DRAMA 301 Drama: Topics and Themes - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

Building on the principles and practical skills from DRAMA 202 and 204, the course will focus more narrowly on topics of theatrical practice and dramatic representation. Classes involve theatrical workshops and collaborative projects.

Course Overview

In this course, we will experiment with dramatic work growing out of the dramatic potential of the mask, especially in the major classic comedy tradition of the Italian (later Europe-wide) commedia dell’arte. We will also consider other traditions and sources of comedy. Our final project will give you the chance to put together skills learned throughout the Drama major in the group performance of a version (YOUR version!) of a major work of the comic tradition (title varies from year to year). You should be prepared for extensive practical workshops and exercises on the material studied, both solo and in groups.

Our first set of assignments will be around comedy masks and their use. After some introductory sessions on basic mask work and the “neutral” mask, you will perform a short devised piece of your own and then each develop and present an original mask character using a commedia-style mask. After the semester break, you will put some of those characters together in a short skit devised by workshop groups, and then work, finally, on part of a full play, as a final project. Help is available throughout the semester, both for groups and individuals who need it. Just ask and make a time.

Readings for classes will be provided over Canvas in weekly modules, when appropriate, and you are also expected to work on group projects for a further two hours a week, on Wednesday afternoons. Assessment is based on work in class, both individually and in groups, plus occasional written reflective assessments of your creative exploration and development. There is no examination.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: DRAMA 202 or 204 and approval of Academic Head or nominee

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Develop practical experience with different kinds of mask work and movement and with character creation. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 4.3)
Experiment with traditions and styles of masking through guided individual and group assignments. (Capability 1.2, 2.2 and 3.2)
Communicate comic situations through performance and analysis, individually and in groups. (Capability 4.2 and 5.2)
Become familiar with several kinds of comedy and comic styles, both performed and scripted. (Capability 1.1 and 1.3)
Perform confidently and creatively before an audience in genres of mask and comedy. (Capability 3.2, 4.2 and 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Reflection	5%	Individual Coursework
Presentation	50%	Individual Coursework
Reports	15%	Individual Coursework
Presentation	30%	Group Coursework
4 types	100%

Next offered

Semester 2, 2022

Workload Expectations

For this course, you can expect 4 hours of lecture-demonstration classes and a 2 hour group project workshop per week, plus individual project and assignment preparation variably through the semester.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including classes and workshop group sessions to receive credit for components of the course.
The course will not include live online events, unless covid Alert levels in Auckland require it.
Attendance on campus is required for performance presentations.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Other Information

Students should come to class wearing clothing they are able to move freely in.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Capability 1:	Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2:	Critical Thinking
Capability 3:	Solution Seeking
Capability 4:	Communication and Engagement
Capability 5:	Independence and Integrity

DRAMA 301 : Drama: Topics and Themes

Arts

2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)