Leader: Michael Coe

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit will provide students with an opportunity to develop a research project in relation to specific industry needs. It may be an audience survey, a dramaturgical study, an investigation of performing arts policy, theatre as cultural action in a community context or a work placement in a selected aspect of the performing arts industry. The research project will involve negotiated outcomes between the student, the university and any particular professional organisation involved. Initial attention would be directed towards developing a suitable research methodology to undertake fieldwork, bearing in mind ethical issues affecting human research.

Objectives

Students who complete this unit successfully should have developed:

1. The ability to design a research project relevant to the needs of a specific aspect of the professional performing arts industry.

2. An understanding of the frameworks that produce high quality theatre research.

3. An enhanced knowledge of the ways in which artists, administrators, critics and audiences interact in the performing arts industry.

4. The capacity to produce a qualitative research report and to demonstrate excellent written communication skills.

Assessment

Initial research proposal (2000 words): 30%
A research report (7000 words): 70%

Contact hours

2 hours per week

Prerequisites

Dramatic Criticism, Theory, Methods and at least three other level 4/5 units in the program