| Unit name | Independent Study: Work Placement |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THTR30016 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Wozniak |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Performance Forms and Analysis or Performance Contexts THTR10002 Production for Design and Performance or DRAM10028 Production Skills for Performance 1 Performance Histories or Politics of Performance |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Theatre |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The unit will provide a structured and supervised opportunity for final-year students to pursue an industrial placement in a professional context, related to Theatre and Performance Studies. Students choose and arrange their own placements (subject to approval by the unit convenor), with support and guidance from the department. Theatre also has a number of ongoing relationships with arts organisations that students seeking placements can draw on. As part of the placement the student will conduct appropriate tasks under the guidance of a nominated mentor from the host organization, and under the supervision of an allocated tutor from the department. Students will be enabled to develop their work experience and establish links with the creative and cultural industries. The work placement also includes a critically-reflexive essay, which uses the placement as a case study, in order to explore wider questions concerning the professional production context in which the student works.
On successful completion of the unit, students will:
(1) be able to plan and effectively carry out an appropriate research project in response to a professional theatre/arts context;
(2) have developed their skills and gained practical work experience in a professional setting related to their studies in theatre and performance;
(3) be able to communicate in an interpersonal setting and collaborate very well as part of a team;
(4) be able to take initiative, make individual judgements and work responsibly in a professional role, carrying out tasks effectively and/or delivering an agreed project;
(5) have engaged closely and at an advanced level with how creative industries function practically, within wider cultural and artistic contexts;
(6) be able to evaluate their own work in a critically-reflexive manner, with detailed reference to academic and professional issues, debates, policies and conventions;
(7) be able to fluently articulate their understanding of the professional context, use a wider range of sources and apply cultural or conceptual frameworks in a more advanced way than at Level I.
5 x 1-hour meetings (either individual or in small groups) with academic supervisor + 75-100 hour industrial placement with mentor from host organization.
8 x 2 hour Professional Practice sessions to prepare students for post-University work
Mentor’s report for 75-100 hour industrial placement, assessed by academic supervisor (50%) ILOs 1-5 (this practice is well established in the existing Drama programme)
3,000 word essay, which takes the placement as a case study (50%) ILOs 1, 5-7.
The mentor’s report form will be clearly structured to address the appropriate ILOs, and will include clear and specific assessment criteria. The academic supervisor will assess the mentor’s report, and determine the grade.
Reading and references will be provided individually according to the agreed project.
