English Language Foundation

This unit focuses on your ability to understand and use the English language accurately when you read, speak, listen and write. We will concentrate on the English you need for undergraduate level study in your chosen subject area, covering grammar, subject area vocabulary and the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

A key element of the unit is the grammar of the language, and particularly the verb tense system in English, because your ability to use the verb tense system accurately will be extremely important when you come to write essays and reports. This unit will focus in particular on the grammar of the language.

We will also focus on reading, listening and speaking skills in the context of your chosen subject area. Beginning with short texts, we will practise each skill and practise it again, so that gradually you will see, hear and feel that your command of the language is improving. 

A recurring focus of the unit will be your acquisition of 'learner autonomy'. This means your ability to acquire the language yourself, without needing a teacher's help. This is important because from next year you will not have an English teacher to help you. So we will consider and practise strategies to help you gain confidence in your own ability to increase your knowledge of and ability to use the language, including for instance guessing meaning of difficult words, deciding which words are important in a text, recognising differences between formal and informal language, and other strategies, so that as the first semester continues, you begin to feel more confident in your use and experience with the English Language.

Academic Skills Foundation

When you begin your undergraduate level studies, you will be expected to have knowledge of and ability to use a large range of 'study skills'. You will also be expected to have some knowledge of the subject area you will  be studying. This unit deals with both of these aspects of your preparation for undergraduate level study. 

All of the academic skills are practised in English, so you will use your developing acquisition of the language from the partner unit 'English Language Foundation' to practise and gain mastery of these skills. You will also use your language and study skills as you learn the foundation of your subject area, putting the skills into practice as you learn.

Developing English Language Skills

This unit builds on the progress you made during its partner semester 1 unit 'English Language Foundation' and increasing your level from that which you had achieved by the end of semester 1. 

We will recycle the tense system in English and other elements of the grammar system, but you will  now learn how to use other aspects of the grammar, including the passive voice, as well as linking words and phrases and devices which enable you to write longer sentences but retain grammatical accuracy. 

You will notice that we gradually introduce more specialist language that you need in preparation for your degree and we will expect you to use and develop the skills that you gained in the previous units so that you are able to work more independently.

Academic Skills Development

This unit builds on the skills learnt and practised in its partner semester 1 unit 'Foundation Academic Skills'. We will add more skills to the list, including summarizing and synthesising, argumentation, critical thinking and referencing and citation skills, as well as several others and practise and test them in the same way as with the semester 1 unit.

We will also investigate the research skill and you will learn how to prepare a research proposal and conduct a literature review, and how to plan a research project, learning about the research tools available and how they can be used to conduct research in your chosen field. 

You will continue to broaden your knowledge of key current issues and theory in your chosen subject area, and apply the critical thinking and argumentation skills you acquire in this unit to argue for and against propositions you have studied in the form of in both essays and presentations and in seminar situations, ensuring that you are ready to step up to your chosen undergraduate course with a base level of subject area knowledge from which to continue your academic development as you progress to level 4 study.

Devising For Performance

This unit will introduce you to practices and processes of performing and devising. In particular the process that informs the making of a performance, whether in the form of a monologue or a more complex group ensemble production. You will develop through the study of a range of performance and acting techniques principles of making performance through a series of weekly workshops. Both the on-going training of the body and voice and the practical investigation of performance-making will introduce you to an understanding of the interactions between the Performer, the Director and the viewer.

Such understanding, together with the acquired practical skills will be tested through a range of improvised and text-based works, in the form of individual solo performances and collaborative projects. Across the year you will explore a range of contemporary training techniques and devising strategies that will enable you to engage creatively and proactively with the fundamentals of performing and performance making.

Working In The Performance Sector

The aim of this unit is to give you the opportunity to explore different tools and approaches used to produce performance project work. You will be introduced to a range of project management and production processes through a series of practical seminars and workshops, and given the opportunity to plan your own small scale performance project.

The unit will prepare you with fundamental skills in producing work that you will draw upon throughout your degree, such as safe working practices and professional standards of practice. You will develop skills, knowledge, and approaches to working, that enable you to bring to life your own performance projects in a safe, professional and high quality context.

Understanding Performance

What does it mean to study performance? This interdisciplinary unit responds to trends in performance scholarship to enable you to explore the histories of performance practices.  In the unit you will be challenged with the fundamental questions concerning the status, value, and interpretation of  performances from antiquity up to the present day. You will be encouraged to identify, compare and evaluate key theoretical concepts in relation to  different genres of performances and their  (historical) traditions. The unit helps to develop study skills including critical thinking skills appropriate to HE study as well as the ability to communicate effectively in writing. Good practice in research, academic procedures for referencing, citation and presentation will also be addressed.

