SPACES504 Theatre in social, health and community contexts

Contents and structure

The module offers an introduction to theories and practices of different contexts of applied theatre (educational, cultural, social, community, health etc.). Teaching and workshops on campus will be combined with field visits to different contexts (e.g., museum, prison, school, rehabilitation centre, elderly home, etc.). Throughout the module, students will practice analysing and reflecting on adapting specific performative approaches to the given contexts. The module concludes in a min. 30- hours-long fieldwork in groups, where students will devise performances with the stakeholders of different organizations.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the student will have the following total learning outcome:

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced knowledge in history and development of applied theatre, 12
• has advanced knowledge regarding various forms of applied theatre, participatory theatre and community theatre,
• has thorough knowledge in applied theatre as an arts educational field of practice,
• can interpret problems, questions and concepts from the practice and theory of applied theatre.

Skills

The student

• can demonstrate performative competence in the field’s forms of expression,
• can combine form and content in a conscious way artistically,
• can mediate and facilitate applied theatre processes,
• can communicate and interact performatively with target groups from chosen social arenas,
• can work out a project concept and plan for own arts-based projects.

Attitude

The student

• is flexible and a good organizer,
• is good at identifying and solving problems,
• is motivated to continuously develop themselves professionally.

General competence

The student

• can implement applied theatre in different social arenas,
• can lead and manage projects in applied theatre,
• can evaluate and put to practice arts-based research approaches

Entry requirements

• SPACES501 Introduction to drama and theatre pedagogy
• SPACES502 Art and research

Teaching methods

Methods of instruction in this module will be a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars, usually 4 days a week. The module demands regular attendance and active participation in classes, contribution to workshops and presentations in seminars. Teaching happens both on campus, outside campus and online. Students are also expected to work independently, in pairs and in groups.

Compulsory learning activities

Mandatory assignment 1:

Written group task.

Detailed project description with a timetable for project development and rehearsals

Assessment: approved/not approved.

Supportive materials that can be used: anything available on campus.

Mandatory assignment 2:

Practical group work.

Students will work in groups with the stakeholders of different organizations (e.g. refugee centre, church, prison, self-help group etc.) for min. 30 hours. This is a fieldwork in groups, where students will devise performances with the stakeholders.

Assessment: approved/not approved.

Supportive materials that can be used: any available literature.

Assessment

Practical group exam.

The exam is a performative presentation for/with a specific target group and a discussion with examiners afterwards.

The exam is graded Pass/Fail.

Examination support material

Anything available on campus.

More about examination support material