Module: DAN6004-20 Professional Practice Dance Performance

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Sarah Alexander

Module Tutor Contact Details s.alexander@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module is designed to assist you in making a successful transition from the university to the workplace or further study. The focus is on you gaining knowledge and experience of potential career routes and being able to develop into a successful and enterprising individual within your chosen field. Your continuing, progressive technical training will be an important part of your preparation and transition into the professional workplace.

Identification of key strategies of teaching and delivering dance classes will be incorporated into the classwork. Equally, your identification of transferable skills, within and beyond the discipline of dance, will be considered in the light of future employment opportunities and challenges. Research, investigation, organization, communication and self-promotion are some of the key elements of this module.

2. Outline syllabus

Through an extensive lecture series of visiting practitioners, you will gain an overview of potential employment routes on graduation. You will be expected to undertake a work placement and simultaneously prepare for your future through the construction of a professional development presentation. Throughout the module you will be required to consider and develop your individual career goals through reflection, self analysis and career planning. This will include building the skills necessary to promote yourself creatively within your chosen field. We encourage an environment of exchange of knowledge and skills, from one learning situation to another, be it between modules or between the workplace and the university, so that you start to perceive yourself as a professional in preparation for the realities of the workplace.

Your technical training will address and reflect on current expectations of dancers and performance practitioners in the professional environment. While building on your stylistic and technical ability, the presentation of you as an individual in auditions, interviews and other employment related scenarios will be included in this module.

3. Teaching and learning activities:

The programme of lectures, seminars, presentations, and practical workshops will offer an overview of the possible work routes available for you, and a range of issues relating to the dance related workplace. The technique element will be taught through regular practical classes, and here you will have regular feedback to help develop your individual reflection and evaluation.

You will also be expected, as part of self-directed learning, to undertake a work placement. Professional Development Planning reviews will be an opportunity for you to receive feedback on your progress.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Practical Assessment (equivalent of 2000 words)

• % Weighting: 40

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Presentation (equivalent of 3000 words)

• % Weighting: 60