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2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PECI2712 Somatic Practices in the 20th and 21st Century

20 creditsClass Size: 16

Module manager: Dr Maria Kapsali
Email: M.Kapsali@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module offers students an opportunity to explore somatic practices in both theory and practice.Students will learn about the different ways in which these practices are utilised in contemporary performance making by national and international artists. They will also be encouraged to consider the way in which cultural and social assumptions underpin the pedagogy of these as well as their use within performance making.The module will also give the opportunity to the students to use somatic practices in generating their own creative material and work with peers in a group process.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
• explore the historical and cultural contexts in which somatic practices emerged and operate;
• practically engage with key exercises and pedagogical concepts of somatic practices;
• familiarize themselves with the ways in which somatic practices have informed actor training and performance making;
• collaborate with others in studio-based practical work, including taught sessions, workshop sessions, self-directed group work and/or rehearsals;
• apply models of critical reflection and the appropriate use of discipline specific critical vocabulary and modes of documentation.

Learning outcomes
Knowledge of:
• the historical, cultural and ideological underpinnings of somatic practices;
• practical exercises and key aspects of somatic pedagogy;
• ways of incorporating elements of somatic practice in theatre making;
• methods of documentation and critical analysis.

Skills outcomes
This module will:
Develop subject knowledge through enhanced critical appreciation and practical experience of somatic practices;
Familiarise the students with a range of theoretical and practical methods through which the use of body in performance and the arts can be approached;
Utilise different formats of learning as well as peer collaboration such as pair work and group work;
Enhance the use of individual reflection as part of a process of on-going experiential learning.

Syllabus

Yoga, Somatics and Performance is delivered through a combination of lectures, practical workshops, self-directed and private study time.

Indicative Content
The module will review the pedagogies, histories and ideologies that underpin popular somatic practices, such as yoga, Alexander Technique, and Feldenkrais, and the way these regimes have influenced the work of key theatre and performance practitioners, such as P. Brook, A. Mnouchkine, J. Grotowski. The module will enable the students to practically explore specific exercises from a range of somatic disciplines and apply them towards the development of artistic material, including material for performance.

Each week the students will practically explore a specific exercise or sets thereof, and then experiment with different ways in using these exercises in different creative contexts, for example the combination of yoga exercises and creative writing; aspects of Alexander Technique and character creation etc. The module aims to both expose students to the historical and cultural developments that led to the emergence and popularity of somatic practices in the public domain and allow them to gain a sense of wider discourses around well-being and self-development. It also intends to familiarise them with the way these disciplines have been employed by theatre makers and artists in the performing arts. Students will also engage with different formats of documentation, such as log keeping, and video documentation.

The module is envisaged as a continuation to Making Dance Theatre Module (Level 1) and a complement/alternative to Performer Training Module in the 20th and 21st C (Level 2).

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	3.00	3.00
Group learning	10	3.00	30.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Practical	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			137.00
Total Contact hours			63.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

This will include the study of relevant literature, the viewing of archival and video material, as well as practical engagement with some of the exercises, in addition to self-directed time.
Self-Directed Session: 3hours x 11: 33
Engagement with literature and preparation for written coursework: 50 hours
Engagement with archival material and preparation for practical coursework: 54

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

• Participation in and contribution to weekly practical sessions.
• Monitoring of weekly tasks and exercises.
• Formative practical assessment with verbal feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical	Group Studio Presentation	60.00
Essay	3,000-3,500 words	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Alternative assessment is set according to individual circumstances and approved by Exams Tutor and Pro-Dean for Student Education

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 02/05/2023

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