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Independent Directing Project (DRAM90017)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 50On Campus (Southbank)
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The Independent Project is a major practice and research subject, drawing on and applying the knowledge and skills of directing gained throughout the course.
Through discussions in advance of the subject, each student will identify a performance project they will direct. This could be a solo performance they devise and perform themselves, the direction of a single-authored text, or anything in-between.
The performance outcome can take place on campus with undergraduate actors, for a season of graduate work at La Mama, for a company that engages you to direct for them, or for an independent production.
The practice – direction of a piece of performance – forms a major part of a critical research project with a written dissertation and the two parts will be supervised by a member of Theatre staff.
It is possible that the entire project could be written (rather than practice-led).
It is possible that the production might take place outside of Melbourne, provided that appropriate supervision and assessment can be ensured.
The student is asked to set up a research question to investigate and analyse through creative practice and through the identification and application of appropriate critical and theoretical frameworks. Supervision will take place throughout the project.
The assessment structure is devised to allow students to create their research proposal, pursue that research in the relevant practical context and then present their findings in the following assessments on campus at the end of the project: individual documentation (journal and/or multimedia), a class presentation and critical analysis in a final essay.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- utilise research and practice skills in an industry setting;
- create a performance work for a public audience;
- understand the way venues, festivals, events, etc. are run and how to function as an artist within them;
- reflect on and critically analyse own artistic practice;
- demonstrate imaginative and creative communication and presentation skills in the delivery of a research proposal and research presentations;
- identify a research methodology appropriate to their discipline and project;
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of the critical issues in the field of research methodologies in researching performance.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- create and organise aesthetic material;
- use a range of research tools and methodologies;
- solve problems;
- interpret and analyse;
- develop the capacity for critical thinking;
- work independently;
- communicate effectively;
- organise and manage time;
- understand the relationship with and responsibility to the cultural environment;
- work with respect for intellectual integrity, intellectual property and for the ethics of research and scholarship.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Directing theatre- practical and theoretical.
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
1000-word thesis proposal, and a 2000-word annotated bibliography and literature/performance review
| Early in the teaching period | 15% |
Thesis, comprised of written dissertation and practice (including performance outcome if applicable). Written work/final thesis due: in the assessment period. Performance due: throughout the teaching period.
| Throughout the teaching period | 75% |
20-minute class presentation
| End of the teaching period | 10% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Kat Henry Mode of delivery On Campus (Southbank) Contact hours 60 hours Total time commitment 680 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Suggested reading may include:
Nelson, R. (2013) Practice as Research in the Arts: Principles, Protocols, Pedagogies, Resistances. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Barrett, E and Bolt, B (2007) Practice as Research: Approaches to Creative Arts Enquiry, London: I.B. Tauris.
Riley, S. R. and Hunter, L. (2009) Mapping landscapes for performance as research: scholarly acts and creative cartographies, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Freeman, J. (2010) Blood, sweat & theory, London: Libri Publications.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Theatre (Directing)
Last updated: 31 January 2024