Study plan - Master of Arts in Drama Pedagogy and Applied Theatre

The Master Degree programme is a postgraduate degree programme with a drama pegagogical approach and applicants must have previous training and experience in drama and theatre. The practical experience components of the programme ensures the connection to the field of practice in which drama pedagogy and applied theatretheatre intersect.

 

The programme is aimed at students, teachers, cultural workers or other arts practitioners with previous experience, training and interest in drama and theatre from a drama pedgogical perspective. It builds on the bachelor's degree or cand.mag. degree from a college, university or similar and requires a minimum of 80 ECTS credits in drama/theatre studies.

The MA degree is a two-year, full-time programme corresponding to 120 ECTS credits. Participation in Module 2 is mandatory and active participation in all subjects and work forms of the programme is expected. The programme places great emphasis on independent work.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

 

On completion of the programme, the student will have acquired an understanding of:

 

• historical and contemporary traditions in the broad field of drama/theatre and education,
• issues and research-related challenges associated with drama pedagogy and applied theatre,
• concepts and methods associated with the theory and practice of applied drama/theatre.

 

Proficiencies

 

On completion of the programme, the student will be able to:

 

• work within the fields of drama/theatre in education, teaching and other relevant arenas,
• reflect critically on the theory and practice of drama pedagogy and applied theatre,
• communicate fundamental aspects of the subject academically, pedagogically, and artistically.

 

General competencies

 

The student will be able to:

 

• assess and analyze drama pedagogy and applied theatre in theory and practice,
• conduct and communicate independent research work in the field and master its forms of expression,
• apply his/her knowledge and proficiencies to new areas.

Teaching

The work forms will be a combination of lectures, seminars, individual and group tutorials, performance/workshop, writing assignments and independent reading. The students must participate in study groups, practise peer-based tutoring and participate in seminar and project submissions. This requires active participation in the programme and regular attendance.

 

Canvas is the study support system, and the students are expected to use it actively. Off-site activities such as professional conferences or excursions are part of the curriculum in the first year of study. Costs for these activities are covered by the students themselves.

Assessment

Types of examination such as performance, written take-home examinations, oral examinations and thesis are part of the programme. Both letter grading (A-F) and the pass/fail designation are used and assessment is both internal and external.

Internationalization

The Drama Department has a number of foreign partners, both inside and outside the Nordic region, making international exchange possible.

Organization

The MA degree is made up of five modules:

• Module 1: Drama pedagogy and theatre theory, 15 ECTS credits
• Module 2: Applied theatre, 15 ECTS credits
• Module 3: Philosophy of science, methodology and academic writing, 15 ECTS credits
• Module 4: Subject-related philosophy of science with project description, 15 ECTS credits
• Module 5: MA thesis, 60 ECTS credits

 

The MA thesis constitutes the most important single element of the course and work on this begins during the second semester. The student may choose between two alternatives: A thesis as monograph or a thesis with drama pedagogy or applied theatre production.

 

Overview of organization, module designations, progression and examinations:

 

Module 1: M120DR113 - Drama pedagogy and theatre theory. 15 ECTS credits. First semester. Required reading: 1000 pages. Two pre-tests. Examination: Individual written take-home examination. External assessment. Letter grades.

 

Module 2: M120DR213 - Applied theatre, 15 ECTS credits. First semester. Required reading: 800 pages. Examination: Performance examination with project description. Internal assessment. Pass/fail.

 

Module 3: M120DR313 - Philosophy of science, methodology and academic writing, 15 ECTS credits. Second semester. Required reading: 1000 pages. One pre-test. Examination: Individual written take-home examination (5 days). Internal assessment. Letter grades.

 

Module 4: M120DR413 - Subject-related philosophy of science with project description, 15 ECTS credits. Second semester. Required reading: 800 pages. Examination: Project description for MA thesis. The thesis will be anonymized and assessed by the Drama Department as pass/fail.

 

Module 5: M120DR513 - MA thesis, 60 ECTS credits. Third and fourth semesters. Individual MA thesis and individual oral examination. Two alternatives. External assessment. Letter grades.

 

The first four modules are divided between first and second semesters in the first year of study. The second year of study is devoted to seminars, tutorials and work on the MA thesis (Module 5).

 

First semester: Modules 1 and 2. Module 1 has two pre-tests during the semester. Examination in Module 1, week 42. Module 2 starts in week 43. Examination in Module 2, beginning of week 51.

Second semester: Modules 3 and 4. Module 3 starts in week 2. One pre-test in the middle of the module. Examination in Module 3, week 11. Module 4 starts week 12. Examination in Module 4, at the end of week 20.

Excursion week 21.

Third and fourth semesters: Work on MA thesis, Module 5. Two alternative types of thesis are offered. An examination in Module 5 ends the fourth semester.

Each student has a main tutor associated with the MA thesis. It is the students¿ own responsibility to organize and formalize investigations of external practice linked to the MA thesis. The subject instructors will help to arrange contacts.

 

Combined required curriculum reading is 3,600 pages. This is in addition to the literature used in the work on the thesis. Because a significant portion of the professional literature and lectures will be in English, it is expected that all students will be able to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the language. Individually chosen curriculum readings are agreed to in consultation with subject instructors. All curriculum reading must be approved before each examination can be taken. The curriculum reading lists are normally available at the start of the programme.