Introductory description

This route enables students to complete an individual practice as research project on a topic relevant to the applied theatre field that culminates in the completion of a practical outcome that may take the form of a performance, digital project or community-based output. The practice as research project 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. The practical output will be accompanied by a 4500-word documentation and evaluation of the research processes undertaken and the findings reached. 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 and practice skills relevant to their independent project.
• Demonstrate their understanding of how different forms impact on research with, and for, different publics.
• Confidently present their creative and critical thinking in ways that are coherently structured, logically developed and carefully prepared.

Indicative reading list

Balfour, Michael, Penny Bundy, Bruce Burton, Julie Dunn & Nina Woodrow. Applied theatre: resettlement:
drama, refugees and resilience. Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, 2015.
Baxter, Veronica. Applied Theatre: Performing Health and Wellbeing (London: Bloomsbury Methuen, 2016)
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.
Preston, Sheila, Applied Theatre: Facilitation: Pedagogies, Practices, Resilience (London: Bloomsbury
Methuen, 2016)
Rowe, Nick and Matthew Reason, Applied Practice: Evidence and Impact in Theatre, Music and Art
(London: Bloomsbury Methuen, 2016)
Shaughnessy, Nicola, Applying Performance: Live Art, Socially Engaged Theatre and Affective Practice,
(Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012)
Wisker, Gina The Postgraduate Research Handbook (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2001).

Research element

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

International

Students may elect to undertake a research project that has an international dimension.

Subject specific skills

By 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 and practice skills relevant to their independent project.
• Demonstrate their understanding of how different forms impact on research with, and for, different publics.
• Confidently present their creative and critical 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