What will I learn on this module?
Following on from Big ideas in Theatre and Performance, this module asks you to consider the ‘urgent ideas’ that will inform the possible futures of theatre and performance. This module will challenge you to consider how factors such as climate crisis and decolonial thinking will shape performance making processes and perspectives. It will introduce you to examples of theatre and performance practice that seek to engage with urgent ideas, such as how practitioners approach notions of social justice, anti-racism, digital thinking, climate justice, decolonising, along with trans* and non-binary perspectives. The overall aim is to ensure that you are ready to ask challenging questions of yourself and your peers and offer an initial step towards becoming future leaders in the cultural sector.
As with the sister module in the first semester, sessions will be led by members of the staff team to allow you an opportunity to engage directly with leading theatre and performance researchers and induct you in the Northumbria performance research community.
How will I learn on this module?
This module is taught through the format of lecture/seminar. In each session, the lecturer will share with your key ideas and concepts relating to different kinds of theatre practice. The sessions will be delivered in varied ways; you won't only be listening to lecturers but also asked to try out ideas, to watch pieces of film and respond to a range of questions and provocations. It is an environment that encourages dialogue and debate, informed by your engagement with materials covered on the course. There will also be smaller group discussions with a tutor, where there is even more emphasis on developing our voice as part of a continued induction into the Northumbria performance research community.
The use of the e-learning portal (Blackboard) will be a key feature of the module; here you will find regularly updated course materials and readings which will be updated regularly throughout the year. Where appropriate and/or necessary lectures or seminars may be delivered online (for example via Blackboard Collaborate)
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your learning is supported in a number of ways throughout the module. The sessions themselves are structured in a way which is responsive to your needs; lecturers will explore ideas with you and ask you to affirm your understanding of them, and you will be given response tasks in classes to which lecturers will feed back to you, which will help you to measure for yourself your own progress on the module. A series of texts will be selected for you to read which will help you to navigate your way through the module, and these texts will be directly spoken to in classes so that your reading is supported. The module's assessments (oral presentation and essay) will be talked through with you in detail in classes, and there will be ample opportunity to speak with lectures outside of these classes.
Information and resources will be available to you on Blackboard and the 'Reading List' contains links to websites and online video material which can help you develop appropriate knowledge and understanding.
Written assessment feedback will be provided within 20 working days of summative assignment submission. Access to library facilities is available 24-7 all year round.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
? Show an understanding of the ‘urgent ideas’ that inform theatre and performance cultures today.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
? Demonstrate a developing ability to construct arguments about theatre and performance in written form.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
? Evidence an awareness of different cultural, ecological, and political approaches to theatre and performance.
How will I be assessed?
Formative
500-word tutorial
You will have a 1-to-1 tutorial with your tutor to share a draft 500 words for your essay. This will act as feedforward and is designed to offer you the chance to get informal feedback on your technical writing skills.
Summative (100%)
Essay (2000 words). This essay asks you to articulate and sustain an argument in response to a set question which arises directly from the lecture and seminar classes.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
What is urgent in theatre and performance practice? What social, political and global challenges are theatre and performance makers investigating through their practice? Building on Big ideas in Theatre and Performance, this module introduces you to the ‘urgent ideas’ that will inform the possible futures of theatre and performance through examples of practice that explore these needs. This module will challenge you to consider how factors such as climate crisis and decolonial thinking will shape performance making processes and perspectives, both today and in the future. These are inclusive of approaches to social justice, anti-racism, digital thinking, climate justice, along with trans* and non-binary perspectives. This module prepares you to explore your own responses to these urgent ideas. The overall aim is to ensure that you are ready to ask challenging questions of yourself and your peers and offer an initial step towards becoming future leaders in the cultural sector.
Course info
UCAS Code W405
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Arts
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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