The following drama programs are available to students:
A developmental program over three or four years within the specific discipline, Drama.
Single studies for students other than those taking the major sequence.
Method programs for students specialising in drama.
Facilities include theatre, educational drama, rehearsal, movement and sound recording studios; and music, electronic, wardrobe, and theatre workshops.
The student who successfully completes the program qualifies in Drama Methods. The embracing term, developmental drama, is most descriptive of the program. Briefly, it is concerned with the following major interdependent areas of interest: practical exploration of dramatic imagination, awareness, and interaction by the student, both individually and in groups; communication at verbal and non-verbal levels; dramatic interpretation of space; creation of original dramatic material; theatre practice in a range of contexts; critical and historical perspectives of drama; and drama in education.
Additional information: Inquiries should be directed to the Secretary, Department of Drama, room 211, Arts Centre.
DRAMA Al (DRA01) 5 points
This subject is conducted in the first half of the year, and comprises seven hours of practical drama workshops a week — three hours on one day of the week, and four hours on another.
This subject is normally taken in conjunction with Drama A2.
Special Requirements
Students must accept the demand for regular practical work and attendance.
Prerequisite: Nil.
Syllabus
The first year program is seen as a general and practical introduction to the range of developmental drama.
The main elements emphasised are dramatic form, improvisation, interpersonal awareness, language, and movement. These elements are to be seen wherever possible within the context of educational practice and theory.
Additional elements arise out of these basic activities according to the needs of the group and teaching staff, and could include experience in varied media — puppetry, mask, make-up, theatre technology, sound, music, film, video, design and crafts. (it is emphasised that experience in any of these areas is limited in this introductory, group-oriented program. The opportunity for studies in depth is provided in the Drama B, C and D elective programs.)
Books
There are no specific titles recommended for preliminary reading. Students will be referred to relevant texts from time to time throughout the program.
Assessment
There are no formal examinations although students will be required to complete some written work such as assignments or class papers throughout the program.
The progress of each student will be considered at the end of each subject unit, and recommendation to continue in the program will be given if all work has been completed satisfactorily.
Stress is placed upon the student's ability to conceive, plan, carry out, and evaluate any project undertaken.
DRAMA A2 (DRA02) 4 points
This subject is conducted in the second half of the year, and comprises seven hours of
practical drama workshops a week — three hours on one day of the week, and four hours on another.
This subject is normally taken in conjunction with Drama Al.
Special Requirements
Students must accept the demand for regular practical work and attendance.
Prerequisite: NiI.
Syllabus
There is a continuing emphasis on dramatic form, improvisation, interpersonal awareness, and language and movement as in Drama Al, to be seen within the context of educational practice and theory.
Books
There are no specific titles recommended for preliminary reading. Students will be referred to relevant texts from time to time throughout the program.
Assessment As for Drama Al.
DRAMA B11 (DRB11) 6 points
Drama and Education
The study comprises two 2-hour sessions a week throughout the year. These sessions may take a variety of forms, e.g. lecture, seminar, film-screening, discussion, or practical workshop with children.
Note: This subject, or Drama C11, is a prerequisite for continuation to Drama Method in fourth year.
Special Requirements
Students must accept the demand for regular practical work and attendance.
Prerequisite: Drama Al and A2, or an approved equivalent.
Syllabus
Students enrolling in this subject will be engaged in a fundamental background study.
The following areas will be covered:
Consideration of the development of drama in primary and secondary education.
A study of approaches to drama in primary and secondary education, involving observation and practical work in schools.
Consideration of the relationship between drama, play and child development.
Consideration of the use of drama as a teaching method in education as well as a subject area in its own right.
Examination of the relationship between drama and other areas of the school curriculum, e.g. physical education, music, English.
Books
There are no specific titles recommended for preliminary reading. Students will be referred to relevant texts from time to time throughout the year.
Assessment
There are no formal examinations although students will be required to complete some written work such as assignments or class papers throughout the year.
Each student pursues the subject program by entering into a written contract with the relevant staff, for which the two parties are mutually responsible. The completion of the tasks specified in the contract is to be to their mutual satisfaction.
Each of the following aspects of the student's work will be specified in the contract:
(a) quality of day to day participation in each of the group activities;
(b) reading and individual research which, together with group findings, must be documented;
(c) an individual assignment based on particular application of the work studied in the subject;
(d) contribution to the preparation and conduct of a group-based activity.
