THS4002 Methodologies of Performance Analysis

THS	4002	62596	1, 2007	ONC	Methodologies of Performance Analysis	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOART
Academic org:	FOA005
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	100103

Staffing
Requisites
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Other requirements
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Janet McDonald
Moderator: Darryl Chalk

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BAHN or BTAH

SYNOPSIS

This course will introduce students to research methodology, as well as data collection and analytical methods that they might use to help construct their Honours research projects. It will also examine the nature of performance and how it is analysed in theatre research.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will have achieved:

an advanced understanding of a range of methodological tools (qualitative) used in the analysis of theatrical performance process and theatrical practice;
consideration of ethical issues in drama/theatre research;
use of qualitative data gathering and data storage methods for accessing information and developing data about performance;
the development of a research topic for Honours dissertation.

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Constructing Honours Research topic	20.00
2.	Qualitative research and methodology	20.00
3.	Writing detailed/authentic field notes and interview transcriptions	20.00
4.	Ethical issues in drama/theatre research	20.00
5.	Performance analysis techniques and theories; viewing performance	20.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Relevant articles and theoretical readings will be provided in class.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Aston, E and Savona, G 1991, Theatre as sign-system: a semiotics of text and performance, Routledge, New York, London.

Carlson, M 1996, Performance: a critical introduction, Routledge, New York, London.

Carlson, M 1993, Theories of the theatre: a historical and critical survey from Greeks to the present, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY.
(Expanded edition.)

Glesne, C 1999, Becoming qualitative researchers: an introduction, 2nd edn, Longman, New York.

Reinelt, J and Roach, JK (eds) 1992, Critical theory and performance, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.

Stern, CS and Henderson, B 1993, Performance texts and contexts, Longman, New York, London.

Taylor, P (ed) 1996, Researching drama and arts education: paradigms and possibilities, Falmer Press, Washington, DC.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Private Study	137.00
Seminars	28.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
LITERATURE REVIEW	40.00	40.00	05 Mar 2007	(see note 1)
HONS. DISSERTATION REVIEW	20.00	20.00	05 Mar 2007	(see note 2)
ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE	40.00	40.00	05 Mar 2007	(see note 3)

NOTES

1.: Further details and changes to due dates for assessment will be advised on the first day of class. Assessment may be subject to change in acccordance with available projects. This assignment is aligned with Objectives 1 and 4.
2.: This assignment is aligned with Objectives 1 and 2.
3.: This assignment is aligned with Objectives 1, 2 and 3.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. For this course, normal class attendance consists of one 3 hour lecture and assigned production duties, rehearsals or public productions.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course. Students will be allowed to resubmit a failed first assessment item for reassessment. If a student is permitted to resubmit a failed assignment, normally the only passing grade or mark allowable for the resubmitted assignment will be C- or 50% (as appropriate).
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no exam for this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9.	(a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must lodge the assignment at the USQ. (b) All Faculty of Arts assignments must be lodged in the Faculty Assessment Centre on the Ground Floor of Q Block no later than 12 noon on the due date. (c) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience. (d). Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if requested by the Examiner. (e) In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances such as documented ill-health. (f) Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of the course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete-Makeup). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study. (g) Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or sit for an examination at the scheduled time, may apply to defer an assessment in the course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
10.	Students are strongly advised to maintain regular contact with their supervisor.
11.	Since it is a requirement of the course that all items of assessment must be submitted any assignments which are beyond the 5 working day limit will not receive a mark, but must be of an acceptable standard. The assignments must be submitted by the end of the semester assessment period.
12.	It is imperative that Dissertation/Project students check with their supervisor(s) whether they need to obtain ethics clearance for their Dissertation/Project.
13.	Students can expect that questions in assessment items in this course may draw upon knowledge and skills that they can reasonably be expected to have acquired before enrolling in the course. This includes knowledge contained in pre-requisite courses and appropriate communication, information literacy, analytical, critical thinking, problem solving or numeracy skills. Studens who do not possess such knowledge and skills should not expect to achieve the same grades as those students who do possess them.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

In view of the Objectives and the development of skills that they entail, students are strongly advised to attend all classes. Failure to do so may result in an eventual Fail grade as it may prove impossible to complete the assessment tasks central to this course. Depending upon the reasons for inadequate performance of assessment tasks, additional make-up work may be set if students are able to substantiate frequent absences or absences of more than two consecutive classes via a medical certificate.

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.