Puppets as Storytellers (THTR20042)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)
About this subject
Contact information
Summer Term
Overview
| Availability | Summer Term |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
A puppet allows alternative modes of authorship not easily achieved with live actors. This subject will initially examine the history of puppetry as a story telling language including the methods of construction and operation of various styles of puppet. The outcome of allocated research topics will be used to formulate ideas for a specific puppet character. Students should then apply this research to the design/making process required to make a puppet. The emphasis will be on the animation of the inanimate through the discovery of a “soul”. The puppet must have a purpose for being “alive” a reason to exist, a world to occupy, and a history of experiences to define the character that emerges
Some materials will be provided as part of a materials levy ($50.00 per student) however students will also need to supply specific materials for the realisation of their individual designed puppet in addition to this fee. Costs will vary depending on materials selected.
Intended learning outcomes
On completing this subject students will be able to:
- This subject will expose participants to the history of puppets as a storytelling vehicle and explore the nature of transforming the inanimate to the "living" character through the design and making of an operable puppet character.
Generic skills
Students should come away from this study with an understanding of:
- the historical context of puppetry as a storytelling vehicle;
- the concept of imbuing an inanimate object with life;
- the performative theory's surrounding puppetry and their influence on the design and realisation of a puppet;
- the process of developing and problem solving a design from concept to completion around the fundamental premise of "character".
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Research component: A research paper exploring a style of puppetry and its cultural context (1,000 words or equivalent) (worth 20%) Due end of week 1 (day 4) of classes, subject will be delivered as a Summer break Intensive over 2 weeks
| Week | 20% |
Guided Self Reflection (1,000 words or equivalent) Due 1 week after final class (worth 20%)
| End of the assessment period | 20% |
Design Portfolio: A folio of research images, concept drawings, working drawings and related materials. (1,000 words or equivalent) Due beginning of week 2 (day 6) of classes (worth 30%)
| Week 2 | 30% |
Completed Puppet (1,000 words or equivalent) Due end of week 2 (day 10) of classes (worth 30%)
| Week 2 | 30% |
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Summer Term
Mode of delivery On Campus (Southbank) Contact hours 60 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 29 January 2018 Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period there may be some preparatory tasks, reading and/or a student questionnaire. Teaching period 5 February 2018 to 21 February 2018 Last self-enrol date 30 January 2018 Census date 9 February 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 February 2018 Assessment period ends 5 March 2018 Summer Term contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 9 April 2025