BA (Hons) Performing Arts Education | Plymouth Marjon University

Course Overview

If you have a passion for the challenge of performance and want to share this with others, this performing arts degree is for you. The course will help you to understand how to bring out the best in people through participation in dance, drama and music, as well as developing your own performance skills. You’ll learn how to help them to overcome challenges such as vulnerability or lack of confidence, and you’ll provide memorable experiences in which others can discover what they are really capable of. There is a placement in each year of the course with a minimum of 20 hours experience.

More Info

This perforning arts degree is wide ranging. You’ll understand the theory and practice of education and how people best learn, considering social and ethical issues as well as the drama and music curriculum and child development. Through placements you’ll perfect your practical teaching skills in order to prepare you for employment. You’ll explore your love of the arts, perhaps discovering career paths you hadn’t previously considered. You will have the chance to perform yourself in years 1 and 2 and to direct children in a performance in year 3

Why this course at Marjon?

Large theatre venue in which to explore both creative and technical skillsets.
Long history of creating exceptional teachers, blended with innovative and inspirational performing and acting community
Placements (20 hours each year) drawn from our close links with hundreds of schools or performance environments.
Explore a wide range of performance disciplines including drama, music and dance.
Work with practising teachers on your modules, giving you an insight into the realities of the classroom, and take time to practise for your QTS skills tests.

Perfect if you're curious about:

Is talent born or made?
How much should you encourage a disengaged child to engage in the performing arts?
Which is more important in a school play; high quality or participation from everyone?
Why does creativity in children matter? What happens when it is stifled? What happens when it feels forced?
How can performing arts help children learn other subjects?
How could performing arts help in specific environments such as prisons, rehabilitation centres or special education needs schools?

Book an Open Day How to apply for this course

Modules

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1st Year

Learning to learn in Higher Education
A variety of speakers from the educational world will talk with you about what they do in their job. Sometimes these are curriculum topics and you will be joined in the sessions by practising teachers.
Introduction to Education Studies
Each week, you’ll be given a question to explore. This module ties together all the information and provides an opportunity to give answers.
The Language of Music
Discover the elements of music. This module assumes no prior knowledge and helps you to decide on how to teach music to children.
The Roots of Theatre
Explore the different genres of theatre, and then work in groups towards a performance.
Placement
You’ll develop a piece of theatre in education and take your ‘show’ out to schools.
Children’s Literature and Drama in Education
You’ll assess a variety of picture books and design a dramatic performance of one of them to take into school for a literacy festival and character lunch.

2nd Year

Research Methods in Education
In the politically charged area of education, getting facts straight is essential. Here we consider the different methods that we can use to research educational issues. This module leads into a research project in Year 3.
Global Childhoods
Learn about how childhood differs in different places throughout the world.
The Community Centred Actor
Learn how to lead workshops in different locations as well as developing an understanding of different forms of community theatre.
Experiential Placement
You’ll focus on a scripted musical which you’ll rehearse and perform to local schools.
Pedagogical Paradigms
An exploration of the different ideas within education over time.
Music Composition
In this module you’ll look at composing songs and link your work to the musical you are going to perform. You’ll also have opportunities to engage with practitioners at special events in the local area.

3rd Year

Research project
You’ll carry out your own research and present your findings as a paper.
Music and Interdisciplinary Practice
Engage in dance and music and discover how these can work together.
Production
You’ll work with a group of young people to stage a scripted musical theatre production.
Supporting Children and Young People
You’ll learn about various ways you might support children and young people in schools to cope with the pressures of their lives.
Developing a Personal Philosophy of Education
What do you believe about education? How would you articulate this, and how do you ensure it is reflected in your practice in the classroom.

Lecturers

Victoria Brown

Senior Lecturer

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Kevin Johnson

Programme Leader - BA Acting

Kevin is an associate artist for Theatre Royal Plymouth. He was Marjon Lecturer of the Year in 2016, voted for by students who were inspired by his passion, energy and expertise in theatre and tutoring.

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