Course Catalogue

Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical classes, individual study, tutorials, preparation for live performance and includes;

Sharing knowledge, conceptual frameworks and discussion

Providing instruction in dance/performing to improve and enhance technique level

Explaining how to research, structure an academic argument and frame findings.

Developing skills in critical thinking

Guiding a creative process, providing feedback during and after the event 

Visiting lecturers contribute by offering other perspectives and simulate learning in a professional context.

A summary of the teaching and learning activities:

 At level 4 – Embedding key understandings, skills and knowledge whilst ensuring the student has an awareness of self- learning strategies and development of their academic skills

 At level 5 – Applying learning and extending further the students’ knowledge, skill base and ability to create work and  engage with the rehearsal process to ensure confident levels of performance.

At level 6 – Translation of knowledge and abilities into strategies for securing and sustaining employment in the industry and acquiring transferable graduate attributes for employment in different fields of work

Independent study is essential at each level. The journey from being a guided learner to an autonomous one is integral to the learning partnership between the institution and each student.

Assessment

Assessment is geared specifically to learning and serves the purposes of:

Helping students learn by highlighting strengths and weaknesses and working to develop their abilities to achieve the learning outcomes (LOs)

Mapping students’ skills, knowledge and ability against the LOs of their modules

Ensuring that the module or programme of study is delivering the required learning activities

As is appropriate in a vocational Commercial Dance programme there are a high number of practical assessments. To enhance the academic underpinning of the programme traditional types of assessment will also be used such as research, analysis and critical appreciation activities and writing tasks. 

Types of assessment used are essays and critical evaluations; practical tasks; live performance; studio projects; reports; group presentations and project management tasks.

In practical work at L4, emphasis in assessments is on process and progress made during the year.  Studio based assessments let the student demonstrate the progression made in a familiar environment. At L5, the emphasis shifts towards production/performance whilst still acknowledging the value of the process within assessment tasks. At L6, the emphasis shifts to public performance supported by follow-up written or oral presentations as appropriate, also at Level 6 students engage in a self directed research project.

Formative and Summative Assessments are used. Formative develops knowledge/skills in preparation for the mark-bearing Summative Assessment. Summative marks are reported to the LJMU Board of Examiners and ratified marks then appear on the students’ individual Progress transcript at the end of the academic year. Unratified marks are returned to the students within 15 working days of the assessment and accompanied by feedback from the marker. The specifics of each assessment are detailed in Module Guides.

The IAB is committed to equality of opportunity and, where reasonable and appropriate, adjusts the assessment tasks where a student has shown a specific need. The LOs are not adjusted and the level is maintained; the student is instead provided with the opportunity to demonstrate them in an alternative manner. Modifications to an assessment may include but not be limited to Additional time and/or Alternative Assessment tasks

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 modules are designed to develop understanding and competence with professional working practices and context. Creative Enterprise 2 Commercial dance and Production & Performance 2 provide students with an opportunity to experience and understand professional working practices within the arts and specifically the Commercial Dance industry. At Level 6 the students are expected to work as a professional artist and engage with other professionals in the appropriate manner. Production and Performance 3 and Professional Preparation modules offer specific work-related learning opportunities by enabling the students to engage in real world scenarios and with industry professionals.