AMSC41414 Theory and methods 2 - Concepts (Autumn 2017)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Mandatory course in the Master's Programme in Scenography.

Prerequisites

The student must have passed the course Theory and Methods 1.

Lecture Semester

2nd semester.

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

The student

• has increased his or her knowledge of the theory and history of architecture, the theatre and visual art and can utilise it in his or her own textual and artistic production.
• can analyse, reflect on and understand how art reflects society and how scenography and spatial art contribute to society.
• is familiar with the principles for the content, composition / structuring and form of texts, for example in academic articles and applications, and can apply them.
• can critically assess, reflect on and present his or her own artistic work, and assess and place his/her own methods of project development within different contexts.
• is familiar with the connection between theory and practice and can find relevant references for different artistic tasks.
• can formulate funding applications for complex artistic projects.

Content

T&M 2 Concepts consists of 1) a series of lectures and tutorials, 2) a course in artistic research and the formulation of concepts as an artist, 3) group work on an internal seminar on conception.

In T&M 2, students will attain the learning outcome by increasing their theoretical knowledge about conception and developing artistic research skills, and each student shall communicate and reflect on the concept and artistic core of their master's thesis, or, alternatively, a topic closely related to the master's thesis, at an internal group seminar.  Organising and giving a presentation at the group seminar are coursework requirements.

In Theory and Methods 2, the student group will curate and organise an internal seminar under the supervision of a subject teacher. The topics at the seminar must be related to problems the students find relevant in relation to their Master's Production. The students shall also explore prevailing tendencies that are relevant to their professional specialisations and particularly in relation to their own work methods. The students must present their specialisation areas, assess their work methods and discuss them with the other students and the teaching staff. The students will thereby develop their ability to reflect on, formulate and give presentations orally and in writing and using two and three-dimensional material about their own and others' artistic work and methods.

Theory and Methods 2 builds on Theory and Methods 1, and it aims to develop in-depth skills, knowledge and expertise by increasing students' understanding of theoretical and practical scenographic and spatial concepts, placing their artistic thinking and ideas development in the context of the subject area, and increasing their understanding of place of art in society. The course is based on teaching relevant theory and history.  The course will deal in particular with structural and dramaturgical questions relating to scenography and architecture.

Students submit a portfolio containing documentation of their work and reflections on their attainment of the learning outcomes, and a revision of their Master's Production seen in relation to the course.

Forms of teaching and learning

The work methods will consist of independent work, tuition, lectures and discussions, viewing performances and exhibitions of performing arts and investigations of other architectural and artistic spaces.

At a student-led group seminar, oral and written work by each student will be presented and seen in relation to relevant issues raised by their Master's Productions. Planning, organising and holding a seminar with relevance to issues raised by the students' Master's Productions is intended to increase their individual repertoire of theoretical and artistic development methods, and their independence and ability to cooperate across problems and across artistic forms of expression.

Practical training/internship

None.

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

• Participation in the development, organisation and holding of an internal group seminar, and giving a presentation at the seminar.

• Submission of portfolio documentation no later than three weeks prior to the course assessment. The portfolio must contain a reflective text with references, images, models etc. The development and progress of the student's Master's Production must be documented and reflected on in the context of the topics taught in the course. The student shall also reflect on his or her own attainment of the defined learning outcome for the course.

The required coursework must be approved by the subject teacher before the student can put him or herself forward for course assessment.

Examination

Oral exam
The assessment of the student's attainment of the learning outcome for the course is carried out at the end of the semester, following a structured discussion between the student, the student's supervisor and one subject teacher who is a member of staff, based on the material in the portfolio documentation submitted by the student for Theory and Methods 2 and the student's participation in the internal group seminar.

Permitted aids: Portfolio documentation.

Oral feedback is given.

The grades Pass / Fail are used.

Course evaluation

In order to assure and develop the quality of the programme and the individual courses, anonymous surveys are carried out every semester. The academy's management evaluates the programme of study and the individual courses every semester on the basis of the anonymous student evaluations and an open dialogue with students and teachers during the semester.

Literature

References to relevant literature, video material, websites, theatrical productions and exhibitions, art catalogues, films, music, art and theatre criticism in the media and other relevant references are provided by the Programme Coordinator and the subject teachers.

An individual syllabus is drawn up in the first semester that is relevant to the work on the student's master's project and critical reflection. It is based on  the general literature list for the programme. The individual syllabus is developed further during the course of the programme until submission of the Master's Critical Reflection in the fourth semester.