Analysing Performance

What does it mean to analyse performance? This interdisciplinary unit explores how to analyse  ‘style’, ‘representation’ and ‘meaning’ with  reference to current 'Postmodern' performance. In the unit you will be introduced to a wide range of research and analytical skills which will benefit your academic work across the curriculum. You will be encouraged to select, analyse and evaluate research materials in order to begin to make informed critical judgements. The unit helps to develop critical skills appropriate to HE study and to give you opportunities to hone your skills in articulation of your ideas in writing. By the end of the unit you should feel confident that you can begin to work independently on academic tasks, and engage with a range of ideas and practitioners, using source material and analytical subject methodologies.

Understanding The Performance Sector

The aim of this unit is to introduce you to work and careers within the performance art sector. The unit encompasses a range of dance, performing arts, acting and theatre work to enable you to begin considering the breadth of employment within the performance arts industries. You will examine key organisations, funding structures and operational processes, and consider how they inform current conditions of work.
The unit will expose you to the range of roles available in the sector, researching and examining case study examples of different dance, performing arts, theatre and acting projects. This will help you to understand the skills and knowledge you will need to establish an eclectic career in the performance art industry, managing your own projects independently and in collaboration with others.
The unit will prepare you broadly for studying the performance sector, contextualising the nature of the sector and those working within it.

Dance Technique And Choreography

This is an introductory, practice-based unit which focuses on combining two fundamental aspects of practical dance, technical dance training and composition, within a contemporary performing arts context.

Within the unit you will experience a range of contemporary dance styles relevant to current practice. The unit aims to equip you with an understanding of the underlying principles and inherent features of various movement techniques and styles, encouraging an informed and intelligent approach to skill development.
Key principles of dance science will underpin your understanding of your dancing body, your training and your progression as a dancer.

The technical skills acquired inform and enable exploration of the body as a site for choreography. The unit aims to facilitate choreographic opportunities including directorial and facilitation roles. You will develop core skills through the exploration of artist, genre or style specific movement and compositional methodologies to adapt and apply within your own compositional work.

Creating Contemporary Performance

This unit will foster your development as a member of a collaborative theatre ensemble. During this unit you will work collaboratively as a theatre ensemble under the guidance of a tutor towards the creation of a devised theatre performance, which will be presented to a public audience. You will work as a company member within the framework of a professional rehearsal process, developing your skills in using text, movement, voice and visuals to create and shape performance material.

Throughout the project you will develop an understanding of the ways in which process informs theatrical product within conditions which reflect the profession for which you are training. You will be asked to apply your acting and research skills to a range of devising tasks throughout the process. You will develop performance skills, learn devising techniques and gain an understanding of the creative process, from initial stimuli and research to drafting material through workshops and then rehearsal to production.

The initial workshop stage will be followed by an intensive rehearsal period, in which material is developed, shaped and structured into an ensemble performance.

Musical Theatre

In today’s theatre industry, the way in which technical accomplishments serve an expressive purpose realised in the context of a multidisciplinary art form such as musical theatre is of paramount significance. In this unit, you will thus engage in performance of an established repertoire and be offered the possibility of developing newly devised readings of the same work in a way that helps you discover your own creative presence and voice on stage. As such, you will respond to the creative challenge of performing, creating and staging musical theatre, to ensure that your growing technical competence fulfills the creative potential in both new and established repertoire.

Questioning Performance

What does it mean to engage in research in/through practice? This interdisciplinary unit responds to current trends in performance research and academia relating to performance analysis and practice based/led research methods. This unit will facilitate your exploration of the idea of the body as a site for the construction of meaning in analysis and tool for practice based/led research. Questioning Performance will allow you to engage with a range of debates concerning current issues in performance within the contexts of cultural, historical and social theory. You will engage with a number of theories that have informed and are still current to the notions of making and thinking in performance. These theoretical developments will also be explored from the practitioner’s and ethnographer’s perspective, allowing you to develop key research skills through practice.
This unit is fundamental to the development and progression of higher level research skills and critical analysis. These skills are applicable to debating and discussing performance and performance making and are key to the rest of your developing performance practice.

