Semester 1
DA5101 </strong>R<strong>epertoire and Style in Irish Traditional Dance Performance 1
The objective of this module is to introduce students to the repertoires of diverse Irish traditional dance performance practices within a variety of theoretical, methodological and dance performance contexts. Students learn and enbody the repertoires and their respective aesthetics from master tutors. This develops the performance skills of students and enhances their critical awareness and understanding of different performance practices and their respective aesthetic systems within the Irish dance tradition. Students will also learn research methods which they will apply to a dance ethnographic project of their choice.
DA6021: Dance Ethnography
In this module you will be trained in appropriate methods and techniques in dance ethnography, including Labanotation. You will critically engage in literature and discourses surrounding issues relating to ethnographic documentation, representation and reflexive writing. You will produce a dance ethnography portfolio of assignments.
MD6021 Introduction to Fieldwork Techniques
In this module you will learn appropriate methods and techniques for research and documentation of performance practices in the field. Topics relating to fieldwork, ethical principles, participant observation, interview techniques, and fieldnote taking are covered. Key issues in epistemology and methodology for such research will be raised and discussed and will be informed by supporting literature.
MD6041 Introduction to Ritual Studies
This module provides an introduction to ritual studies as an inter-disciplinary discourse drawing on anthropology, sociology, religious studies, ethnomusicology, ethnochoreology, festive arts and performance studies. It introduces a number of ritual case studies including historical and cross-cultural examples, with an emphasis on Irish ritual practices.
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MD 6051 Independent Study 1
This module provides a space to engage in the study of a topic/subject of their own choice. Students organise their tuition and the assessment mechanism in consultation with their course director. A broad range of existing modules from the various postgraduate offers at the Academy is also available for students to chose from.
MD6031 Media Technologies for Performing Arts and Arts Research
This module provides an introduction into current media technologies as they are used in the fields of performing arts, creative arts therapies, and arts research; to develop essential skills and fluency in these technologies in order to use them competently, creatively, and effectively in one’s own specific discipline.
MD6o61 Introduction to Somatics
This module will ensure that students are educated in somatic practices that promote a healthy and mindful approach to movement. The continued development of an integrated mind/body approach will enable students to perform with greater efficiency and will minimize their risk of injury.
MD6081 Critical Engagements with Irish Traditional Music
In this module students will examine writings on and sources of Irish traditional music to enhance their understanding of this tradition. They will critically engage with texts relevant to Irish traditional music studies and related fields.
MD6071 Writing & the Documentation of Arts Practice 1
This module explores the documentation of performance practices, with a focus on writing. It introduces forms of documentation emerging from personal memory data, self observation + reflection, and the collection of data from external sources. Registers of writing and the role of writing in the creative process are examined.
MD6111 Colloquium 1
This module exposes students to scholarship and performance practices from a wide variety of music and dance and related disciplines, enabling students to broaden their perspectives on their own specialisation as well as experience presentations from scholars and performers in cognate disciplines. Students are expected to attend a minimum of five seminars from the various series offered in the Academy.
Semester 2
DA5031 History of Irish Traditional Dance
In this module students will examine writings on and sources of Irish traditional music to enhance their understanding of this tradition. They will critically engage with texts relevant to Irish traditional music studies and related fields.
DA5102 Repertoire and Style in Irish Traditional Dance Performance 2
The objective of this module is to continue extending students’ theoretical and practical knowledge of repertoires and styles in diverse Irish traditional dance performance practices and related dance practices. By critically examining relevant literature, the module will provide a historical contextualisation of both Irish traditional dance and these related dance practices. In addition, students will continue to work with master tutors representative of specific repertoires and styles which will develop further the performance skills of students. Students will also engage in critical debate within the context of Irish dance performance studies which will enhance their critical awareness of different performance practices and their respective aesthetic systems.
Options
MD 6052 Independent Study 2
This module provides a space to engage in the study of a topic/subject of their own choice. Students organise their tuition and the assessment mechanism in consultation with their course director. A broad range of existing modules from the various postgraduate offers at the Academy is also available for students to chose from.
MD6o61 Introduction to Somatics 2
This module will ensure that students are educated in somatic practices that promote a healthy and mindful approach to movement. The continued development of an integrated mind/body approach will enable students to perform with greater efficiency and will minimize their risk of injury.
MD6062 Critical Contexts for Arts Management and Cultural Policy
As part of this module, students are introduced to key ideas, issues and current debates in arts management and cultural policy. There is an emphasis on the interpretation and engagement with cultural policy from the perspective of a practitioner, and its relation to funding applications. The development of effective funding application skills and grant writing are also covered in this module.
MD6072 Writing and the Documentation of Arts Practice 2
This module explores the creative process in artistic and academic work. Its objective is to develop skills in the documentation of performance practice towards the development of a research inquiry. lt does this through an engagement with key texts regarding arts practice research and the writing of an arts practice research paper.
MD6082 Choreography for Camera
Exploring the dynamic field of screendance and dance-film making, this module prepares students to work creatively towards the creation of short dance films. The module contextualizes dance-film within the context of contemporary dance and arts practices while investigating a range of aesthetic and technical approaches to creating a work.
MD6111 Colloquium 2
This module exposes students to scholarship and performance practices from a wide variety of music and dance and related disciplines, enabling students to broaden their perspectives on their own specialisation as well as experience presentations from scholars and performers in cognate disciplines. Students are expected to attend a minimum of five seminars from the various series offered in the Academy.
Semester 3
MD5522 Final Presentation
A written thesis or a combination of a thesis with performance.
