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Theatre Arts In Education

Course Description

The Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) states that “Theatre Arts is the cente of the cultural expression of the Caribbean people.  Theatre Arts tends to reflect life and contributes uniquely to the spiritual, intellectual, social and aesthetic growth of an individual”.  Theatre Arts provides an important means of understanding, constructing, appreciating and communicating social and cultural values.  It also interprets values and transmits the traditions of the past and explains, celebrates and challenges the present and the future.

The introduction of Theatre Arts in the CXC programme has resulted in an increase for qualified practitioners in the field.  The objective of the programme is to give teachers the necessary tools to become more confident in handling the subject. It will also equip educators to write tools for immediate use in the classroom, create an avenue for vocational pursuits and invigorate a lethargic Theatre Arts scene. 

         
Target Group

The programme is for Educators especially teachers of Theatre Arts, English Literature and English Language.   

 

Module 1     Creating a Context for Theatre Arts Instruction-

The Caribbean is a crossroads for intersecting culture, and its theatre is the product of those influences coming together.  In order to understand this, it is necessary to examine world theatre in relation to Anglo-Caribbean consciousness, especially during the 1930’s to 1950’s.

This module traces the origin of world theatre/drama as well as the forms which were created in the Anglo Caribbean as the cultures merged.  Special attention will be given to the cultural forms identified by the CXC syllabus.

 

Units covered

·         The context of World Theatre

·         Introduction to Drama/Theatre Theory

·         Theatre in the Caribbean Context

·         Introduction to Cultural Forms

 

Module 2     Understanding Performance

Performance is central to the Theatre.  Most performance theories aim to communicate with a society through a code system identifiable to its time period and culture.  This system is shared through the development of the performer’s body, use of stage and the spectacle element of drama.  In this module the theories of dramatists such as Aristile, Konstantin Stanislavky, Richard Schechner, Errol Hill and Augusto Boal will be examined.

 

Units covered

 

·         Performance Theories

·         Developing the performer‘s voice

·         Developing the performer’s body

·         Critiquing performance

·         Games and Exercises in Theatre Arts Education with a start to developing and improvisation skills.


Module 3   Methodology of Theatre Arts Instruction

Designed for application in the classroom, this course equips the teacher with valuable teaching and assessment tools, a framework for lesson planning and understanding of the demands of the CXC Theatre Arts syllabus.  It is in this module that the student will complete, with the guidance of facilitators, a theatre unit in their actual classroom.

 

Units covered

·         How children learn

·         Theatre teaching aids and assessments tools

·         How to approach or develop a script

·         Examining the CXC and other Caribbean Theatre syllabi, including an actual lesson being taught by eachteacher.

 

Method of Assessment:

Each Module will be assessed through oral presentation, performance exam, critique and participation.

Duration:

One Year

Course Fees:

Fees are payable at CIBC First Caribbean International Bank A/c #1873632 prior to the start date of each module.

Venue

Classes are held at:

The UWI Open Campus

Morne Fortune

Castries