Programme specification
This programme specification is aimed at prospective students and represents the most current course structure.
SECTION A: DETAILS OF THE COURSE AND AWARD
| Programme: | DRAMA AND LITERATURE (INCLUDING YEAR ABROAD) |
|---|---|
| Awarding body: | University of Essex |
| Teaching institution: | University of Essex |
| Department: | Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies |
| Final award: | BA |
| NQF Level of Qualification: | Honours |
| Full / Part Time | Full-time |
| QAA Benchmark Group: | English |
| 2nd QAA Benchmark Group - Joint Schemes: | Dance, Drama and Performance Arts |
| JACS code: | WQ42 |
| Publication date: | 28/02/2011 |
| Admission criteria:
if the applicant does not meet the specified criteria, he or she may discuss the application with the Head of Undergraduate or Head of Postgraduate admissions. |
A-levels: 300 points, including BB at A-level with one A-level in a humanities subject BTEC National Diploma: DDM Scottish Highers: AABB IB: 32 points |
SECTION B: PROGRAMME AIMS, OUTCOMES, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT METHODS
This section provides a concise overview of the programme of study, identifying the aims, learning outcomes and the corresponding methods of learning, teaching and assessment.
Programme: BA DRAMA AND LITERATURE (INCLUDING YEAR ABROAD)
Programme aims:
To offer a varied, flexible and distinctive curriculum focused on the study of English literature and encompassing several genres and periods. To enable students to: Understand the methodology necessary for undertaking a close analysis of a text passage or film extract. Acquire the critical terminology to identify and name the literary devices at work in a text. Work in a small group to prepare a presentation that demonstrates the skills involved in the close reading of an unseen text. Appreciate the relationship between the written and the spoken language. To encourage students to exercise their own judgements in the reading of both primary and secondary texts. To acquaint students with a range of contextual, conceptual and comparative frameworks. To provide the knowledge and skills (critical inquiry and argument, imaginative understanding, written and spoken communication and presentation) that will not only stand students in good stead for more specialised academic study, but will also enhance their graduate careers. To enable study of a wide range of dramatic texts, from Ancient Greek to the present day To provide students with an understanding of the principal developments in European Theatre To encourage understanding (both theoretical and practical) of the performance logic of dramatic texts
Programme Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
|
A1 : A range of English literature from the early modern period to present-day, including knowledge of a variety of genres (poetry, fiction, and drama) A2 : The major figures in the field, and the major literary tendencies or movements covered by the degree scheme A3 : The complex relationship between literature and culture (an appreciation of the way in which literary texts are embedded in their cultural and historical milieux, and an awareness of their role in creating cultural change) A4 : The key critical debates that have informed the field (and some familiarity with the most recent critical interventions) A5 : The basic methods of critical analysis and argument A6 : Specialised study in the final year in areas students have identified as being of particular interest A7 : A range of English and European drama and theatre, from classical Greek to the present-day A8 : The complex relationship between drama and theatre (an appreciation of the way in which dramatic texts are embedded in particular theatre cultures) A9 : Major theatre genres which might include: Didactic theatre, Expressionism, Naturalism, Surrealism, Epic, Theatre of the Absurd A10 : A range of Western theatre theorists, which might include: Aristotle, Brecht, Artaud, Grotowski, and Stanislavski A11 : The theatrical or performance logic contained within any text written for performance on the stage |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
|
B1 : Analyse and interpret B2 : Read complex texts and comment cogently on them B3 : Reason critically and argue coherently B4 : Identify critical positions and interrogate them B5 : Make and account for connections B6 : Think independently B7 : Think on their feet, grasping complex issues of dramatic structure and relating these to the fashioning of a performance |
C: Practical Skills
|
C1 : A vocabulary and a critical terminology for the analysis of literary texts C2 : A capacity for working independently and under guidance to utilise critical and other appropriate secondary reading C3 : The use of accepted conventions of presenting references and bibliographies in writing on literary topics C4 : The utilisation of a knowledge of literary and generic conventions C5 : The use of a critical methodology in written work, employing reasoned argument to appreciate and evaluate a literary text C6 : An effective style of writing to convey a range of responses as readers of a literary text C7 : A range of methods to perform a bibliographical search. C8 : The ability to present effective practical theatre projects C9 : The ability to plan, manage and conduct a group activity |
D: Key Skills
|
Communication: D1 : Clear, focused, relevant and effective written expression and oral communication IT Skills: D2 : Use appropriate IT to research and present material Problem Solving: D4 : Management of projects and timetables. Finding, understanding and organising information. Working with Others: D5 : Ability to "read" an argument in seminar discussion; ability to respond effectively; ability to work in a variety of group contexts.. Self Learning: D6 : Receptivity to feedback in the form of written comments on coursework and oral communications. |
Learning, Teaching & Assessment Methods or Strategies for the following:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
|
Learning Methods 1-10 are acquired through lectures, classes and continuously assessed coursework (with regular feedback, both oral and written, from tutors). The lectures offer surveys of the major periods of literature covered in the scheme and address the major approaches and issues (mainly 1-4, but also 7-10). The classes, on the other hand, tend to focus in more detail on textual examples, and give emphasis to student discussion and/ or presentation, preparing their argumentative skills for formal assessment. Classes and workshops are particularly pertinent to 8 and 11. Drama workshops allow a practical grasp of 11. In Year 3, the format for LT courses changes to a two-hour seminar, which may include informal lectures/ presentations by the teacher and gives further scope for students to practise their oral communication skills as well as to pursue more specialised areas of interest (5, 6). In addition, students are expected to extend and enhance the knowledge and understanding they acquire from classes and lectures by regularly consulting archival materials related to the course. This independent research is then consolidated in essay work. In TH subjects which include a workshop, students are encouraged to work both independently and as a group in preparation of end-of-course presentations. Assessment Methods Formal assessment of students' knowledge and understanding (1-4, 6, 7-10) takes place through coursework essays and unseen written examinations. Students are expected to analyse texts in the light of the contextual, conceptual and comparative frameworks offered to them during the scheme, whilst also formulating their own arguments and displaying critical competence (5). Outcome 11 is assessed formally in drama workshop presentations. In LT units, class contribution is assessed, a process which gives formal weight to preparation, comprehension, and oral communication and argumentation. |
