BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. This programme is only offered at: The Urdang Academy

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION: BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre This programme is only offered at: The Urdang Academy Final award BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre Intermediate awards available Cert HE in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre (120 credits) ; Dip HE in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre (240 credits) UCAS code Details of professional body accreditation Relevant QAA Benchmark statements To follow Date specification last up-dated November 2007 The degree was created using the latest Quality Assurance bench-marking criteria for Dance, Drama and Performance as a guide. CONTENTS This programme specification contains the following sections: Page No The summary - UCAS programme profile 2 Aims and learning outcomes 6 The programme structure 7 Teaching, learning and assessment strategies 10 How we assure the quality and standard of this programme 11 Where you can find further information 12 Alternative locations for studying this programme Not applicable. 1

2 The summary - UCAS programme profile BANNER BOX: BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre is a high calibre vocational course which equips students for a career in the entertainment industry. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Entry to the course is by audition and the production of evidence that the applicant either has or is predicted A level or equivalent qualification to reach 165 UCAS Tariff points and C and above in GCSE English. For information on how the UCAS Tariff points are calculated please go to information tariff calculator. The Academy looks for candidates with talent, ambition and individuality who are committed and hardworking. From this base we will develop and nurture potential and prepare students for a career in the entertainment industry. Three A-levels at grades A E or equivalent: this could include BTEC, GNVQ, the IB or other European and world-wide post-16 education. There is no requirement for students to have passed dance or drama examinations. Overseas students are required to pass the IELTS (International English Language) at 6.5 or the TOEFL equivalent. ABOUT THE PROGRAMME BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to: Study at the highest standard in order to equip students to enter the profession. Equip students with wide range of academic knowledge of dance and Musical Theatre history and profession. Lay strong foundations to possible future growth and employment beyond the retirement age of the performer into teaching, research and other related activities. Attract a high calibre of student at entry and enable a wider scope for student destination. Continue to widen access routes thus enabling a wider demographic. Programme not offered by any other college. No linked programmes at present 2

3 Programme structure The BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre is full time, closely structured programme delivered over 3 years. Learning environment Teaching will be by workshop, lecture, seminar and autonomous learning. Urdang Academy is situated at the heart of Islington. Urdang students have many and varied careers on the stage, in film and on television, in West End and Broadway Shows, in national and touring shows, in pantomime, on cruise ships and in ballet companies, in contemporary dance companies, in dance in education and community dance. They are also choreographers, dance captains, in pop videos and pop band tours. Graduates also act, work in cabaret, as teachers, in stage management and as theatrical agents. Urdang are currently associated with the following professional bodies: Trinity College London for London, Council for Dance Education and Training, the ISTD Centre, Dance UK, the Learning and Skills Council, Islington Council, Open House Festival, Arts Council of England, English Heritage, Islington Primary Health Care Trust, the Anwell Society, the Islington Society, CandoCo, Londondance.com, Spotlight and the British Performing Arts Year Book. All members of the teaching faculty at the college have performed professionally are all experienced teachers. Urdang Academy has always nurtured strong links with practicing professionals, which not only keeps the training in line with the current requirements of West End directors and choreographers, but also provides a professional approach to the core curriculum which results in producing a rounded performer with a thorough understanding of the profession they enter. Assessment There is a broad range of coursework and examination, running each year towards greater autonomous learning and team work. All components are tested. With Urdang s contacts in the industry work experience/placement opportunities are possible in the future once the degree is running. Project work There is project work within choreography, the dissertation and the final year performances. The dissertation is double weighted as is the Performance module. Added value There is direct employer and agent contact through the programme and up to date career advice to equip the student for a life both on the stage and for employment afterwards. 3

