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  2. Development of Performance: History and Context [PMA1002]

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Development of Performance: History and Context

  • Unit Code

    PMA1002

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit reviews the evolution of theatre practice from early 20th century to current times profiling approaches to performance making by leading international practitioners including the creation of site-specific projects. Students will explore more recent styles, influences and methodologies of performance making and how these can be utilised in their continuing creative practice. Financial, environmental, political and cultural imperatives are all elements to be taken into account.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from PMA1001

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge into individual and group practice.
  2. Articulate and develop ideas via research and critical investigation.
  3. Demonstrate their knowledge of the historical foundations of theatre and performance making.
  4. Understand the competitive opportunities and pressures of contemporary society on performance making.

Unit Content

  1. Current socio-political and environmental influences.
  2. Leaders and current practitioners in performance making.
  3. Styles, methodologies and impacts of diverse contemporary theatre practices.
  4. Theatre history from early 20th century to current times.
  5. Working in groups to investigate key concepts and their application.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and workshops.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ParticipationIn-class participation in discussions, workshop activities and special research50%
Reflective PracticeJournal30%
EssayIndividual assignment20%

Text References

  • ^ Bentley, E. (2000). The theory of the modern stage. Hal Leonard Corp.
  • ^ Callery, D. (2001). Through the body: A practical guide to physical theatre. NY: Routledge.
  • ^ Cole, S., & Letzler (1992). Directors in rehearsal: A hidden world. New York: Routledge.
  • ^ Mermikidies, A., & Smart, J. (2010). Devising in process. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • ^ Zarrilli, P. (1995). Acting (re-) considered: Theories and practices. London: Routledge.
  • Etchells, T. (1999). Certain fragments: Contemporary performance and forced entertainment. London; New York: Routledge.
  • Graham, S., & Hoggett, S. (2009). The frantic assembly book of devising theatre. London: Routledge.
  • Holmberg, A. (1996). The theories of Robert Wilson. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press.
  • Le Page, R. (1997). Robert Le Page: Connecting flight (Interviews with Remy Charest, trans. W.R. Taylor). London: Methuen.
  • Sanchez-Coburg, A. (1996). Altered states and subliminal spaces: Charting the road towards physical theatre. Performance Research, 1 (2)

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PMA1002|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Development of Performance: History and Context

  • Unit Code

    PMA1002

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit reviews the evolution of theatre practice from early 20th century to current times profiling approaches to performance making by leading international practitioners including the creation of site-specific projects. Students will explore more recent styles, influences and methodologies of performance making and how these can be utilised in their continuing creative practice. Financial, environmental, political and cultural imperatives are all elements to be taken into account.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from PMA1001

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge into individual and group practice.
  2. Articulate and develop ideas via research and critical investigation.
  3. Demonstrate their knowledge of the historical foundations of theatre and performance making.
  4. Understand the competitive opportunities and pressures of contemporary society on performance making.

Unit Content

  1. Current socio-political and environmental influences.
  2. Leaders and current practitioners in performance making.
  3. Styles, methodologies and impacts of diverse contemporary theatre practices.
  4. Theatre history from early 20th century to current times.
  5. Working in groups to investigate key concepts and their application.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and workshops.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ParticipationIn-class participation in discussions, workshop activities and special research50%
Reflective PracticeJournal30%
EssayIndividual assignment20%

Text References

  • ^ Bentley, E. (2000). The theory of the modern stage. Hal Leonard Corp.
  • ^ Callery, D. (2001). Through the body: A practical guide to physical theatre. NY: Routledge.
  • ^ Cole, S., & Letzler (1992). Directors in rehearsal: A hidden world. New York: Routledge.
  • ^ Mermikidies, A., & Smart, J. (2010). Devising in process. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • ^ Zarrilli, P. (1995). Acting (re-) considered: Theories and practices. London: Routledge.
  • Etchells, T. (1999). Certain fragments: Contemporary performance and forced entertainment. London; New York: Routledge.
  • Graham, S., & Hoggett, S. (2009). The frantic assembly book of devising theatre. London: Routledge.
  • Holmberg, A. (1996). The theories of Robert Wilson. Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press.
  • Le Page, R. (1997). Robert Le Page: Connecting flight (Interviews with Remy Charest, trans. W.R. Taylor). London: Methuen.
  • Sanchez-Coburg, A. (1996). Altered states and subliminal spaces: Charting the road towards physical theatre. Performance Research, 1 (2)

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

PMA1002|1|2