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
|
Learning Methods Intellectual and cognitive skills are initiated through lectures in Year I and II, and further developed in seminars, as well as one-to-one tutorials where appropriate. The seminar- based work of Year III, like that of Years I and II, encourages critical discussion arising from the analysis and interpretation of texts with an emphasis on being able to reason cogently, argue coherently and present one's own viewpoint persuasively. Year III students are guided towards the acquisition of a reflective understanding of the arguments they and others propose, the analyses they and others offer, and the critical positions they and others employ. This is done through in situ feedback (formally and informally, as appropriate) in oral and written presentations, group based critical discussions and the analysis and interpretation of texts and critical positions. Therefore, Year III further develops and hones skills 1-5, but it is also where cumulatively 6 comes into its own (see also Independent Study), and where we seek evidence of the successful deployment of skill 6 in the assessment. Skill 7 is addressed in the course of drama workshops. Assessment Methods The seminars are intended as practice sessions for skills 1-6. Students translate the skills acquired there collectively into individually assessed essays. In turn, the essays prepare students for the exam. As the summative assessment for any given course, the exam tests their ability both to demonstrate and to sustain the same skills in controlled conditions. Drama workshop presentations (skill 7) are formally assessed. |
C: Practical Skills
|
Learning Methods Skills 1 and 4 are introduced in lectures and developed through classes (first and second years) and through seminars (third year). Guidance on skills 2, 3, and 5-7 is given in teaching, in supervision of essays, and in Departmental Handbooks. The strategy ensures that, having acquired a basic command of them, students exercise these skills in the third year in more specialised modules. Skills 8 and 9 are addressed in practical workshops Assessment Methods Assessment is by essays and examinations. Provision is made for selected students to be assessed on an Independent Study project in the third year in lieu of a taught module. The project has a presentation element which consists of 20% of the final mark. Essay questions are designed to test all skills. Examination questions test skills 1 and 4-6. Skills 8 and 9 are assessed in the course of a formal presentation before examiners. |
D: Key Skills
|
Learning Methods The five relevant key skills are implicit throughout the degree, and are supported in their development by seminar work, feedback on essays, and key skills packages. Assessment Methods D1-2, 4-6 are assessed through coursework and dissertations; D5 is assessed through a participation mark. |
SECTION C: COURSE STRUCTURE
Please refer to your option list as issued by the department where necessary,
and view module details in the module directory.
Additional notes on module choices:
STUDY ABROAD YEAR
1. Students must comply with the rules and regulations of the partner university.
2. Study Abroad students are required to take a full module load, which is a minimum of 30 ECTS credits per semester in Europe, 12 US credits per semester or quarter term in the US, or equivalent elsewhere. The Study Abroad Office will provide details.
3. Modules must normally be taken for a Grade, not on a Pass/Fail basis.
4. Modules should normally be taken at the appropriate study level. Detailed guidance will be provided by the designated Departmental representative.
5. All Study Abroad module choices must be approved in advance by the designated Departmental representative.
6. On a four-year degree, the Study Abroad Year will be weighted as 60 Essex credits for degree classification purposes, but all modules taken abroad will be used in calculating the converted marks.
Year 1
| Component No. | Module Code | Module Title | Status in Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | CS101-4-FY | THE ENLIGHTENMENT | Core |
| 02 | LT111-4-FY | INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE | Core |
| 03 | TH141-4-FY | INTRODUCTION TO DRAMA | Core |
| 04 | LT182-4-AU OR LT182-4-SP | Core with Options | |
| 05 | IA181-4-AU OR IA181-4-SP OR LT161-4-AU OR LT162-4-SP OR LT171-4-SP | Core with Options |
Year 2
| Component No. | Module Code | Module Title | Status in Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 2ND YEAR THEATRE STUDIES OPTION (30 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 02 | 2ND YEAR THEATRE STUDIES OPTION (30 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 03 | 2ND YEAR LITERATURE OPTION (30 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 04 | 2ND YEAR LITERATURE OPTION (30 CREDITS) | Optional |
Year 4
| Component No. | Module Code | Module Title | Status in Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | FINAL YEAR THEATRE STUDIES OPTION (30 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 02 | FINAL YEAR THEATRE STUDIES OPTION OR INDEPENDENT STUDY POSSIBLE (30 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 03 | FINAL YEAR LITERATURE OR FILM STUDIES OPTION (30 CREDITS) | Optional | |
| 04 | FINAL YEAR LITERATURE OPTION OR INDEPENDENT STUDY POSSIBLE (30 CREDITS) | Optional |
SECTION D: RULES OF ASSESSMENT
Rules of assessment are here: http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/students/ug/rules.htm
Assessment information for individual modules can be found on the Module Directory at http://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/
See also: details of individual modules in the module directory and links to course materials and resources in the Course
Materials Repository.
NOTE
The University of Essex Programme Specifications Catalogue is updated annually in April/May. The specifications represent the most current course structures and may be subject to review and change. Should you have any queries about the Catalogue's pages, please contact the Course Records Team, Systems Administration Office, Academic Section; email: crt (non Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk)