BA Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised February 2023
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6	Programme Title			BA Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			September 2023		Award type			BA
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10	What level is this qualification?			6		Length of programme			3 years
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full Time
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			School of Arts and Creative Technologies
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18	Lead department			School of Arts and Creative Technologies		Other contributing departments			N/A
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			campus
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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27	N/A
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	University UG Programme Design Policy; QAA Benchmark for Dance, Drama and Performance (2019)
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
36	No
37	No
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	N/A
42	N/A
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	No			Transfers out:	Yes - Students are able to request a programme transfer to another programme and this would be discussed with the individual student, usually by the supervisor.
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
52	The BA in Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance offers you a unique opportunity to study and make theatre in a rich and stimulating environment. The programme focuses on the roles of writer, director and performer. It combines historical and textual exploration with practical experiment, enabling you to analyse key aspects of playwriting, theatre production, acting and directing in our specially designed teaching and performance spaces. We also explore the ways in which theatre draws on film and television. We pair close engagement with contemporary practice with an emphasis on the need to understand longer histories and past achievements that underpin what we do now. The programme provides a rounded learning experience through which you will gain deep theoretical and practical knowledge and skills. The unique combination of these areas is designed to ensure that you will acquire the necessary analytical, creative and practical skills to enable you to work with creativity and flair, whether your future is in professional theatre or in related areas (such as film and television, arts administration, journalism, publishing, education or further study). The programme combines practical work with the contextual analysis of theatre history, trends in contemporary theatre, and studies of particular forms such as political theatre and comedy. The programme is designed to appeal to a wide range of students with different kinds of academic backgrounds, interests and strengths. You will benefit from some of the best-equipped theatre spaces at any UK university, and be taught by leading academics and practitioners. In addition to scheduled classes, you will also benefit from contact with leading theatre-makers via the department’s professional visitor programme and work experience opportunities. These include theatre projects, masterclasses, lectures and workshops exploring a wide range of creative disciplines. Upon completion, you will have acquired a detailed knowledge of the theory and practice of theatre and a broad range of academic and creative skills that are essential for pursuing careers in highly competitive creative industries as well as also being transferable to other fields or future study.
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63	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
64	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
65	Certificate of Higher Education			No				All stage 1 modules
66	Diploma of Higher Education			No				All stage 1 and 2 modules
67	BA (Ord) in Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance			No				All stage 1 and 2 modules, plus and 60 credits in stage 3
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70	Programme Learning Outcomes
71	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
72	1	Interpret how scripts are, and historically have been, translated into a range of performance events by critical evaluation of a range of scripted drama.
73	2	Combine independent research skills, practical exploration and experiment in successfully undertaking ambitious research projects.
74	3	Apply the practical and organisational skills necessary to contribute effectively as writers, directors and performers in realising the production of a successful performance from a challenging script.
75	4	Actively reflect on the experiences of working with visiting and in-house theatre professionals and academic tutors, putting the organisational, practical, and technical skills that they have gained to use in developing their own theatre practice and enhancing their employability for future careers.
76	5	Work creatively and with flair, both independently and within teams, to respond to challenges and to communicate their ideas with clarity and focus to a range of audiences.
77	6	Effectively employ a set of transferable skills (such as presentation, leadership, project management, and research skills) that will allow them to work across a range of media (theatre, television, film, and interactive media) and within a variety of roles.
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79	Diverse entry routes
80	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
81	The programme does not map directly to an area of study that all students will necessarily have completed previously. As such, all discipinary content and conventions are taught from a beginner level. Students will be directed to additional language, academic and writing support as appropriate. Academic integrity is explained within the context of the discipline.
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90	Inclusion
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92	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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94	Employability
95	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
96	The BA in Theatre is in dialogue with professional theatre and the wider creative industries both as part of the degree programme itself and via its dynamic programme of extra-curricular events. Theatre-makers are important contributors to a number of our modules; students engage with performances, lectures, workshops, and seminars by directors, producers, designers, theatre critics, and other active practitioners. Meanwhile, an extra-curricular programme of masterclass workshops, performances, and Q&A sessions ensure students have the opportunity to engage with companies - including, in recent years, York Theatre Royal, Pilot Theatre, Slung Low, The Paper Birds Theatre Company, She Goat, Company of Angels, and the National Railway Museum - as well as guest practitioners such as Simon Stephens, Nick Payne, Penelope Wilton, John Pfumojena, Jenny Topper, Xolani Crabtree and Laura Wade. We have also offered a range of exciting internship opportunities with such companies as the Ambassador Theatre Group and Pilot Theatre. The programme supports student employability by offering skills-based training in a full range of theatre roles but it also develops key employability skills such as skilled group work, independent research, communication, presentation, analysis, argument, project management, budgeting, scheduling, marketing, and working to deadlines.
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