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Alexander Technique for Daily Function (MUST10012)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Southbank)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject empowers students to make conscious changes to unconscious patterns of physical tension caused by stress, everyday life events and performance habits that are unhelpful to them and to their artistic practice as singers, actors, musicians and dancers. Alexander Technique was developed to promote freedom and ease in movement and can provide relief of pain, playing an important role in injury rehabilitation and prevention as new, more effective patterns of movement are learned and integrated into daily life and arts practice. Fundamental to alignment and balance, Alexander Technique has long been recognised for its benefits to actors, singers, musicians and dancers, preventing injury and developing physical, emotional and vocal freedom. Students will participate in various individual and group activities providing a practical context to learn the basic concepts and applied procedures involved in the Alexander Technique. The fundamental skills and understanding developed through this subject will be able to be applied by the student in daily life and in their artistic practice as performers. This unit introduces the skills and knowledge required to improve postural support, balance, movement and breathing in daily life and function. This will develop awareness of habitual patterns of tension and provide foundation embodied knowledge that can be further developed in the Level 2 subject, Alexander Technique for Performance. The practical work will be supported by reading materials that expound the theory, its history and procedures.
Intended learning outcomes
- Develop an understanding of the basic principles and procedures developed by F. M. Alexander;
- develop understanding of the Alexander Technique's role in reducing both physical pain and dysfunction, in daily life and in habits acquired in performance practice;
- develop the foundation on which to build students' further understanding of their own patterns of response and those of their colleagues and students through improved observational skills;
- develop understanding of self-application of Alexander Technique principles to facilitate more efficient patterns of movement in everyday life and as a foundation to all performance practice.
Generic skills
On completion of the subject students will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the theory and procedures of Alexander technique;
- demonstrate a working understanding of the fundamental principles of Alexander technique;
- make effective physical adjustments when directed to alleviate tension and enable ease of movement in simple physical tasks;
- demonstrate a developing awareness and analysis of patterns of tension that arise in their work as performers and make physical adjustments when directed to alleviate these.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
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: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Continuous: focusing on achievements against set criteria in areas such as engagement, developing a methodology, transference of skills into practice, professional attitude and commitment. | From Week 1 to Week 12 | 10% |
Written test.
| Week 6 | 10% |
Formal: two formal assessments of the practice of the Technique in a simulation of everyday activities, each of 10 minutes, Week 6, and Week 12 . (20% per assessment).
| During the teaching period | 40% |
Written: journal of critical self-reflection, comprising weekly entries over 12 weeks, demonstrating continuous awareness and developing implementation of practice of the Technique in daily life and the impact on well-being and physical function.
| Week 12 | 40% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend 80% of all scheduled classes and attempt all elements of assessment to be eligible for a pass in this subject | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Jayde Kirchert Mode of delivery On Campus (Southbank) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Last updated: 3 November 2022