Introductory description

This route enables students to complete an individually written dissertation of 15,000 words on a research topic of their choice that offers an extended investigation of issues and/or practices in the Applied Theatre field. The dissertation must evidence a clear research question that engages directly with the context of the research, the research methodology/ies involved and indicate the potential for knowledge that will impact on the field. Each student taking this route will be allocated a supervisor in the Department who will offer support and guidance as the dissertation evolves.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Setting up the dissertation: 2 hours (summer term week 1)
Presentation of project proposals: 3 hours (summer term week 5)
Work-in-progress: 6 Hours (summer term week 10)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Design, project manage and realise an extended piece of research in the area of applied theatre.
• Undertake rigorous and advanced critical analysis of their own/others practice.
• Demonstrate advanced research skills relevant to their independent project.
• Demonstrate their understanding of how different forms impact on research with, and for, different publics.
• Confidently present their thinking in ways that are coherently structured, logically developed and carefully prepared.
• Develop group cooperation skills, including the ability to give and receive constructive critical feedback, and to improve communication skills and advanced analytic abilities in discussions.

Indicative reading list

Balfour, Michael, Penny Bundy, Bruce Burton, Julie Dunn & Nina Woodrow. Applied theatre: resettlement:
drama, refugees and resilience. Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2015.
Cottrell, Stella The Study Skills Handbook 2nd Edition (Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave, 2003)
Creme, P. & M.R. Lea, Writing at University: A Guide for Students (Buckingham: Open University Press,
1997)
Fairbairn, Gavin, Reading, Writing, Reasoning: a guide for students (Buckingham: Open University Press,
1996)
Kershaw, Baz & Helen Nicholson (eds.), Research Methods in Theatre and Performance (Edinburgh:
Edinburgh University Press, 2011)
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th edition.
MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing.
Trencsényi, Katalin and Bernadette Cochrane (eds.) New dramaturgy: international perspectives on theory
and practice. Bloomsbury, 2014.
Wisker, Gina The Postgraduate Research Handbook (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2001).

Research element

Students are asked to design, project manage and realise an extended piece of research in the area of applied theatre

International

Students may elect to research work with an international dimension

Subject specific skills

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• Design, project manage and realise an extended piece of research in the area of applied theatre.
• Undertake rigorous and advanced critical analysis of their own/others practice.
• Demonstrate advanced research skills relevant to their independent project.
• Demonstrate their understanding of how different forms impact on research with, and for, different publics.
• Confidently present their thinking in ways that are coherently structured, logically developed and carefully prepared.
• Develop group cooperation skills, including the ability to give and receive constructive critical feedback, and to improve communication skills and advanced analytic abilities in discussions.

Transferable skills

Project design
Project management
research skills
analytical skills
communication skills
Presentation skills