Download For the Attention of English department UGSC

For the Attention of English department UGSC
Proposed change to first year of English and Theatre Studies degree
It has been proposed by those responsible in the English and Theatre Studies
departments that the first year of the English and Theatre Studies degree be changed,
so that all students take Introduction to Performance as their core Theatre Studies
module, rather than choosing between Introduction to Performance and Introduction
to Theatre. It is felt that Introduction to Performance would give the students the
necessary foundation for the Theatre department’s most progressive work, whereas at
least some of both the content and the methods involved in Introduction to Theatre are
also to be found on English department courses. We therefore propose to make
Introduction to Performance the sole and mandatory Theatre course in the first year of
the English and Theatre Studies degree.
The prospectus has advertised a choice between the two Theatre modules for
first years, but because all students are interviewed for the English and Theatre
degree, we are going to explain and inform all prospective students of this change on
the two English interview days. Theatre Studies will also be more involved in the
Admissions process for English and Theatre – something that has fallen away in
recent years. Therefore students will be able to choose (or decline) a place on this
course in the full knowledge of the proposed change and its rationale.
We are looking for the support of the English department UGSC for this
change; it has already been approved by the relevant Theatre Studies staff. It may be
too late to go through the Faculty UGSC if this does not meet before the first of the
two English interview days; we are hoping, however, that the Chair of the Faculty
committee might agree to pass it by Chair’s Action, and would like the support of the
English UGSC in proposing this.
We would welcome your response and are happy to provide more information if
necessary. If you are willing to support this proposal, we would be grateful if you
could register this formally in the UGSC minutes, and make a recommendation to this
effect at Faculty UGSC.
Many thanks for your time.
Dr Liz Barry
Prof Tony Howard
Prof Carol Rutter
Prof Jim Davis (Chair, Theatre)
Dr Nadine Holdsworth (incoming Chair, Theatre)
Dr Tim White (Director of Undergraduate Studies, Theatre)