Teaching And Community Practice

What are the values and key practices of the community arts and performing arts education sectors in the UK today?
What is the social, cultural and artistic impact of arts education and community practices?
This unit explores these questions and introduces you to the skills, knowledge and understanding required to contribute to the community arts and arts education industries.
The unit explores a range of approaches to dance, theatre and performing arts pedagogy and established community arts practices within these fields. You will consider and explore the role of the community arts practitioner and your own approach and ethos to teaching in different contexts.
The unit is delivered through weekly lectures, seminars and workshops.
Initially the unit explores pedagogic strategies and approaches, key educational theory and philosophies with an emphasis on teaching and learning approaches as appropriate to the arts. You will be introduced to strategies for the planning, design and delivery of either dance, performing arts or theatre workshops and the skills required to achieve this, such as teaching styles, verbal and physical communication, planning and behaviour management.
The latter part of the unit focuses on community arts practices within dance, theatre and performing arts. Within the workshops, lectures and seminars you will explore existing practices and practitioners, investigating ways of making performance work and arts opportunities with and for specific community groups. You will be required to engage in political and ethical discourse in relation to the community arts sector. With an emphasis on inclusion and respecting the voices of a specific community as fundamental principles of community dance/ theatre/ performing arts. You will learn how to become a facilitator enabling you to empower participants and draw on community specific themes.

Dance Technique And Performance Making

This unit explores the interplay and connectedness between dance technique and the development of the dance body and choreographic practices. The unit explores how the trained and technical dance body is used as a site for choreographic exploration and investigation.
The technique strand of the unit builds on previous level 4 studies of dance technique, anatomy, physiology and safe practice. At this level 5 study you will be introduced to more advanced technical set exercises and will practice this alongside principles of dance psychology.
You will be introduced to theories and practices of dance psychology that aim to develop a synergy of technical embodied knowledge and application to your dancing body, mind and performance delivery. This will include practical workshops on motivation, self-confidence, performance anxiety, mental performance skills and body image.
Emphasis will be on the development of you as a performer where you will have the opportunity to explore and reflect on tutor led movement material, engaging with technical execution, specific movement qualities and dynamics of different dance styles.

The choreographic and compositional strand of the unit allows an investigation into a broad range of choreographic approaches will be encouraged, through practical workshops and opportunities to view work by a diverse range of professional choreographers. You will consider a range of creative approaches to choreographic methods and working processes. These will reflect the creative potential of both representational and non-representational approaches to choreographic practice.
An investigation into a broad range of choreographic approaches will be encouraged. You will engage practically with a selection of these ideas in the development of your own choreographic voice and practice. You will engage in and develop your skills in improvisational methodologies. This will support you in finding innovative movement vocabularies that are specific to your choreographic voice and ideas.
You will be introduced to a number of choreographic and performance styles, including interdisciplinary performance settings, including working with text, film, installation, linear, non-linear narratives.

Dance Technique And Improvisation

This is a practice-based unit, which will build upon your skills and knowledge in dance technique, improvisation and performance. The unit focuses on developing your understanding of the relationship between the dancing body, improvisation and instant composition in contemporary dance performance. The unit responds to the increased emphasis on improvisation as a tool for making performance in the professional dance sector. The unit aims to enable you to advance your knowledge and understanding of your own performance voice, and to develop your artistry as a dance performer with a strong technical foundation. This requires you to develop a broader knowledge and more in depth understanding regarding technique, improvisation and performance practices, and an ability to work intelligently as a solo and collaborative artist in a range of creative performance contexts.
You will be encouraged to consider the range of approaches to dance performance from technical, artistic and creative perspectives. Part of your investigation into the development of your own performing voice is how this shifts in differing performance settings and how hybrid forms can develop, how you can apply your knowledge of the dancing mind and dancing body to the performance situation. Developing a reflective practice to enhance and evaluate your performance process is also fundamental to the unit.

Digital Performance

Increasingly, live performance integrates and experiments with, elements of digital technology for making as well as archiving and publicising work. In response to the changing needs of the industry, this unit will introduce you to the methods by which performance has been negotiated within the context of virtual, digital and interactive performance environments in order to allow you to interrogate practically some of the underlying principles of performance for the camera as guided by film, theatre, dance and visual art traditions.

In particular it will focus on the range of ways in which performance can be mediated through new technology and digital processes in the context of screen based works. You will develop your skills and practical understanding of creating live interactive events and performances through the opportunity to contribute, creatively and practically, to a physical theatre performance event incorporating new media work. You will develop practical skills and experience in the use of digital video technology, including working with video cameras, non-linear video editing and the creation of screen based performance works.

What are the practical and theoretical issues that surround the relationship between technology and performance? This unit will allow you to focus on the range of ways currently explored in which performance can be mediated through new technology and digital processes in the context of live performances and installations.

