Students

CUL 331 – Performance Research

2016 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer
Dr Catherine Fargher
Contact via 98502255
Y3A 261
Lecturer
Dr Julie-Anne Long
Y3A 193
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores approaches to research within the context of art performance practices. As practitioners, how can research inform and help to articulate our creative processes? And what is involved in research and writing about other people's practices, whether live dance and performance, live art, performance for the screen, or sound or new media performance? With a focus on exploring research methodologies and diverse writing practices (e.g. the review, generative artist writing), this unit encourages students to think through ways of combining practice, research, and writing on performance in an interdisciplinary context.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Apply different research methods and knowledges, from participant observation to embodied practice, to describe and critically reflect on events from your own experience.
  • Develop different modes of writing related to writing about the performance event, from field notes to review writing, to analysis within academic writing.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.
  • Participate in group work ethically and effectively.

General Assessment Information

Attendance

You are expected to attend all class contact hours. As participation in the process of learning is linked to and underpins the unit Learning Outcomes, you will need to either apply for Disruption to Studies to cover any missed classes due to illness, misadventure or other disruption (if the disruption is greater than three consecutive days) or supply appropriate documentation to your Unit Convenor for any missed classes (if less than three consecutive days). Consult the Disruption to Studies Policy at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html. Commitments to paid work and study/work for other units do not constitute adequate grounds for absence.

Assessment submission information

All written assignments will be submitted to Turnitin via the CUL331 iLearn site, a similarity detection tool. You must submit written work in 12-point font, double-spaced, left-justified, and paginated. Make sure to include your full name and student number.  See individual assessment tasks for due dates.

Late submission

Tasks 10% or less: No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an application for Disruption to Studies is made and approved.

Tasks above 10%: No extensions will be granted. Students who submit late work will receive a penalty of 10% per day. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Disruption to Studies is made and approved.

Extension Procedure

Requests for an extension should by lodged through ask.mq.edu.au before the due date/time for the assessment task. For further information see the Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html. If you have any questions, please email the Unit Convenor.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Participation field reports 25% Week 2,4,6
Live work report 25% Week 10
Final research portfolio 50% Week 8, 11-12, 13

Participation field reports

Due: Week 2,4,6
Weighting: 25%

You will select 3 live events that can clearly be studied as a form of cultural performance, e.g. a wedding, a football game, a protest, a parade, a gig at your local pub, etc. Using participant-observation methods you will write 3 x 400-word ‘thick descriptions’ and analysis of this event from your fieldwork experience. You may include documentary images, diagrams and other appendices to support your analysis. These will be submitted in week 2, 4 and 6. 

These field reports will be reviewed in several classes. Your contribution to tutorial discussions and activities is an important activity in this unit. You are expected to actively participate and be prepared for each class in the form of providing valuable, critical and thoughtful comments on these reports, class readings, lecture materials, listening and responding to your peers, actively engaging in workshop activities, and working collaboratively with your peers in response to group tasks. 

Assessment criteria:

For the reports: You will be assessed on content, research, critical approach, structure and style.

For the participation: You will be assessed on your level of knowledge and preparedness, your ability to synthesise and reflect on material, and listen and make reasoned contributions/responses.

More detailed information including the assessment rubric for this task will be available on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Apply different research methods and knowledges, from participant observation to embodied practice, to describe and critically reflect on events from your own experience.
  • Develop different modes of writing related to writing about the performance event, from field notes to review writing, to analysis within academic writing.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.
  • Participate in group work ethically and effectively.

Live work report

Due: Week 10
Weighting: 25%

You will write a 1000-word report on a live dance, theatre, music, or new media performance that explores review versus analytical writing modes. You will need to attend a professionally produced event during the semester (suggestions will be posted on iLearn) in preparation for writing this report. Your aim is to critically engage with your chosen performance and the process of audiencing, to analyse the main elements of the performance, and to demonstrate your understanding of different genres of performance writing.

You will be assessed on content, research, critical approach, structure and style.

More detailed information including the assessment rubric for this task will be available on iLearn.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Apply different research methods and knowledges, from participant observation to embodied practice, to describe and critically reflect on events from your own experience.
  • Develop different modes of writing related to writing about the performance event, from field notes to review writing, to analysis within academic writing.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.

Final research portfolio

Due: Week 8, 11-12, 13
Weighting: 50%

Over the course of the semester you will build a portfolio of notes, drawings, diagrams and writing based on different research tasks and methodologies that we encounter in class.

You will also undertake an independent research project in the second half of semester, in which you will identify a clear object of study – a key practice, performance or event that you will investigate utilising methods encountered in the unit.

Your portfolio consists of:

  1. Collected notes and writings from workshop activities (10%)
  2. Research plan for independent project (5%) – due Week 8
  3. Independent research project (35%)

For your independent project, you can choose to present your research in one of the two following ways:

  1. An analytical essay (2000 words; due Week 13; 30%) and short 2-min. presentation of key findings (due Week 11-12; 5%); OR
  2. A creative work (a video, live performance, performance-demonstration; approx. 5 min; due Week 11-12; 15%) and accompanying written analysis that discusses your research process (1000 words; due Week 13; 20%).

You will be assessed on content, research, critical approach, structure and style.

More detailed information including the assessment rubric for this task will be available on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Apply different research methods and knowledges, from participant observation to embodied practice, to describe and critically reflect on events from your own experience.
  • Develop different modes of writing related to writing about the performance event, from field notes to review writing, to analysis within academic writing.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

For lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes and classroom locations. 

Day Time Venue
Tuesday 10am-12pm Y3A 187 (Drama Studio)
Tuesday 2pm-4pm Y3A 187 (Drama Studio)

This unit will begin meeting in Week 1 of the semester.

Technologies Used and Required

This unit utilises iLearn: in addition to weekly readings, communication from teaching staff, lecture materials and assessment information will be regularly posted over the course of the semester. You are expected to check iLearn regularly; the site can be accessed off-campus at http://www.ilearn.mq.edu.au

Unit Readings

There is no Unit Reader for CUL331. A full list of required and recommended readings will be available on iLearn.

Unit Schedule

Week  Activity Teacher
1 - Introduction - discuss course content and assessments Field Studies, ethnography Dr Catherine Fargher
2- Field Studies, Performance ethnography 1st field report to be submitted "
3 - Field Studies, Performance ethnography contd. review and discuss field studies "
4 -Field Studies, Performance ethnography contd. 2nd field report to be submitted  
5- Field Studies, Performance ethnography contd. review and discuss field studies  
6 Field Studies, Performance ethnography contd. 3rd field report to be submitted  
7 Overview of assessments before the break. Review discussions so far.    
BREAK    
8 - Live Work Performance Review Writing   Dr Julie-Anne Long
9 - Live Work Performance Review Writing contd.   "
10 - Live Work Performance Review Writing contd.   "
11 - Final portfolio discussions   Dr Catherine Fargher
12 - Final portfolio discussions   "

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Additional information

MMCCS website

https://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/faculties_and_departments/faculty_of_arts/department_of_media_music_communication_and_cultural_studies/

MMCCS Session Re-mark Application http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/?id=167914

Information is correct at the time of publication 

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Apply different research methods and knowledges, from participant observation to embodied practice, to describe and critically reflect on events from your own experience.
  • Develop different modes of writing related to writing about the performance event, from field notes to review writing, to analysis within academic writing.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation field reports
  • Live work report
  • Final research portfolio

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Develop different modes of writing related to writing about the performance event, from field notes to review writing, to analysis within academic writing.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.
  • Participate in group work ethically and effectively.

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation field reports
  • Live work report
  • Final research portfolio

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Apply different research methods and knowledges, from participant observation to embodied practice, to describe and critically reflect on events from your own experience.
  • Develop different modes of writing related to writing about the performance event, from field notes to review writing, to analysis within academic writing.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation field reports
  • Live work report
  • Final research portfolio

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Apply different research methods and knowledges, from participant observation to embodied practice, to describe and critically reflect on events from your own experience.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation field reports
  • Live work report
  • Final research portfolio

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Apply different research methods and knowledges, from participant observation to embodied practice, to describe and critically reflect on events from your own experience.
  • Develop different modes of writing related to writing about the performance event, from field notes to review writing, to analysis within academic writing.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.
  • Participate in group work ethically and effectively.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation field reports
  • Live work report
  • Final research portfolio

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Apply different research methods and knowledges, from participant observation to embodied practice, to describe and critically reflect on events from your own experience.
  • Develop different modes of writing related to writing about the performance event, from field notes to review writing, to analysis within academic writing.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.
  • Participate in group work ethically and effectively.

Assessment tasks

  • Participation field reports
  • Live work report
  • Final research portfolio

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Evaluate, discuss and analyse materials related to the field of performance studies in relation to wider social, cultural and artistic contexts.
  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.
  • Participate in group work ethically and effectively.

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Actively engage in the processes of learning.
  • Participate in group work ethically and effectively.