4 IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME? If you are interested in... Dance Singing Acting Musical Theatre Full Performance Techniques Choreography Full knowledge of history and theory of Musical Theatre If you enjoy... Working in groups Independent learning and development Learning the full range of performer techniques Being equipped for employment on the West End Stage If you want... The full learning experience with industry professional teachers Inspiring and creative classes Opportunity to expand your range of talents in dance and musical theatre Confidence in your academic abilities Skills to support personal and professional development throughout your life Your future career Urdang continues to produce excellent performers and some have and are currently appearing in West End shows such as: The Lion King, Hairspray, Daddy Cool, Mamma Mia, Fame, We Will Rock You, Miss Saigon, Phantom Of The Opera, Starlight Express, Avenue Q, Grease, My Fair Lady and Saturday Night Fever, as well as Chicago on Broadway. Other students appear in pantomimes or international productions or Dance companies such as Tag, Matthew Bourne and The Spirit of The Dance. Our students have many and varied careers on the stage, in film and on television, in West End and Broadway Shows, in national and touring shows, in pantomime, on cruise ships and in ballet companies, in contemporary dance companies, in dance in education and community dance. They are also choreographers, dance captains, in pop videos and pop band tours. Graduates also act, work in cabaret, as teachers, in stage management and as theatrical agents. Other students take their skills into new areas such as physiotherapy. 4

5 How we support you Urdang Academy offers two forms of personal tutoring, pastoral and academic. The Principal has ultimate responsibility for pastoral care within the school. If you have personal problems of a private nature either to do with you health, financial circumstances or family you are entitled to see either the University s Pastoral Care tutors or our own internal tutor. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence and all information will be available to the student through the Data Protection Act. Students who require further help with an emotional or physical issue are referred to relevant qualified specialists, The Academy has contact with a range of specialist agencies involved with the care and welfare of young people. Urdang Academy does not offer student accommodation though can provide students with information on hostels within a suitable distance from college. To access information on UEL accommodation services visit Students are assigned an Academic Tutor to help them throughout their study. Bonus factors You will work with and learn from seasoned professionals in the performing arts industry within a state of the art studio centred college. Urdang has a long history of close links with the major theatrical employers whose demands require the highest standards in vocational training. These include Cameron Macintosh Ltd, The Really Useful Company, Jill Green Casting, David Grindrod Associates, Adventures in Motion Pictures, the Disney Corporation and Sadlers Wells. 5

6 Programme aims and learning outcomes What is this programme designed to achieve? This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to: Gain practical skills in dance, singing, acting and musical theatre performance Participate in a range of dance and musical theatre productions for public performance Develop your performance skills to professional level Gain understanding of the cultural and historical developments in dance and musical theatre Understand the role and functions of professional dance and musical theatre Understand the leading theories and principal techniques within professional dance and musical theatre Gain choreographic skills and implement them in your own choreography Complete independent research projects in dance and musical theatre Network with professional dance and musical theatre artists and organizations What will you learn? Knowledge and understanding In-depth knowledge and understanding of dance and musical theatre performance through building practical technical skills Understanding of the historical and cultural developments in dance and musical theatre Detailed knowledge of choreographic devices and structures Thinking skills Creative approaches to dance and musical theatre choreography through a range of styles Critical reflection skills through self, peer and group evaluation Subject-Based Practical Skills Professional level skills in singing, acting and a range of dance styles Professional level skills in theatre performance Skills for life and work Intellectual curiosity and the potential for continuing artistic and professional development The ability to work independently and in combination with other theatre art forms. Skills in leadership, negotiation, listening, critical self awareness, teamwork, organization of self and others, decision making and creativity 6

7 The programme structure Introduction All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed. One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study). Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels: 0 equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme 1 equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme 2 equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme 3 equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme M equivalent in standard to a Masters degree Credit rating The overall credit-rating of this programme is 360 credits. Typical duration The expected duration of this programme is 3 years when attended in full-time mode. How the teaching year is divided The teaching year begins in September and ends in May. A student, normally registering for 6 modules in one year (3 modules in each Semester) would do so in a full-time attendance mode of study. What you will study when This programme is part of a modular degree scheme. A student registered in a full-time attendance mode will take six 20 credit modules per year (or equivalent). An honours degree student will complete six modules at level one, six at level 2 and six at level 3 (or equivalent). Single 120 credits at levels one, two and three Modules are defined as Core (must be taken) 7

