Drama and Theatre Communication in an Intercultural Context (MGL0083)

Drama and Theatre Communication in an intercultural context is an arts, expression and communications subject, with its academic foundation in the performing arts and pedagogy. The course's main goal is to impart knowledge and develop a proficiency in drama and theatre in education and as an arts subject. The aim of the course is to explore and create theater that includes and engages shildren and youg peopel in a multicultural context. The course will provide students with a foundation for facilitating and leading drama and theatre work in Youth theatre, schools, learning centers, arts and culture schools and other culture and recreational activities. Emphasis is placed on the role of the theatre instructor and teacher in drama and theatre work.


Course description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Course code

MGL0083

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

30

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English

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

Different subject matter, existential themes and various artistic expressions are explored through the theatre's forms of expression and means of action. Drama and theater as a form of learning are pedagogy translated into action and focus on communication and mediation. Via exploratory drama and theater work, through aesthetic learning processes, students gain knowledge about learning through perception and thinking, as well as in aesthetic forms of expression in an intercultural context.

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 theatre 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 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 apply basic knowledge of composition, visual design, the director´s craft and stagecraft in a scenic exploration
  • Be able to apply knowledge of contemporary theater in work with own productions of performing arts with a particular focus on directing, acting and dramaturgy
  • 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
  • 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 digital tools in theoretical, practical, and artistic communication

General competencies

After completing the course, students will:

  • Be able to initiate and lead creative processes in creative and learning communities, as well as having the ability to critically reflect on one's own practice
  • Be able to stimulate learning via creative joy, commitment and a desire to explore through the use of drama and theater as an aesthetic learning process
  • 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
  • Have competence to contribute with critical thinking, ethical awareness and innovation in collaboration with others
  • Be able to convey knowledge through creative aesthetic learning processes and artistic expression
  • Be able to strengthen the diverse and multicultural dimension in

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Recommended prerequisites

Work with children and youth, drama from secondary school, intercultural work, teacher education or other degrees within humanities.

Exam

Paper and practical group assignment

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Paper - individual or in groups 1/2 2 Weeks Letter grades
Practical group assignment with talk 1/2 5 Days Letter grades

Research project:Students choose whether to undertake the research project individually or in groups. In the research project students must either write an academic text with a chosen topic, or develop a performative product related to theatre subjects and/or theatre didactics, with an associated reflection text. The assignments must reflect central practical or theoretical issues related to the drama and theatre study.The assignment is to be submitted in Inspera (performative product must be documented with e.g. film upload) at the appointed time.For group projects a combined group grade is given. The research project as an academic text has a length of 3,000 words (+/- 10%) for an individual assignment and 5,000 words (+/- 10%) for a group assignment. The length of the reflection text, both as an individual and group assignment, is 1,000 words (+/- 10%). Time frame: 2 weeks.Practical group exam with discussion:The practical group exam will be a theatre production, followed by a discussion with an examiner that provides the basis for an individual assessment. This exam will take place over 5 days and the work will culminate in a theatre production that is limited in time. The preparation, the performance, and the reflection over work, which is made apparent during the discussion with the examiner, will form the basis for the individual assessment.All parts must be passed to get a final grade.

Coursework requirements

Assignments

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.
  • 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 teacher:

Gunnar Olav Osjord

Course teacher:

Berit Aarrestad

Course coordinator:

Berit Aarrestad

Study Program Director:

Ingeborg Knævelsrud

Study Adviser:

Kjersti Gjedrem

Placement coordinator:

Kitty Marie Garborg

Method of work

The course will be divided into different periods and the teaching will mainly be project-oriented. Teaching methods will alternate between spontaneous, intuitive and more analytical, problem-solving work methods individually and in groups of varying size. The teaching will have different approaches and forms such as lectures, demonstrations, discussions, project work, games and performance, independent study, instruction, and practical work in a multicultural society.

Practice

For students taking Drama and Intercultural Communication as part of their teacher training, 3 weeks supervised in-school placement will be facilitated. Other students will be provided with alternative arrangements.

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
Drama and Cultural Communication (GLU0083_1) 30

Open for

Exchange Students at Faculty of Arts and Education

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

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