RA1S30 - Analysing Studio Production 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: RA1S30
Module Title: Analysing Studio Production
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Drama
Module Leader: Jesse Schwenk
Module Team: Matthew Gough, Sam Stringer
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

  • Develop students’ understanding of how semiotics function as a way of explaining how meaning is made in performance and film, which is an essential building block for the development of conceptual and practical skills on the degree.

  • To engage students in critical, culturally reflective discourses on contemporary theatre and film.

Content Summary

This module provides a general introduction to the theoretical and critical issues of semiotics, and is intended to be the foundation for practical work undertaken in the succeeding course modules. The module is delivered primarily through supported group discussions, students will be encouraged and supported to develop interpretive and self-reflective skills in the process of undertaking research.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Tutorial 2
Project supervision 4
Practical classes and workshops 26
External visits 4
Independent Study 108
Directed Study 56
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Investigate how meanings/intentions function in contemporary theatre and short film.
LO2 Communicate issues regarding the semiotics of performance.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 Student will submit a portfolio that includes: Two 400 word reviews of a theatre play A 1500 word essay that analyses the meanings/intentions of a contemporary short film. The essay should make use of academic references, and images from the film to contextualise semiotic interpretations. Students should also refer to their own experiences of studio production on the course. 0 2300 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Aston E. and Savona G. Theatre as a Sign System, London: Routledge,1991

Lacey, S & Pye, D. ‘Getting Started: An Approach to Relating Practical and Critical Work' in Studies in Theatre Production, No.10, December 1994.

Culler, J. On Deconstruction: Theory and Criticism after Structuralism, London: Routledge,2015