8 SKILLS LEVEL TITLE SKILLS MODULES* CREDITS STATUS SINGLE 1 Dance 1 40 Core 1 Musical Theatre 1 40 Core 1 Contextual and Critical Studies 1 YES 20 Core 1 Contextual and Critical Studies 2 20 Core 2 Dance 2 40 Core 2 Musical Theatre 2 40 Core 2 Contextual and Critical Studies 3 20 Core 2 Contextual and Critical Studies 4 YES 20 Core 3 Specialised Dance 20 Core 3 Musical Theatre 3 20 Core 3 Contextual and Critical Studies 5 40 Core 3 Performance YES 40 Core 8

9 Requirements for gaining an award In order to gain an honours degree you will need to obtain 360 credits including: A minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher A minimum of 120 credits at level two or higher A minimum of 120 credits at level three or higher In order to gain a Diploma of Higher Education you will need to obtain at least 240 credits including a minimum of 120 credits at level one or higher and 120 credits at level two or higher In order to gain a Certificate of Higher Education you will need to obtain 120 credits at level one or higher Degree Classification Where a student is eligible for an Honours degree, and has gained a minimum of 240 UEL credits at level 2 or level 3 on the programme, including a minimum of 120 UEL credits at level 3, the award classification is determined by calculating: The arithmetic mean of the best 100 credits at level 3 x 2/3 + The arithmetic mean of the next best 100 credits at levels 2 and/or 3 x 1/3 and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification 70% - 100% First Class Honours 60% - 69% Second Class Honours, First Division 50% - 59% Second Class Honours, Second Division 40% - 49% Third Class Honours 0% - 39% Not passed 9

10 Teaching, learning and assessment Teaching and learning Knowledge is developed through Lectures Seminars Independent research Thinking skills are developed through Autonomous learning Tutorials Research Practical skills are developed through Continuous workshop practice Choreography Performance production Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through Working in teams Writing skills Assessment List here the assessment methods that you use. Once again, in order to demonstrate that all learning outcomes are assessed, it might be helpful if you use one of the approaches suggested above e.g.. Knowledge is assessed by Examination Presentation Coursework Thinking skills are assessed by Coursework Examination Independent Research Practical skills are assessed by Tests Examination Audition and Performance Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by Presentation Team work Independent thinking and action 10

11 How we assure the quality of this programme Before this programme started Before this programme started, the following was checked: there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme; adequate resources would be in place; the overall aims and objectives were appropriate; the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements; the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements; the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms. This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions. How we monitor the quality of this programme The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating: external examiner reports (considering quality and standards); statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate); student feedback. Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the Quality and Standards Committee. Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed. The role of the programme committee This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the quality assurance procedures. The role of external examiners The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities: 11

12 To ensure the standard of the programme; To ensure that justice is done to individual students. External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including: Approving exam papers/assignments; Attending assessment boards; Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks; Ensuring that regulations are followed; Providing feedback through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future. Listening to the views of students The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme: Module evaluations Student representation on programme committees (meeting 6 times year) Student/Staff consultative committee (meeting 3 times a year Students are notified of the action taken through: circulating the minutes of the programme committee a newsletter published three times a year providing details on the programme noticeboard Listening to the views of others The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties: Annual student satisfaction questionnaire Questionnaires to former students Where you can find further information Further information about this programme is available from: The UEL web site ( The programme handbook to be confirmed Module study guides to be confirmed UEL Manual of General Regulations and Policies UEL Quality Manual Regulations for the Academic Framework UEL Guide to Undergraduate Programmes School web pages 12