Acting In Context

This unit responds to current trends in theatre practice, study and research, in academia and the creative industries. Starting with current cultural, historical and socio-political debates in theatre and performance scholarship this unit will build on the production and performance work undertaken in Level 4. It will facilitate your exploration of the sociocultural, political and historical contexts of playmaking and production and cover topics and themes from a broad range of traditional and new styles of performance to discourse-specific works from Epic and non-western performances to Postcolonial, Intercultural, Diaspora, Transcultural, and Post-dramatic forms. The unit will be explored theoretically and practically and will extend to how selected practitioners have sought to challenge the structures and/or narratives of theatre form(s)/genres within which they work.

Students will further develop their skills and knowledge of acting, production and production processes by participating in a group production of a scripted, adapted or devised text under the supervision/direction of a tutor. You will each take on a performance and/or a production role and will be involved in a series of tutor-led workshops which will help you to understand and articulate the social, historical and cultural conditions in which a play was written, and how these inform our understanding of the text. You will be assigned individual research tasks in order to deepen your understanding of the cultural and socio-political contexts of materials covered in the unit.

This unit is fundamental to the development and progression to higher level research skills and critical analysis. The skills developed on the unit will be applied to debating and discussing research in the wider field of acting and theatre making and are key to your development in theatre practice.

University Dance Company

This is a practice based performance unit that enables you to explore your skills as a performer at an advanced level. The unit requires you to question and explore what the professional roles, skill requirements and expectations of a performer in the creation and performance of new repertoire are? This unit responds to current developments in the dance sector drawing on up to date choreographic research methods and choreographic trends through working with academic staff with choreography as a specialism and/ or emerging choreographers from industry to make the new repertoire. You will participate as performers and creative collaborators and be reflective and responsive in your practice.

Innovations: Physical Theatre

Within this unit at Level 6 you will consider previous and current Contemporary performance practice. Through practical workshops and group devising the unit will allow you to consider a range of skills and approaches to current Postmodern and contemporary performance practice.
You will examine a range of contemporary approaches to  performance. In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the unit, this will involve the study of performance beyond the usual confines of theatre and dance - for example, stand-up comedy, storytelling, stage magic, street performance and physical theatre. The emphasis will be on exploring how these disparate approaches to performance can and have been employed in the creation of theatrical work. You will combine one or more of these approaches in the  creation and performance of a directed ensemble physical theatre piece. There will be emphasis on the role and function of you as a performer in researching and developing ideas and material during the creative process. You will develop strategies for improvisation, responding to tasks, taking direction and reflecting on the development of the piece.

Professional Practice In Performing Arts

This unit is designed to help equip you with essential and transferable skills for your future career. It focuses on developing knowledge and practical skills in order to embrace a portfolio career from an informed perspective. You will develop entrepreneurial thinking, digital and research skills, and gain an understanding of the application of performance work within the wider context of the creative industries.

These concepts will be examined through examples of practitioners who have been successfully enterprising. Through critical discussion you will gain an understanding of the importance of adaptability and innovation, encouraging you to find gaps in the market for your own ideas or skills. Lectures, workshops and seminars will focus upon the skills required to be a self-managed performance artist or to manage a project within the context of a small company.

Staging New Writing

This unit gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in new writing for the stage as directors and performers. You will study a range of the most significant writers producing work from 1990-present, and develop skills in textual analysis, design for the stage, and acting in order to understand how to form a directorial vision for these types of works. Ultimately you will form theatre companies and choose a primary discipline (actor, director) you wish to practice in the production of a piece of new writing for theatre; either published, original or devised. The unit will consider social, political, cultural and historical contexts for contemporary plays and practices. Plays will be explored in terms of performance demands and the skills and knowledge necessary to realise those demands through original interpretation.

Dissertation

This final capstone research project equips you with the skills to self-manage a project of your choice, engaging in advanced undergraduate research. This dissertation enables you to draw on and holistically apply the breadth of knowledge and skills developed over the duration of the course. The unit aims to encourage autonomy and requires you to manage your own research project with some supervision. As students of the Arts it is important to engage in current research and contemporary models of practice, which this unit provides. This informs and develops your skills in anticipation of graduate employment and further study.

Practice As Research

This final capstone research project equips you with the skills to self-manage a practice-based/led project of your choice, engaging in advanced undergraduate research. This practice-as-research project enables you to draw on and holistically apply the breadth of knowledge and skills developed over the duration of the course. The unit aims to encourage autonomy and requires you to manage your own research project with some supervision. As students of the Arts it is important to engage in current research and contemporary models of practice, which this unit provides. This informs and develops your skills in anticipation of graduate employment and further study

Professional Practice Year (For Media And Performance Degrees)

The aim of this unit is to provide the opportunity to undertake career-related experience which will allow you to understand and undertake responsibilities in the work place at an appropriate level and use the opportunity to assess your readiness to undertake a career in your chosen field