UDTHEFLM - BA Theatre and Film

This course is designed to provide an interdisciplinary path across London Met’s programmes in Theatre & Performance Practices and in Film & Television Studies. Students are able to choose from a wide range of subjects in both programmes, exploring the languages of theatre and film through both practical and theoretical approaches. These approaches include studio-based workshops in theatre making, performance and film production, as well as classroom-based lectures and seminars in theatre and film criticism, cultural theories and script writing.

The learning methods encouraged are experiential as well as analytical and conceptual and are aimed at producing autonomous learners who are confident in the knowledge and understanding they have developed. Additionally, learning approaches include experiences with partnering companies in the professional industry. All modules are delivered with a blended learning focus, integrating the use of theatre and filming facilities (e.g. fully equipped theatre and filming spaces, editing suites), lecture and seminar spaces; they will also have access to faculty IT suites and a wide range of software that will support their personal and educational development.

Connectivity within the university is essential to the degree. The course requires strong and consistent use of the Library and Learning Centre, which has a subject-specific librarian offering workshops and one-to-one assistance with printed and online academic material. The Learning Centre, adjacent to Tower Building, offers private study space as well as academic material. Other study and conversation spaces are available at the Tower Building (location lectures, seminars and tutors’ offices), and students are expected to collaborate with each other regarding seminar topics, group or joint presentations, preparation of peer feedback, and networking (supported by subject staff) across undergraduate study years and disciplines.

• To promote interdisciplinary explorations in the areas of theatre and film, drawing on an extensive range of subjects
• To explore such areas both as distinctive fields and as complementary languages, envisioning innovative approaches in combining the two
• To explore key skills in the practice of theatre and film making, including performing, directing, writing, editing and producing
• To reflect on historical and contemporary practices theatre and film, their cultural relevance and ideological implications
• To explore the potential of theatre and film to engage with social realities, both local and global
• To develop transferable skills and knowledge, applicable to the broader cultural industries

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on systematic understanding of the key aspects of the knowledge base of Theatre and Film, including a coherent and detailed knowledge of some specialist areas in depth.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Theatre and Film;
• devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Theatre and Film;
• describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in Theatre and Film, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;
• manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Theatre and Film);
• apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects;
• critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem;
• communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;
• exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts;
• undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature

Dance, Drama and Performance (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/DDP07.pdf) and Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/Subject-benchmark-Statement-Communication-media-film-and-cultural-studies.aspx)

The BA Theatre & Film utilises a wide range of formative and summative assessment strategies will give students the skills and knowledge to create and deliver theatre/film based cultural activity informed by theoretical awareness. Self-assessment and reflection are key factors in the process of learning and are part of the module’s assessment strategies.

Modes of assessment are integral to the teaching and learning process and vary accordingly. Much of the assessment is based on practical presentations, performances and video projects, students' reflections on their experience and knowledge of performance and film, either as practitioners, as members of audiences or as participants in exercises.

Coursework will ranges across formal essays, portfolios and journals, creative writing, critical-creative activities, reviews, and assessed oral presentations and performances. These different forms of coursework assessment will be used to test a range of knowledge and understanding and take account of the suitability of assessment modes to a process and practically oriented course. In each module the mode of assessment is determined by the nature of the focus, whether practical, technical or theoretical, and based on the material studied and the approaches adopted in the teaching.

Formative assessment will include contribution to seminar and workshop, short exercises in class, presentations and essay plans. These will receive oral and sometimes written feedback during and between class sessions.

Summative assessments include academic essays, reflective logs/journals, set presentations, group work, reviews, and portfolios of critical work.

Assessment strategies will take into account the student’s ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Students have the opportunity at level 5 to undertake a Recognition of Work module, gaining credit for learning gained through prior or concurrent experience in service-learning activities and employment. Work may include volunteering, peer mentoring or peer assistance, service to community activities, work-based learning gained through student employment initiatives in the university, or generic workplace learning such as part-time or vacation employment. The module demonstrably contributes towards the student’s portfolio of employable skills, providing the opportunity for students to demonstrate how they have developed high-level transferrable and career management skills, or how their work has demonstrably contributed towards their engagement with the discipline of Film and Television Studies.

See Course Structurre

Reflective learning and personal development planning are key strategies in this course.

Throughout their study, students will be expected to engage with practice and theory based material and activities and explore the relationship between them. Much of the work is project based in which they will actively construct their learning processes by establishing conceptual frameworks to then develop and continue into theatre and film with guidance and support from tutors. In many modules, project logs and reports form part of the assessment together with self and peer assessment. Students will be encouraged and required through assessment to reflect critically on their own work and that of others through presentation and group critique.

Being regularly engaged with industry professionals throughout their study, students will be expected to work to industry standards

Career guidance and industry contextualisation is embedded throughout the programme. A series of visiting workshops and lectures from leading experts in the industries will be arranged each year. Alumni will return on a regular basis to keep students abreast of their career developments. Much of the course replicates working industry environments that strengthen the careers education element of the course.

Staff maintain strong links with the industry and receive requests/recommendations for the volunteer or ‘junior’ roles in the industry which are the passed on to the students.

Modules in the Creative and Cultural Industries, Business and marketing will afford students the opportunity to learn the skills appropriate to self-management in the arts.

Staff have links with a variety of organisations and institutions that enhance the expertise available to students during the course. Students have access to both external practitioners and academic specialists as guest speakers and to external organisations in the field for work experience. There will be regular visits from industry specialist as part of the enhancement programme.
A significant amount of the work will be delivered by professional industry people leading on projects.

This course focuses on producing versatile theatre and film professionals. Our graduates in both areas have been successful in the following careers: performing, writing, directing, producing, forming production companies, broadcasting, working in education and outreach programmes, working in the broader cultural industries. The course is also an ideal path to continue with postgraduate studies in the arts and culture.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• 280 UCAS points or equivalent

Mature students with previous relevant experience are encouraged to apply.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Students are required to attend an interview workshop as part of the application process. Skype Interviews can be arranged for those living outside of the UK.