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

The Master Degree programme is a postgraduate degree programme with a drama pedagogical 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 and applied theatre 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 pedagogical 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 in drama/theatre studies.

The MA degree is a two-year, full-time programme corresponding to 120 ECTS. 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

By the end of the study, the student has acquired knowledge about:

• Historical and actual traditions within the broad field of drama/theatre and education
• Research questions, and scientific and ethical challenges related to drama pedagogy and applied theatre.
• Concepts and methods connected to the field of drama/theatre and education, and its theory and practice.

 

Skills

By the end of the study, the student can:

• Work independently and creatively with drama/theatre and education related to teaching in schools and facilitation in other relevant arenas.
• Reflect in a critical and constructive way on the theory and practice of drama pedagogy and applied theatre
• Mediate fundamental aspects of the subject field in a scientific, pedagogic and artistic way.

 

General competence

The student can:

• Apply, evaluate and analyse drama pedagogy and applied theatre in theory and practice
• Carry out and communicate research independently in the field, and manage the field’s different modes of expression
• Apply acquired knowledge and skills in arts-based projects on different arenas in society.

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
• Module 2: Applied theatre and project management, 15 ECTS
• Module 3: Theory of Science, Research Method and Academic Writing, 15 ECTS
• Module 4: Art’s based and Artistic Research, 15 ECTS
• Module 5: MA Thesis, 60 ECTS

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: Drama Pedagogy and Theatre Theory, 15 credits. Reading: 1200 pages. 3 course requirements. Exam: Individual written home exam. Marking A-F.

Module 2: Applied Theatre and Project Management, 15 credits. Reading: 800 pages. 3 course requirements. Exam: Performance including a project description with a specific structure. Approved/not approved.

Module 3: Theory of Science, Research Method and Academic Writing, 15 credits. Reading: 1200 pages. 1 course requirement. Exam: Individual written home exam (5 days). Marking A-F.

Module 4: Art’s based and Artistic research. 15 credits. Reading: 800 pages. 3 course requirements. Exam: A) performance implementing art production as research method, and B) prose text reflecting on the research process and the performance. Both exams: Approved – not approved. Both exams have to be approved.

Module 5: Master’s Thesis, 60 credits. 1 course requirement. Individual thesis and individual oral exam. The master’s thesis constitutes the most important module, and work on the master’s thesis starts during the second semester. Students may choose between two variations: a thesis as a monograph (about 70-100 pages) or a drama/theatre pedagogical production with a thesis (about 40-50 pages). Marking A-F.

Each student has a main supervisor for the master’s thesis. The thesis is an examination of an external or internal practice analysed in the thesis. Investigating, organising and formalising external practice related to the master’s thesis is the student’s responsibility. The teacher will be of help in arranging contacts, and give guidance for ethical considerations.

The total syllabus/reading list is 4000 pages. This syllabus comes in addition to literature used for work on the master’s thesis. The main part of the course literature is published in English. Nordic students may have parts of the syllabus in a Scandinavian language and can write their master thesis in a Scandinavian language. Self-elected curriculum literature is set up in consultation with the teacher. All syllabus literature must be approved before each examination can be taken.