FT1DP: Devising Performance: Politics and Citizenship

Module code: FT1DP

Module provider: Film, Theatre and TV; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Mrs Gemma Cutler-Colcough, email: g.cutler-colcough@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE FT1ATP (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 12 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to give students experience of developing and devising work in theatre and performance in relation to political and social contexts, cultivating an understanding of the practices and critical processes that come together in the realisation of performance. It aims to reinforce the critical relationship between development of meaning and creative decision-making, giving students experience in the application of a wide range of performance forms and histories, individual research and collaborative exploration of performance practice. Furthermore, it aims to give students confidence in using specialist equipment and developing some of the basic technical skills necessary for complex performance, including developing soundscapes, working with lighting, set, costume and props. It will extend the skills of performance analysis and documentation introduced in earlier modules.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Work effectively and independently in small groups in order to accomplish short exercises in realising devised performance material practically, taking account of critical analysis, group discussion and research and technical modes of expression
2. Document, analyse and critically evaluate processes and realisation of group practical work, drawing on appropriate critical and theoretical frames of reference
3. Articulate their understanding of 'performance' and the interplay of theory and practice in the context of historical forms and contemporary socio-political issues and practices
4. Demonstrate through practical exploration and documentation a critical awareness of the processes involved in creative decision making in theatre and performance, taking account of the interaction of various areas of decision making in the construction of meaning
5. Develop the following skills and competencies: oral communication, collaboration required for effective group work; project management, professionalism and communication skills required to satisfactorily carry out responsibilities in small exercises; appropriate deployment of research using printed and electronic resources; critical analysis and coherent argument, both individually and collectively; identifying and addressing problems in the analysis, evaluation and development of theatre and performance.

Module content

The module will be begin by grounding the students in the debates and critical issues of performance as a form, drawing in contemporary and historical forms and practices that have developed in response to socio-political changes and issues. Workshops will introduce students to a range of devising techniques and performance making, allowing them to build up a practitioner ‘tool box’. A range of political and social issues will be considered and discussed, exploring how performance can respond to the world today. Political issues may include neoliberalism and class inequality, intersectional understandings of identities, refugees, migration and xenophobia, gender spectrums and LGBTQIA+ topics, ecology and climate chaos, disability rights, race and racism and other topics of concern to students. Taking creative risks and developing their understanding of what performance is and can be, will allow students to begin to develop their identity as an artist-practitioner and their skills making, devising and facilitating workshops.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Seminar discussion will develop performance analysis skills and introduce students to range of socio-political issues, while critical reading and individual research extends knowledge of contexts and models of practice. Studio experimentation and workshops explore physical performance practices, spatial and design issues and introduce students to specialist theatre equipment. Research-based presentations on the histories of political performance movements will widen their understanding of the form and the possibilities of performance. Students will undertake a series of performance exercises, responding to socio-political issues and forms of their choosing, including workshop facilitation. Under supervision, they will realise some of these exercises practically, making use of studio and theatre spaces as well as non-traditional theatre settings and sites. Each exercise will focus on critical understanding and practical skills development. The documentation of practical work enables students to reflect on the effects of their decision making and to relate their own work to wider practices and critical concepts.

Study hours

At least 14 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Presentation and in class exercises offer opportunities for formative assessment.

Reassessment

Additional costs