BA Music and Drama

Year of entry: 2023

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Course unit details:
Drama in Education

Course unit fact file
Unit code	DRAM21252
Credit rating	20
Unit level	Level 2
Teaching period(s)	Semester 2
Offered by	Drama
Available as a free choice unit?	No

Overview

Please note that this unit is delivered on-campus only and is therefore not available to remote learners

In this course students will explore the theory and practice of drama in education, developing hands-on skills and experience in planning and delivering drama workshops in schools. The first half of the course will introduce a range of techniques that belong to the traditions of process drama and are widely used within educational and community contexts while asking critical questions about the social function of drama (as education) and about the role of creativity within education. In the second half, students will work in small groups leading drama workshops under the supervision of the course tutors. At the end of the module, we will reflect as a whole group how this practical experience has re-shaped our understanding of the key questions introduced at the outset. Students will thereby continue to develop as critical reflective practitioners.

Pre/co-requisites

Available as Free Choice (UG) or to other programmes (PG)?

No (although students with evidence of practical experience in drama and/or education to substitute for the pre-requisites are welcome to make enquiries to the Course Director)

Pre-requisite units

Performance Practices 1 or 2

Aims

To engage with the theory and practice of drama in education
To explore drama techniques used within educational contexts
To discuss and debate the role of drama in education
To develop students’ skills in process drama and workshop facilitation
To reflect critically on how practice might challenge our understanding of process drama and its educational potential

Knowledge and understanding

Identify the key features of the main traditions of process drama
Understand key arguments for the value of drama as pedagogy
Understand key theoretical issues about the role of drama in education
Articulate process drama aesthetics

Intellectual skills

Describe and analyse drama in education practice
Evaluate and critically reflect on their own and colleagues’ practice
Articulate the relationship between their own practice and broader traditions of drama in education
Reflect critically on their own practice as workshop facilitators

Practical skills

Plan, structure and deliver process drama workshops in educational contexts
Evaluate and reflect on their own and others’ practice
Facilitate creative work by children or other non-professionals

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Work professionally within an external context e.g. a school
Work to a deadline
Work confidently with children from a range of backgrounds
Collaborate with peers
Stimulate and facilitate the creative work of others

Employability skills

Analytical skills: Emotional intelligence ¿ ability to use emotional and cognitive capacities when approaching challenges
Group/team working: Ability to work independently and as part of a team, as part of creative and critical projects that present unpredictable and challenging scenarios
Innovation/creativity: Ability to utilise engaging and dynamic forms of self-presentation
Project management: Project management ¿ planning, undertaking, managing and evaluating projects
Oral communication: Advanced communication skills ¿ verbal, written; prepared/rehearsed and improvised
Problem solving: Creative thinking ¿ creative and critical approaches to problem-solving;
Research: Understanding of professional cultures/environments ¿ professional approaches to timekeeping, peer support/review, self reflection/evaluation and dealing with sources of concern/complaint.
Written communication: Ability to present self and ideas effectively, including when dealing with complex and sensitive topics
Other: Awareness of the importance of contributing to public life and demonstrating good citizenship ¿ our curriculum is socially and politically engaged, and encourages students to develop a sense of social responsibility in their professional and personal life

Assessment methods

Group project: Planning and facilitation of a series of process drama workshops & submission of corresponding workshop session plans

60%

Essay

40%

Group Presentation

NA (formative)

Feedback methods

Verbal and written feedback on draft and final session plans	Formative and Summative
Verbal feedback on group presentation	Formative
Peer and discursive feedback on practice in group reflection sessions	Formative and Summative
Written feedback on final reflective essay	Summative
Additional one-to-one feedback (during consultation hour or by making an appointment)	Formative and Summative

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Seminars	33

Independent study hours
Independent study	167

Teaching staff

Staff member	Role
Simon Parry	Unit coordinator

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