RA1D17 - Thinking Through Practice 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2025 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: RA1D17
Module Title: Thinking Through Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Drama
Module Leader: Sera Williams
Module Team: Matthew Gough
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100069 - drama
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2025

Module Aims

To introduce students to some of the main ways 'performance', in a broad sense, might be discussed and analysed.

To establish a common vocabulary for analysing a range of live, mediated and written texts

To encourage students to pay attention to the different elements that comprise live and mediated performances; for example, mise-en-scene and scenography, light and sound, the actor, written and spoken text.

To help students to see the ways in which creative practice is underpinned by critical and conceptual analysis.

To introduce students to conventions of critical writing and to research skills appropriate for the undergraduate.

Content Summary

The module introduces students to the idea of exploring, investigating and doing theory, through a range of practices. Students will explore a range of perspectives on 'performance'. The module will open up questions of analysis in relation to live and recorded performance, and students will explore the way that components of performance including mise-en-scene and scenography, space, sound, light and audience interact to create meaning. Students will learn core introductory principles of theory, writing, reflective practice, collaboration and performance in the context of their own work and those of selected case studies. Students will work with selected practices and practitioners in order to interrogate and explore ideas, theoretical concepts and performance traditions, primarily through practical means. Assessments are designed to introduce the academic writing, practical, research and study skills appropriate to the undergraduate performance and media student.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Tutorial 2
Practical classes and workshops 48
Independent Study 144
Directed Study 160
Active/Simulation Based 32
Groupwork 14
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Relate theory to performance and media practice
LO2 Investigate a diversity of perspectives on performance
LO3 Discuss a range of performance genres, forms and practitioners

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Portfolio Portfolio 2 You will work with a creative practitioner to explore their practice and present a ‘work in progress’ performance sharing. You will independently keep a reflective blog of your research, and practical process notes. The blog should be appropriately referenced. 0 N/A 40 No 40
Portfolio Portfolio 1 You will work with a creative practitioner to explore their practice and present a ‘work in progress’ performance sharing. You will independently keep a reflective blog of your research, and practical process notes. The blog should be appropriately referenced. 0 N/A 40 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 1 You will work with a creative practitioner to develop a Manifesto for learning and creating’ 0 1000 20 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Portfolio 2
Portfolio 1
Essay (CW) 1

Reading List

Goulish,M 2000 39 MICROLECTURES in Proximity of Performance. Routledge. London

Halberstam, J 1998 Female Masculinity. Duke University Press. Durham.

Halberstam, J

Schechner, R. (2012) Performance Studies: An Introduction. 3rd Edn. London: Routledge

Barry, P. (2009) Beginning Theory. 3rd edn. Manchester: Manchester University Press

Counsell & Wolf. (2001) Performance Analysis: An Introductory Coursebook. London: Routledge