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Unit of study_

PRFM1601: Making Theatre: Beyond Drama

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

How do actors perform and make theatre? This unit introduces theatre and performance studies by exploring performance-making processes which focus on the work of the actor. The unit introduces theoretical, methodological and historical approaches in performance studies and, explores how "performance" extends beyond drama and theatre. No theatre-making experience required; students will not be assessed on their acting.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PRFM1601
Academic unit Theatre and Performance Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Glen McGillivray, glen.mcgillivray@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Glen McGillivray, glen.mcgillivray@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Weekly workshop discussions
Weekly integration of workshop material
10% Multiple weeks 500 words (equivalent)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Small test Early Feedback Task
This is an #earlyfeedbacktask which is formative
0% Week 02
Due date: 02 Mar 2024 at 23:59
Multiple choice question quiz
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration Performance Task 1
Short scene presentation using Stanislavskian techniques
25% Week 06
Due date: 26 Mar 2024 at 23:59
1000wds (equivalent)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Essay
Analytic essay using theoretical tools
40% Week 07
Due date: 14 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration Performance Task 2
Short scene presentation using postdramatic techniques
25% Week 13
Due date: 21 May 2024 at 23:59
1000 word (equivalent)
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Please see rubric on Canvas site

Distinction

75 - 84

Please see rubric on Canvas site

Credit

65 - 74

Please see rubric on Canvas site

Pass

50 - 64

Please see rubric on Canvas site

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and Welcome. Acknowledgement of Country. What to expect at University. The Discipline of Theatre and Performance Studies: Teachers, key approaches. This unit of study. McAuley's key concepts. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4
The actor's body in space and exploring being versus doing Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Before the 'system': Acting in the 18th Century Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Relationships: authentically affecting your scene partner Workshop (2 hr) LO2
Week 03 Stanislavsky's Problem: Navigating the Actor's State and the Creative State. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Embodying the dramatic fiction: Stanislavsky's "Magic If" Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Stanislavsky's Lens: Discovering the 'Facts' of the Play (given circumstances) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Embodying the dramatic fiction: exploring the given circumstances Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 AI-Assisted Essay Writing: Your New Secret Weapon, Part 1 Lecture (1 hr)  
Structured rehearsals of Performance Task 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 AI-Assisted Essay Writing: Unlocking Further Potential, Part 2 Lecture (1 hr)  
Presentation of Performance Task 1 Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 Mid-point summary: where are we now? where are we heading? Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
In class essay draft feedback Workshop (2 hr)  
Week 08 Beyond the Stage: Kirby's Spectrum of Acting and Not-Acting Explored Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Exploring presentational reality Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Chronicles of the Avant-Garde: A Deep Dive into Postdramatic Theatre's History and Context Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Task-based performance Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 The Aspects of Body and Time in Postdramatic Theatre Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Body and time Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 The Aspects of Space and Text in Postdramatic Theatre Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Space and text Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Politics, power and performance Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Structured rehearsals of Performance Task 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 13 Semester summary and a preview of what's to come in Theatre and Performance Studies Lecture (1 hr)  
Presentation of Performance Task 2 Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, scene preparation, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Details of readings are on the unit Canvas site

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Identify and interrogate common beliefs about acting;
  • LO2. Distinguish the limits and possibilities of psychologically-based characterisation;
  • LO3. Explore the fluidity of the actor-audience relationship;
  • LO4. Situate modern acting practices within their historical contexts.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback and to maintain consistency with other first year units in the Faculty (eg: ARHT: 1001; FILM1000) a small shift of emphasis has been introduced in order to make this unit more of a disciplinary introduction than its previous iteration. The change to the subtitle indicates to first year students that the disciplinary focus will go “beyond drama” as they learned it at high school. The shift from the director to the actor/performer allows the unit to focus on key questions that concern the discipline. Using Gay McAuley's (1999) terms, the two performance tasks allow students to explore how actors present a "dramatic fiction" and work based more in the "presentational reality" of a performance. It explores the nuances of psychologically-based characterisation (LO1, LO2) used in conventional drama and then problematises these with non-psychologically-based approaches to performance (LO2, LO3). The pedagogical design allows students to have both an embodied engagement with the processes, problems and possibilities of acting and the opportunity to reflect on these

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.