Drama and English

Course Content (including module information)

Please note: Queen's is not a vocational drama institution, but practice is a key element of our Drama programme.

Level 1

Beginning at Level 1, workshops and performances enable students to draw upon their reading of literary, cultural, historical and sociological studies to inform their practical understanding of performance.

Levels 2 and 3

At Level 2, students enrolled on Single Honours pathways have the opportunity to undertake a variety of production roles before embarking on their own independent projects at Level 3. In the past, students have designed sets, costume and lighting, directed and acted in a variety of projects ranging from classical theatre to contemporary work of all types, and have performed in our theatre, outdoors and in site-specific contexts. Assessment is by performance, presentation, exams and written coursework.

Assessment (general): The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general): As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
• Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the Drama and English degree programme we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).

• Practicals: where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. You will be expected to attend weekly practical workshops for the Drama modules DRA1003 and DRA1004.

• E-Learning technologies: Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.

• Seminars/tutorials: Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

• Self-directed study: This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

• Work placements: Students have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in Year 3 of the Drama course. This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity.

• Professionally directed theatre production: In Year 2 of the Drama course students are able to participate either as actors or in a production role in a professionally directed theatre production.

• Supervised projects: In final year, you may choose a year-long double-weighted Dissertation module in either Drama and/or English (literature or language) which requires you to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic that you have chosen. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you on at least 2 occasions during the write up stage.

• Personal Tutor: Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

• Study Abroad: Both Drama and English have Erasmus links with a number of universities in Europe, including Denmark, France, Germany, Holland and Spain. Students may avail of the Study America programme, which enables them to spend a year at a university in the United States, as well as established links with universities in Canada and Australia.