Course Objectives

The student should will:
. Expand his/her insight into the nature of the Drama subject, and its basis in culture, play, theatre art and art pedagogy. The topics include work with creating fictional situations, producing a gestalt of the roles, acting and dissemination.
. Expand his/her understanding of how children create drama, and of the aesthetic aspect of play.

Subject knowledge
The student will:

· Develop their knowledge of play as an aesthetic form of awareness
· Recognise and account for European theatre history up to around the twentieth century
· Develop skills in dramaturgy
· Acquire knowledge of drama teaching approaches
· Further develop skills in using body and voice
· Develop knowledge of improvisation work
· Gain experience with dance and movement expression
· Further develop knowledge of role play
· Gain experience of dramatic design
· Get experience and knowledge of theatre for children

Pedagogical work with children
The student will learn skills in relation to:
. Planning and arranging aesthetic experiences in order to inspire children to engage in dramatic play in day-care centres.
. Discovering drama and theatre activities with children.
. Using various forms of expression and techniques related to development in drama.
. Planning and arranging drama pedagogical activities related to children’s experience of theatre.
Methods and reflection
The student will learn to:
. Evaluate and analyse theatrical performances for children.
. Evaluate and use methods for the development of play for children.
. Reflect on the opportunities for learning and knowledge that using theatre and drama in day-care centres makes possible.
. Identify and formulate drama pedagogical problem approaches for development work in day-care centres.
. Learn about methods which are suited to drama pedagogical development work.

Course Description

The subject drama is a scientific, practical and aesthetic study and it is also used as a method throughout different areas in education.

. Professional competence in the subject drama is based on knowledge, attitudes and skills related to theatre, and the areas of pedagogy and play.
. Didactic expertise is achieved when you are able to reflect upon the relationship between theory and practice.
. As a teacher you must use your social skills, and drama provides particularly good opportunities for the development of the ability of interaction, communication and empathy.
. In addition, drama in academic work often reflects upon and assesses the relationship between ethics and aesthetics, and so trains the ability to carry out professional-ethical assessments.
. Professional drama work requires change and development expertise. You need to work actively and be engaged in relation to the child’s world of experience and forms of expression, while you are aware and reflected upon the changes in your professional role; and you need to be constantly updated in the field
These five competence areas will be realised in different ways through the various areas of drama studies. The work on target areas will ensure alternating between personal expression, theoretical knowledge, practical experience and didactic reflection.
Aesthetic knowledge and experience in drama is based on practical and the artistic performing arts, which is emphasised in the programme.

Learning Methods

The programme is structured around workshops; attendance at these is obligatory. Absence must be compensated by completing other assignments which must be agreed on with the subject teacher.
Between the workshops, students will be given assignments which can be completed by using Classfronter (accessible online).
At the beginning of the programme a 3-day obligatory course in methodology will be arranged.
Teaching and learning methods
. Teacher-directed practical instruction
. Lectures
. Student-directed group work (theatre workshop and drama workshop) with presentations
. Theatre production: theatre for children
. Study trip
The study programme aims to provide a mixture of theatre artistic experience, drama pedagogical practice, theoretical knowledge and reflection.
The student will participate in theatre productions in groups; one of these productions will be performed in front of an audience which includes children.
Obligatory visits to the theatre will be arranged so that students will gain insight into theatre for children and adults. Students can expect to incur expenses in connection with the visit to the theatre/ study trip.
The relationship between theory and practice
Teaching practice consists of 15 hours in the spring semester. A practice-project with a subject didactic approach will be written in connection with the period of teaching practice. Teaching practice may be carried out individually or in groups.

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment
In discussions with teachers and co-students, students will be given the opportunity to evaluate their progress in the subject.
In order to be permitted to take the examination, students must first have submitted their assignments within the designated deadlines and received passing marks; these assignments will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

Autumn:
. Introductory course (individual reflection commentary).
. Theatre production (individual reflection commentary)
. Piece of theatre criticism related to the theatre visit/study trip (written, individual).
Spring:
. Project assignment related to the teaching practice (written, individual)
. Theatre production (practical group work documented using a video camera)
. Drama seminar presentation (written individual work and oral presentation in groups)
Final assessment
The final grade is based on the portfolio and a practical-artistic component (performance-work in groups) and an individual oral examination.

Portfolio
During the course of the study programme students will submit and present various pieces of written and oral work. By the end of the course they will also have carried out various performance activities which will be documented using a video camera. These documentation items will be included in the student’s portfolio. Three pieces of work will be selected from the work portfolio and included in the presentation portfolio. In addition to these three pieces, the student will write a final reflective commentary. This portfolio will be assessed and awarded a grade which will be included in the final assessment.
Practical artistic work
Students will be allotted 3 days’ preparation time in which to compose a piece of scenic expression which will be presented to the examiner, subject teachers, co-students and others.
There will also be an oral interview with examiner and subject teachers concerning the presentation.
Individual oral examination
The oral examination is related to the practical artistic work and/or portfolio.
Weighting:
. The portfolio counts for 35%.
. The artistic presentation in groups counts for 40%.
. The oral examination counts for 25%
A final grade will be entered on the diploma, graded from A to F, where A is the highest grade and E the lowest passing grade.
Please refer to Telemark University College’s examination regulations for more information.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean