Course Catalogue

The educational aims of the programme are for the student to: 1.Provide its graduates with the creative, technical, and professional skills, knowledge and understanding to gain and sustain employment as a dancer or creative practitioner in the Contemporary Dance field and related performing arts and entertainment sectors. 2.Supply its graduates with a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts, ideas and theories which impact upon and underpin Contemporary dance and performing arts practice. 3.Develop in its graduates an understanding of the social, political, and cultural implications of performing arts practice and an awareness of their potential role in this. 4.Encourage its graduates to adopt entrepreneurial approaches to their future professional careers in the creative industries. 5.Develop intellectual, analytical, self-reflective, and interpersonal level graduate and transferable skills.

Teaching and Learning Teaching is delivered by means of lectures, practical classes, technique classes, small group teaching workshops/practical activities, individual practice, individual/group tutorials, rehearsals/preparation for live performance and live performance. Teaching incorporates: · Sharing factual knowledge, introducing conceptual frameworks and inspiring discussion activity. · Providing instruction in dance/performing to improve and enhance technique level. · Demonstrating use of technology, applications and the exploration of possibilities. · Explaining how to research, collect and analyse data, structure an academic argument and frame findings. · Exploring and developing skills in critical analysis of self and others., · Providing learning activities to develop interpersonal skills and graduate attributes. · Guiding a rehearsal/creative process, providing constructive feedback to enhance the students’ breadth and depth of learning, and providing further feedback after the live/completed event. Visiting lecturers and professional artists contribute to the programme to offer other perspectives and simulate learning through a professional work environment. Throughout the programme the student is encouraged to read widely to consolidate and supplement that being taught to network within the industry and to set goals and challenge self. A summary description of the teaching and learning activities by level is: At level 4 – Embedding key understandings, skills and knowledge whilst ensuring that the student has an awareness of self-learning strategies and development of their interpersonal/academic skills. Students will undertake practical and theoretical classes in classical and contemporary techniques; associated techniques such as Urban Dance, Improvisation and Text, Body & Voice; creative practice, choreography and movement research; dance history and academic studies; creative enterprise studies with focus on physical and mental wellbeing, as well as business studies; production and performance practice and experience. The focus of all level 4 modules is to provide a solid foundation across the broad range of industry requirements and to prepare students for level 5. At level 5 – Applying learning and extending further the students’ knowledge, skill base and ability to make/create work and engage with the rehearsal process to ensure confident levels of performance and creation. Students will undertake practical and theoretical classes in classical and contemporary techniques; associated techniques such as Urban Dance, Improvisation and Text, Body & Voice; creative practice, choreography and movement research; contextual studies and research methods; creative enterprise studies with focus on teaching pedagogy and art and event management; production and performance practice and experience. The focus of all level 5 modules is to provide advanced training and prepare students for level 6, paving the way for a portfolio career in the industry. At level 6 – Translation of knowledge and abilities into strategies for securing and sustaining employment in the industry and acquisition of transferable graduate attributes for employment in different /wider fields of work. Students will undertake practical and theoretical classes in classical and contemporary techniques; engage in a substantial research project, engage in creative enterprise studies with focus on professional preparation for the industry; and professional level production and performance experience with industry professionals. The focus of all level 6 modules is to consolidate all previous training to allow students to enter and perform successfully in the creative industries sector, and to attain a graduate standard in transferable skills. Regular, well planned, and focused self-directed study is essential for a successful outcome at each level of study. Different students may need to spend different amounts of time on different subjects. The journey from

The programme is vocationally specific and designed to include work-related learning. Industry standard facilities, hardware and software are used throughout the programme. The practical assessment tasks wherever possible are positioned against industry standards and processes to replicate ‘real world’ situations. Students are also given access to a range of opportunities to undertake voluntary, extra-curricular work in the industry. At Level 5 the seven modules are designed to develop understanding and competence with professional working practices and context and students participate in the creation and presentation of performances in front of audiences. Students have the opportunity to work with dance, theatre and commercial entertainment industry professionals. At Level 6 the students are expected to work as a professional artist and engage with other professionals in the appropriate manner. Five modules offer specific work relating learning opportunities by engaging external professionals (directors, choreographers, artists) working with the students to deepen technique and entrepreneurial skills and to create performance projects.