Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama)
2019 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2019 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) |
| Course Map | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2019. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2019. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser. |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Cloud Campus | No |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Deakin course code | A357 |
| Approval status | This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7. |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Fees and charges
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Other learning experiences
Course overview
Want to be a part of the next generation of innovative performers and theatre makers? Deakin's Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) will help you master your craft, create new stories and forge your own unique path as a creative in the industry. Led by performance experts with years of industry experience, you’ll explore techniques in acting, improvisation, voice and devising, as well as digital theatre crafts to work in theatre, film or television.
Want to launch your career in the performing arts and entertainment industries?
Through a dynamic combination of acting theory and practice, you'll gain a thorough understanding of the arts and be inspired to create new forms of art.
Through this course, you’ll produce public performances at a professional standard, and explore important aspects of the theatre including:
- acting theory and practice
- different performance styles and processes
- site-based and community theatre
- text studies
- theatre history.
You’ll have the chance to work on individual and group creative projects to develop your skills in ensemble creation and production management and participate in public performances. Plus, you can gain exposure to international theatre techniques by taking an overseas study tour or internship.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have the foundations to work across the arts and entertainment industries in anything from live theatre, film and television to drama education, performance companies and community theatre.
Career opportunities
Drama graduates are equipped to launch careers as independent theatre makers and pursue roles throughout the arts and entertainment industries. Career opportunities include:
- actor
- theatre director
- art centre manager
- festival manager
- drama educator
- community theatre practitioner
- production manager
- presenter.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Transition to University study
The faculty offers two units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and AIX117 Professional Writing for Work which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units as electives in their first year.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop practical and theoretical skills in contemporary theatre and drama through kinaesthetic knowledge of performance techniques with reference to body, voice and text; knowledge of theatre history and performance theory; performance experience in a variety of theatrical and extra theatrical contexts; performance-making principles and practices; historical, cultural and theoretical knowledge as it relates to the field of contemporary theatre and drama. |
| Communication | Using interpersonal, physical, oral and written means to communicate, foster and present dramatic skills development, theatrical creation, theoretical engagement and performance suited to a range of audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Employ a range of skills in digital literacies to source, analyse, and disseminate information. |
| Critical thinking | Research, practice and interrogate performance skills and concepts, analyse theatrical and dramatic problems leading to the creation of performance works in a variety of genres, critically and reflectively engage with written discourse in the field of theatre and drama. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate the ability to analyse and evaluate information to determine the appropriate strategy and method to communicate ideas and concepts in contemporary theatre and drama practice. Produce original creative work in a variety of performance genres and diverse social and cultural contexts. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate initiative and autonomy in planning, decision-making and problem solving in relation to workshop, rehearsal and performance expectations. |
| Teamwork | Work collaboratively with others in dance, from different disciplines and different backgrounds to complete theatre and drama projects. |
| Global citizenship | Recognise and reflect on social, cultural and ethical issues as they apply to theatre, drama and performance, and apply local and international perspectives to its practice. |
| Approved by Faculty Board October 2015 | |
Course rules
Students must complete 24 credit points comprising of:
- 18 x credit points of core units
- 6 x credit points of open electives
- no more than 12 credit points at level 1
- at least 4 credit points at level 3
- AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
Course structure
Course structure
Course structure
Level 1
| ACA101 | Art and Performance: Roles of the Artist |
| ACA100 | Art and Performance: New Directions for Creative Practice |
| ACP109 | Improvisation: Principles in Action |
| ACP110 | Performance Laboratory |
| ACP103 | Foundations of Acting and Performance |
Course structure
Course Electives
Complete two 1-credit point units chosen from the following list:
| ALW101 | Writer's Toolkit: Craft and Creativity |
| ACF103 | Writing with the Camera |
| ACV101 | Contemporary Art Practice: Body |
| ACI102 | Digital Photography |
ACD110 Dance Improvisation and Body Awareness [No longer available for enrolment]
| AGS101 | Sex and Gender: Ideas That Changed the World |
| IND101 | Introduction to Aboriginal Studies |
Complete four 1-credit point units chosen from the following list:
| ACP206 | Adaptation and Solo Performance |
| ACP205 | Performance, Image, Site |
| ALW227 | Scriptwriting: Character, Event, Consequence |
| ACA202 | Acting and Directing for Screen |
| ACA201 | Production Design for Screen and Performance |
| ACA203 | The Art and Design of Sound |
| IND201 | Aboriginal Knowledges and Experiences: Historical Journeys-Contemporary Perspectives |
| ACP323 | Out of the Box: Theatre in Alternative Contexts |
| ACC317 | Communication and Creative Arts Internship A |
Complete six electives, of which at least three must be 2nd or 3rd level
We suggest students complete at least 4 units in a subject area different to their degree, preferably a linked sequence of study in the same area. This choice can include units from any degree in the University but is best chosen from the subject areas in the Bachelor of Arts (https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/bachelor-arts). We recommend students complete at least two more course elective units listed above or select from the following recommended units:
| ACC317 | Communication and Creative Arts Internship A |
| ACC318 | Communication and Creative Arts Internship B |
| ALL375 | Shakespeare: Six Plays, Six Worlds |
| ALW227 | Scriptwriting: Character, Event, Consequence |
Course structure
Level 2
| ACP207 | Practical Approaches to Dramatic Text |
| ACP210 | Performance Laboratory (B): Performance Composition |
| ACP281 | Page to Stage: Major Performance Project |
Course structure
Level 3
| ACP324 | Ensemble Performance: Dramaturgy and Devising (A) |
| ACP326 | Ensemble Performance: Dramaturgy and Devising (B) |
| ACP378 | Out of the Ether: Devised Theatre (2 credit points) |
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Other Course Information
Assessment
Assessment within the award of Bachelor of Creative Arts varies from written assignments and/or examination to practical and technical exercises and performance. In some units assessment may also include class participation, online exercises, seminar exercises and tests.
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Other learning experiences
There are opportunities throughout the course for students to engage with real briefs, real sites of professional performance, and industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students create and craft projects for external clients (such as in the partnership with the Victorian Arts Centre in ACP 205 or with communities in ACP 323) in order to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices. Students also have to option to enrol in international study tours.