledge

Recommended prerequisites

Exam

Coursework requirements

Drama is a practical and theoretical course of study and all teaching and instruction is compulsory. Illness and valid leave of absence do not exempt students from meeting the course requirements. No more than 20 % absence is allowed. The following requirements must be completed:

• The students are recommended to participate in a study trip to see minimum five professional performances for children/youth. These performances will be analyzed and evaluated through group conversations. Expenses are covered by the students. The study trip will be in the springtime and will last for 3-4 days. The alternative for this study trip will be that the students watch five performances for children/youth and write individual analyses on each performance.

• Students must have seen at least five professional theatre performances for adults, not including those on the study trip. Students will choose one performance and write an individual theatre analysis of 1000 words (+/- 10%).

• In groups, develop and perform a forum play with themes from multicultural society for a given audience.

• In groups, develop and carry out a monologue performance with drama and theatre pedagogical work in primary school, a minimum of six times. This work will be analyzed in an individual written thesis of 1500 words (+/- 10%).

• Write an individual thesis in drama and theatre theory (2500 words, +/- 10 %).

• Complete a theatre project based on a given script and perform in front of an audience. The project will be performed six times.

• Complete a placement.

Students who have one or more assignments not approved at first submission, will be given one more submission opportunity in a new and improved version.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Course teacher:

Course coordinator:

Placement coordinator:

Method of work

Practice

Open for

Course assessment

Literature