CVL4040

Professional celebration of rites of passage

Fred Klarberg

12 points -3 hours per week -Second semester -On-campus -Caulfield

Objectives On completion of the subject the students will have an ability to organise and deliver any ceremony marking a milestone in a person's life; an understanding of the role of the celebrant; an ability to write a personalised introduction to a wedding, or an appropriate talk for other occasions including a eulogy; enhanced skills in interviewing clients and eliciting relevant information to construct a talk and personalise the ceremony.

Synopsis The subject examines the nature of ceremony in general, and ceremony as marking points of passage in life. Major focus is on weddings and funerals but other life cycle events for which ceremony is appropriate are also discussed. The question of the significance of ceremony for secular people is raised. The subject is primarily practical covering interviewing clients and preparing the ceremony; choice of venue; constructing a eulogy or a talk for a wedding ceremony; incorporating musical and literary elements into the ceremony; dress, and the general notion of ceremonial theatre including positioning of the principal players and the audience. There will be an element of instruction in public speaking.

Assessment A journal (1000 words): 15% -A written description of an interview (2000 words): 25% -A personalised introduction to a ceremony (2000 words): 25% -An essay (3000 words): 30% -Class talk (1000 words): 5%

Recommended texts

Attorney General's Dept Handbook for marriage celebrants AGPS, 1988
Griffin G and Tobin D In the midst of life: The Australian response to death MUP,1982
Hudson H Civil rites and ceremonies Heritage Press, 1996
Messenger D Ceremonies for today 3rd rev. edn, DMPR, 1997
Van Gennep A The rites of passage Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1960

Back to the 1999 Arts Handbook