2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PECI5603M Research Perspectives (Applied Theatre & Intervention)

30 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Dr Ally Walsh
Email: a.m.walsh1@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

This module is one of a suite of interlocking, subject-specific modules designed to replace Research Perspectives PECI 5101M within the School of PCI

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This compulsory module is a programme-specific induction into postgraduate-level research designed for the particular needs of students undertaking the MA Applied Theatre & Intervention. It is one of a suite of parallel PGT modules within the School of Performance and Cultural Industries, offering a similar but programme-inflected experience to all Masters students within the School. Core lectures of generic interest will be shared with MAs from other programmes. But the chief objective of Research Perspectives (Applied theatre & Intervention) is to provide a thorough grounding in a wide range of research methods and methodologies relevant to Applied Theatre as an academic discipline, equipping students to research and analyse their own applied projects as well as apply forms of critical inquiry to existing work within the field. Weekly lectures and seminars focus on topics of key importance to the Applied Theatre student, from project conceptualisation and planning and the framing of research approaches, through to the collection and synthesising of material, ethical considerations, reflective evaluation and critical engagement in current issues and debates. Assessment takes two forms – a critique of an existing piece of research and a Research Project Proposal that identifies and demonstrates the research rationale, research context, methodology, and outcomes.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to enable students to:

Become emergent researcher-practitioners who understand the nature of research within the discipline of Applied Theatre, and appreciate the importance and challenges of undertaking research;
Acquire working skills in research methods appropriate to Applied Theatre & Intervention

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:

Understand the roles and responsibilities of the researcher within Performance and the Cultural Industries
Identify and deploy the principal methods and methodologies of research relevant to Applied Theatre, including practice-based research
Identify ethical issues within the field of Applied Theatre, and know how to apply/implement appropriate measures, including ethical review
Employ a range of data collection, analysis and interpretation methods as applicable to Applied Theatre research
Have a working knowledge of research resources and how to access them

Syllabus

Students develop their perspectives and skills as emergent researcher-practitioners through a series of topic-based lectures, seminars and practical workshops. The first half of the module, preparing students for their first assignment, will include a number of lectures shared with students on other MAs within PCI. These lectures will cover topics of general relevance to Performance and Cultural Industries, and therefore to all postgraduates in the School. In the second half of the module, students will work exclusively within their own programme group, to allow time for focus on subject-specific research methodologies and approaches, in preparation for specialist Research Project proposals.
Generic lecture/seminar topics delivered in the first half of the module will include:

Contrasting forms and models of research in the Performing Arts and Cultural Industries;
The roles and responsibilities of Arts and Humanities research;
Ethical considerations in research;
Resources and data gathering/analysis;
Subject-specific topics delivered throughout the module, but mainly in the second half, will include:
Practice- and desk-based research methodologies and methods within Applied Theatre;
Research sources, methods of collection, interpretation, synthesis;
Praxis as a way of generating new knowledge;
Ethnography and auto-ethnography;
Participatory and action research;
Reflective practitioner methodologies

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	4	1.00	4.00
Practical	1	3.00	3.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Seminar	5	2.00	10.00
Tutorial	2	0.25	1.00
Private study hours			278.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Preparation for lectures and seminars 100 hours
Familiarisation with research resources 20 hours
Preparation for practical workshop 10 hours
Preparation of assignments 148 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students are monitored through performance in seminars and tutorials, and through oral presentation of their project proposal. They are offered detailed oral and written feedback on their first formal assignment, and formative assessment at this stage halfway through the module enhances progress monitoring.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3500-4000 word Project Proposal	60.00
Essay	3000-3500 word Critique	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 14/09/2017

Disclaimer

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