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Theatre Dissertation

Module description

The concept of theatre dissertation lies at the heart of the pedagogical principles espoused by the Drama Department at the University of Exeter. We observe the necessity for placing theory and practice in dynamic dialogue. This independent research module invites you to critically explore an area of theatre or performance practice and produce a detailed scholarly essay on your chosen subject within the field of theatre and performance studies. You will be guided through a series of group research activities before delineating your own research topic. You will then work one-to-one with your tutor to develop an 8000 word research essay. Writing a sustained investigative scholarly essay will further your dynamic understanding of the interrelationship between theory and practice, between thinking and doing.

Incoming international students welcome, subject to taking all 120 credits in Drama at level 3.  In addition to drama, theatre, and performance students, this module will engage the interest of students from English literature, history, philosophy, and politics.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to allow you to:

• Critically reflect on a research topic of your own design
• Delineate an area of independent research in consultation with your tutor and peers
• Complete an in-depth piece of intellectual research in any area of theatre and performance
• Engage in a scholarly investigation of theatrical practice

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Engage with a focussed topic over a sustained period, developing writing skills and methodological approaches to theatre and performance analysis
• 2. Develop advanced analytical skills and the confidence to approach complex and challenging materials

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Engage critically and analytically from different theoretical perspectives to explore performance practice through theoretical concerns, and to synthesise findings in written tasks.
• 4. Apply a wide range of library and IT skills in detailed independent research
• 5. To work independently and within seminar groups to refine research skills, and to assess and apply feedback to develop the ability to write and think about performance in complex ways

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Develop advanced personal research skills using personal initiative; to set personal objectives that are linked to a sense of challenge and extending boundaries and to identify and evaluate personal learning strategies that are self-critical as much as self-reflective
• 7. Develop group cooperation skills, including the ability to give and receive constructive critical feedback, and to improve communication skills and advanced analytic abilities in discussions
• 8. Plan and execute a complex written project in a limited timeframe

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Introduction to advanced level research and development of writing skills to a high level
• You will be guided through a range of research and writing tasks in smaller groups and independently with your tutor
• Preparatory lectures to support you starting early in developing your projects
• Detailed individual presentations, peer feedback, and one-to-one tutorials
• You will have completed a plan and a short piece of draft material before the Term 2 vacation and received tailored feedback from your tutor on this work
• You will submit your 8000 word projects following the Term 2 break
• You can expect a wide range of teaching and detailed feedback throughout the module. The emphasis is, however, on independent learning and research

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

In conjunction with the tutor you will devise a personal reading and research programme.

Key words search

Drama, praxis, theatre, performance, research, independent