Overview
In this unit, you will explore the wide range of established methodologies that inform contemporary acting. This commences with the fundamental contributions of Stanislavski and Brecht (as differences in acting techniques) before moving on to the methodologies of later theorists who have influenced contemporary acting such as Grotowski, Strasberg, and Meisner. You will explore the assumptions about acting underlying each method, explore the development of these methodologies, and apply their approaches in practical tutorials.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Surveys
Student evaluations show students are very happy with the structure of the unit.
Maintain the current structure of the unit.
- Explain the assumptions underlying the major approaches to acting of the twentieth century
- Apply some of these techniques in practical demonstrations and exercises
- Demonstrate the major approaches to acting in performance.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 25% | |||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 25% | |||
| 3 - Presentation - 10% | |||
| 4 - Performance - 40% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Presentation - 10% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Performance - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
r.doran@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to the principles of Stanislavski's System and its impact on 20th Century realism and acting styles.
Introduction to the theorems of Brecht and the conventions of Epic / Dialectic Theatre.
Voice development.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Reading, analysis and discussion of selected plays from the Realist movement.
Realist acting technique exercises.
Reading, analysis and discussion of selected plays by Brecht.
Exercises exploring and applying Epic Theatre conventions
Voice development.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Reading, analysis and discussion of selected plays from the Realist movement.
Realist acting technique exercises.
Reading, analysis and discussion of selected plays by Brecht.
Exercises exploring and applying Epic Theatre conventions.
Voice development.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Reading, analysis and discussion of selected plays from the Realist movement.
Realist acting technique exercises.
Reading, analysis and discussion of selected plays by Brecht.
Exercises exploring and applying Epic Theatre conventions.
Voice development.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Allocation, script analysis, rehearsal and development of selected scenes from Realist and Brecht plays for Practical Assessments 1 & 2.
Realist acting technique exercises.
Voice development.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Rehearsal and development of selected scenes from Realist and Brecht plays for Practical Assessments 1 & 2.
Realist acting technique exercises.
Voice Development.
Planning and development for Assessment 3: Presentation.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Rehearsal and development of selected scenes from Realist and Brecht plays for Practical Assessments 1 & 2.
Voice Development.
Realist acting technique exercises.
Rehearsal and development for Assessment 3: Presentation.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical Assessment 1: In studio performance of selected scenes from Brecht plays.
Practical Assessment - Scene from a play by Brecht Due: Week 7 Friday (31 Aug 2018) 12:30 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Rehearsal and development of selected scenes from Realist plays for Practical Assessment 2.
Voice Development.
Realist acting technique exercises.
Planning and development for Assessment 3: Presentation.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical Assessment 2: In studio performance of selected scenes from Realist plays.
Practical Assessment - Scene from a Realist Play Due: Week 8 Friday (7 Sept 2018) 12:30 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Rehearsal and development of Assessment 4: Production 2.
Realist acting technique exercises.
Voice Development.
Rehearsal and development for Assessment 3: Presentation.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3: Presentation.
Presentation Due: Week 9 Friday (14 Sept 2018) 12:30 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Rehearsal and development of Assessment 4: Production 2.
Voice Development.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Rehearsal and development of Assessment 4: Production 2.
Voice Development.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Rehearsal and development of Assessment 4: Production 2.
Voice Development.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Rehearsal and development of Assessment 4: Production 2.
Voice Development.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 4:
Production 2 - End of Term Production
Friday the 12th of October
Production 2 Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (12 Oct 2018) 7:00 pm AEST
1 Practical Assessment
Students will be allocated partners to rehearse and develop a selected scene from a play by Brecht (between 5 to 8 minutes in duration). Students will be allocated time in studio for rehearsal with direction and feedback, and are expected to undertake additional unsupervised rehearsal to prepare the scene to a performance ready state. The scene is to be developed and performed with demonstrated use and applied knowledge of Epic Theatre conventions. Students are expected to independently resource low cost costume, props and production materials to facilitate the performance of the scene.
Week 7 Friday (31 Aug 2018) 12:30 pm AEST
In Studio performance assessment
Week 9 Friday (14 Sept 2018)
Assessment Marks and Feedback Rubric will be made available via Moodle
Students will perform a selected scene from a play by Brecht. The performance of the scene will be assessed on:
- Applied voice in performance (15%)
- Evidence of adequate rehearsal and preparation (15%)
- Evidence of applied stage craft (15%)
- Ability to follow and apply given direction (15%)
- Demonstrated understanding of applied Epic Theatre performance conventions as directed. (40%)
- Explain the assumptions underlying the major approaches to acting of the twentieth century
- Apply some of these techniques in practical demonstrations and exercises
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
2 Practical Assessment
Students will be allocated partners to rehearse and develop a selected scene from a Realist play (between 8 to 10 minutes in duration). Students will be allocated time in studio for rehearsal with direction and feedback, and are expected to undertake additional unsupervised rehearsal to prepare the scene to a performance ready state. The scene is to be developed and performed with demonstrated use and applied knowledge Stanislavski based realist acting technique. Students are expected to independently resource low cost costume, props and production materials to facilitate the performance of the scene. In order to limit cost barriers, students are encouraged to apply the principles of Grotowski's "Poor Theatre" approach.
Week 8 Friday (7 Sept 2018) 12:30 pm AEST
In Studio performance assessment
Week 10 Friday (21 Sept 2018)
Assessment Marks and Feedback Rubric will be made available via Moodle
Students will perform a selected scene from a Realist play. The performance of the scene will be assessed on:
- Applied voice in performance (15%)
- Evidence of adequate rehearsal and preparation (15%)
- Evidence of applied stage craft (15%)
- Ability to follow and apply given direction (15%)
- Demonstrated understanding of applied realist acting technique as directed (40%)
- Explain the assumptions underlying the major approaches to acting of the twentieth century
- Apply some of these techniques in practical demonstrations and exercises
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
3 Presentation
As a group, students will develop a live performance presentation, up to 10 minutes in length, utilising Epic Theatre conventions to educate and inform the viewer of the origins, principles and evolution of realist acting techniques, including Stanslavski's system and its influences on contemporary realist acting styles.
Week 9 Friday (14 Sept 2018) 12:30 pm AEST
In studio performance assessment
Week 11 Friday (28 Sept 2018)
Assessment Marks and Feedback Rubric will be made available via Moodle
Students will be individually assessed on:
- Evidence of applied stage craft and adequate rehearsal and development (15%)
- Applied voice in performance (15%)
- Ability to follow and apply given direction (15%)
- Evidence of equal participation the presentation and ability to work within an ensemble (15%)
- Applied understanding of Epic Theatre conventions (40%)
- Explain the assumptions underlying the major approaches to acting of the twentieth century
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
4 Performance
Students will participate in a University production. The production will include component elements from Practical Assessment 2 (Scenes from Realist Plays) and Presentation Assessment 3 (an applied use of Epic Theatre Conventions to explain Realist acting techniques).
Review/Exam Week Friday (12 Oct 2018) 7:00 pm AEST
University production to an invited public audience.
Exam Week Friday (19 Oct 2018)
Assessment Marks and Feedback Rubric will be made available via Moodle.
Students will be assessed on:
- Evidence of applied stage craft, voice in performance, and ability to follow given direction (20%)
- Ability to meet all technical and dress rehearsal requirements; including call times, responsibility for personal props and costumes, and working constructively with all crew including production technicians, operators, stage manager and director. (20%)
- Demonstrated understanding of applied Realist acting technique as directed. (30%)
- Demonstrated understanding of applied Epic Theatre conventions as directed. (30%)
- Demonstrate the major approaches to acting in performance.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