DRAMA B12 (DRB12) 6 points
Core Study: Drama and Theatre
The core study comprises the equivalent of one 2-hour session a week throughout the year. The session may take a variety of forms, e.g. lecture, seminar, discussion, or practical workshop.
Special Requirements
Students must accept the demand for regular practical work and attendance.
In addition to the Core Study: Drama and Theatre, students enrolling in Drama B12 must also select the appropriate weighting of Ideas Project elective studies from those offered during the year.
Prerequisite: Drama Al and A2, or an approved equivalent.
Syllabus
The subject aims to provide a firm theatrical ontology for any teacher of drama, provide an overview of theatre in human culture, reveal the theatre of ourselves, relate the theatre of the past to modern theatre, develop theatrical consciousness within the group, share the joy of theatre, and develop an understanding of the variety of approaches to performances, both in the past and present.
These aims form a framework for the content and structure of the subject. Specific content will depend on perf ormances available in 1979 and on the interests, needs and desires of the lecturer and students.
Students will be required to read a variety of plays, writings on theatrical theory, and accounts of contemporary and past performances; attend a number of performances and relevant films; contribute regular written submissions on performances attended;
participate actively in class discussions and workshop activities; and submit a special project, written or practical, in the area of theatre or performance.
It is strongly recommended that students enrolling in this subject participate in performance work in 1979.
Books
• Brook, P The Empty Space Harmondsworth: Penguin 1973 Croydon, M Lunatics, Lovers and Poets New York: Dell 1977 Assessment
As for Drama B11.
DRAMA B13 (DRB13) 6 points
Core Study: Drama — Sound and Language
The core study comprises the equivalent of one 2-hour session a week throughout the year. The sessions may take a variety of forms, e.g. lecture, seminar, discussion group, or practical workshop.
Credit may not be granted for this subject as well as for Drama C13.
Special Requirements
Students must accept the demand for regular practical work and attendance.
In addition to the Core Study: Drama — Sound and Language, students enrolling in Drama 813 must also select the appropriate weighting of Ideas Project elective studies from those offered during the year.
Prerequisite: Drama Al and A2, or an approved equivalent.
Syllabus
This study aims to explore, in theory and practice, the wide scope of sound and language within dramatic situations, particularly through an intensive investigation of the expressive potential of body and voice as instruments of communication. A practicum of verbal dynamics will link sounds and words with rhythms, movement, design, and music for consideration of the experiences in the context of drama in education and theories of creativity.
The subject will be conducted in three ways: small group workshop/tutorial sessions in verbal communication to meet individual student's needs, large group workshop discussion sessions exploring verbal and non-verbal communication, and individual practice independent of class hours.
Books Reference:
Burnisten, C & Bell, J Into the Life of Things London: English Speaking Board 1972 Linklater, K Freeing the Natural Voice New York: Drama Book Specialists 1976 Seely, J In Context London: OUP 1976
Wilkinson, A Language and Education London: OUP 1975 Wise, A Communication in Speech London: Longman 1965 Assessment
As for Drama B11.
DRAMA B14 (DRB14) 6 points
Core Study: Drama and Movement
The core study comprises the equivalent of one 2-hour session a week throughout the year. The sessions may take a variety of forms, e.g. lecture, seminar, discussion, or practical workshop.
Credit may not be granted for this subject as well as for Drama C14.
Special Requirements
Students must accept the demand for regular practical work and attendance.
In addition to the Core Study: Drama and Movement, students enrolling in Drama B14 must also select the appropriate weighting of Ideas Project elective studies from those offered during the year.
Prerequisite: Drama Al and A2, or an approved equivalent.
Syllabus
The subject aims to provide a developmental structure for the teaching of creative movement, develop a personal level of movement skills based on correct body alignment, and a clear anatomical understanding of human movement; develop personal improvisational and choreographic skills, share the enjoyment of exploring movement Possibilities, provide a historical overview of dance and movement, form a personal movement philosophy applicable to movement education in the school, and to develop a critical understanding of the variety of approaches to movement and movement education,
Books
Fulkerson, M Language of the Axis Totnes (Devon): Dartington 1977 Todd, M The Thinking Body New York: Dance Horizons 1972
Preston, V A Handbook of Modern Educational Dance London: MacDonald & Evans 1963
Langer, S Feeling and Form London: Routledge & Kegan Paul 1967 Assessment
As for Drama B11.