PRFM3611: Semester 2, 2025

Units PRFM3611 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

PRFM3611: Dramaturgy

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

What is a dramaturg How do you read a play Collaboratively create non-text based performance Prepare a production of a classic play This unit of study will investigate the various roles of the dramaturg, and may include a focus on new play dramaturgy, background research for historical plays, translation, and/or the role of the dramaturg as co-creator in performance works. This unit will include practical exercises in observing and analysing the development of a new Australian play or text for performance.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Theatre and Performance Studies
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points in 2000 level PRFM including PRFM2601
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PRFM3010
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Laura Ginters, laura.ginters@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Synopsis and dramaturgical recommendation Writing a synopsis	30%	Week 06 Due date: 12 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 30 Nov 2025	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Script Assessment Dramaturgical development analysis	70%	Week 11 Due date: 24 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 30 Nov 2025	3500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed summary can be found in Canvas

Assessment criteria

Detailed rubrics for each assessment task will be provided in Canvas.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Dramaturgy; Reading of Whitfella Yella Tree	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 02	Approaches to Script Analysis (1); Reading of Chicken in a Biscuit	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 03	Presentation of Group Script Analyses; Observation of Chicken in a Biscuit development (Rex Cramphorn Studio)	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 04	Wear It Purple Day. Theme: Write Your Story; Debrief on development observations; Approaches to Script Analysis (2); Group Script Analysis of Whitefella Yella Tree	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 05	First Peoples' Dramaturgies; Dramaturgical analysis preparation for Yellamundie Festival	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 06	Meet the artists: Lily Shearer (AD, Moogahlin Performing Arts, Yellamundie Festival); Dramaturgical analysis preparation for Yellamundie Festival	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 07	Yellamundie Festival: Dramaturgical Observation (Carriageworks)	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 08	Yellamundie Festival: Dramaturgical Observation (Carriageworks)	Lecture (8 hr)
Week 09	Debrief Yellamundie Festival: Writing about dramaturgical development processes	Lecture (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

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. For more information on attendance, see http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2014/345&RendNum=0

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Describe the evolution of the dramaturg in European, North American and Australian contexts;
LO2. Understand what is involved in the research and analysis required for new play dramaturgy, background research for historical texts, and devising new work and apply these skills in a variety of practical contexts;
LO3. Work collaboratively as a team member in a creative context

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Changes are made to this UoS in response to student feedback. We will endeavour, for instance, to confirm the Yellamundie Festival projects as early as possible, so that we can tailor our dramaturgical approaches to them.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Our dramaturgical observations will take place at the Yellamundie Festival, at Carriageworks. Following further consultation with Moogahlin Performing Arts (the organisation producing the Festival), further details relating to these observations will be made available to students.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

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Useful links