Theatre and Drama in Educational contexts (MGL0080)

The course in Theatre and Drama in Educational Context at the University of Stavanger provides a broad introduction to forms of theatrical and drama-related expression and communication. The study prepares students for work within the performing arts field, drama pedagogy in educational contexts and institutions, as well as applied theatre in a range of social and cultural contexts.

Students gain insight into national and international theatre and drama traditions and explore the role these traditions play in culture, education and society.

Through practical and theoretical approaches, students examine how theatre and drama create and communicate meaning, and how these art forms are continuously renewed and challenged in response to social development.

Intercultural and democratic perspectives are central to the programme. Students are given opportunities to develop their own artistic language through collective creative processes and to make informed, reflective choices when engaging with both artistic and pedagogical challenges.

The course is open to both domestic students and incoming exchange students, and teaching is conducted in Norwegian and English. Teaching and practical training take place in close collaboration with arts, cultural and educational institutions, with contributions from both national and international practitioners. Students also have the opportunity to take part in study trips to international theatre festivals and to undertake professional placements with children’s and youth theatres, as well as with cultural and educational institutions.

The examination is practical and oral.

A police certificate of conduct is required for participation.

Content

The course is divided into two equally weighted thematic areas:

1. Acting and theatre production

The course is grounded in classical and epic theatre traditions and emphasises the actor’s creative work within collective processes. Through improvisation, play, text development and ensemble work, students gain experience with a range of methods, techniques and artistic approaches in theatre.

Theatre production is used as a learning model, with a focus on acting, directing, dramaturgy, concept development and stagecraft. Students develop a practical understanding of the different roles within a production process and gain experience in planning, creating and realising their own projects, which are presented to an external audience. This work is carried out in collaboration with various practitioners from the arts and cultural sector.

The work combines practical experimentation with theoretical reflection, with particular emphasis on the relationship between form, content and communication with the audience.

2. Drama pedagogy and applied theatre

The course provides an introduction to drama pedagogical methods and arts pedagogical principles, with a focus on drama as a performative approach to teaching and learning. Students explore how drama, as a democratic and inclusive practice, can be applied in different educational contexts and how it stimulates holistic learning, engagement, creative joy and agency in pupils.

Applied theatre is emphasised as a method for exploring socially relevant issues, strengthening democratic competence, and promoting social development. Students gain experience in using drama and applied theatre both in educational settings and in broader social contexts.

All teaching, project work and placements are carried out in close collaboration with partners from the arts and cultural sector, schools and community institutions.

Knowledge:

A candidate who has successfully completed the course will have knowledge of:

• have knowledge of creative acting work, methods, techniques and working practices from classical and epic theatre
• Have knowledge about directing and dramaturgical approches to theatre
• have knowledge of different forms of theatre, aesthetic devices, and key theories in the field of theatre studies
• have knowledge of the various elements and roles within the theatre production process
• have knowledge of drama pedagogical and applied theatre traditions, both nationally and internationally
• have an understanding of drama pedagogy as a performative approach to teaching and learning in school subjects and cross-curricular themes
• have an understanding of how drama and applied theatre are used in different educational contexts to promote democratic values, intercultural understanding, and inclusion
• have knowledge of artistic communication, collaboration, and innovation
• have an understanding of digital and technological tools used in creative processes in theatre and drama

Skills:

A candidate who has completed and passed the course will be able to:

• apply basic skills in acting technique, directing, and dramaturgy from classical and epic theatre.
• plan, develop and stage own theatre productions for an external audience
• describe, interpret and evaluate artistic processes, and provide constructive feedback
• apply drama-pedagogical methods in subject teaching and cross-disciplinary project work in schools
• use applied theatre to explore socially relevant issues and promote social development, democracy and citizenship
• Critically reflect on ethical dilemmas in applied theatre.
• Use digital tools in theatre and drama work.

General competence

A candidate who has completed and passed the course:

• plan, deliver and lead theatre projects in national and international contexts
• develop own artistic expressions from classical and epic theatre traditions in response to current social challenges
• initiate, develop and lead drama pedagogical work as a democratic, collective creative practice in diverse educational contexts
• use drama pedagogy as a performative approach to teaching subjects and topics that stimulate engagement, creativity and curiosity in pupils and participants
• use applied theatre as a tool for promoting democracy, citizenship and social development
• actively contribute to processes of change and development within the arts, culture and education sectors

Theatre and Drama in Educational Contexts is a practical and theoretical course where all teaching and supervision are mandatory. Students are required to have 80% attendance in the course, though extensions can be requested in connection with chronic illness, which must be documented by a doctor.

1. Theatre Production: Students will, in groups, complete a theatre project that culminates in public performances, presented a total of six times.
2. Study Trip: Students are encouraged to participate in a study trip to see at least five professional performances. These will be analysed and discussed through oral group reflections during the trip. The study trip usually takes place early in the semester and lasts 3-4 days. As an alternative to this requirement, students may attend five children’s or youth theatre performances and submit an individual performance analysis of one of the shows.
3. Experiencing Theatre Performances: Students must have seen at least five professional theatre performances for adults outside the study trip. This is organised in collaboration with Rogaland Theatre, where free tickets are provided for rehearsed performances.
4. Drama Pedagogy and Applied Theatre: Students, in groups, will plan and carry out a project in drama pedagogy and applied theatre. It is optional whether this takes place in a primary/secondary school or in a community and cultural organisation, such as a children’s and youth theatre or Stavanger Museum. The project must be implemented at least four times with supervision. After the practical work, a written report on the project must be submitted. This will be assessed as a pass/fail assignment.
5. Portfolio Assignment: Students must submit an approved individual written assignment on a self-chosen topic within either Acting - Theatre Production or Drama Pedagogy - Applied Theatre. This can be individual (2000 words, +/- 10%) or group (3000 words, +/- 10%).

All course requirements must be approved to be eligible to sit the exam. Failure to meet a requirement will result in denied access to the exam, according to the Regulations on Studies and Examinations at the University of Stavanger.

Students who receive a "not approved" for one or more course requirements on the first submission are given the opportunity to resubmit the assignment(s) in a revised form.

References and AI• All submitted assignments must be the result of the student’s own independent work. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the rules for source referencing.• Information on source referencing is available on the University Library’s website: https://www.uis.no/en/library/citations• Guidance on the use of AI tools in relation to exams can be found on the University of Stavanger’s exam pages: https://www.uis.no/en/student-pages/use-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-assignment-writing-and-exams

Competence in acting, theatre production, drama pedagogy, and applied theatre can only be developed through exploratory and creative interaction with other people.

The teaching is organised into themes/modules, and practical and theoretical work are mutually integrated. Instruction consists of various forms, including workshops, lectures, project work, seminars, colloquia, independent study, supervision, and practical work.