BA Drama and Theatre / History

Program Overview

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Aberystwyth University's BA Drama and Theatre/History program seamlessly blends theatre and history, allowing students to delve into both disciplines and cultivate critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills. By combining practical workshops, lectures, and production projects, this joint honors degree equips students with the knowledge and expertise to pursue careers in various fields, from acting and directing to education and arts administration. The program benefits from strong industry connections and offers access to exceptional facilities, providing students with ample opportunities for hands-on experience and professional development.

Program Outline

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Aberystwyth University - BA Drama and Theatre / History (WV41)

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Degree Overview:

This joint honours degree allows students to combine their passion for drama, theatre, and performance with the study of history. The program benefits from the expertise of lecturers in both departments, fostering the development of key skills such as critical thinking, analysis, and communication.

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Drama and Theatre Studies:

Students will explore the vast possibilities of theatre, engaging with both practice and theory, and developing as creative thinkers.

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History:

Students can choose to study medieval through to modern history, focusing on a broad geographical spread from Britain and Europe to Asia and beyond. This degree uniquely blends theory and practice in both fields, allowing students to produce and participate in theatrical productions, examine key texts, explore archival treasures, and decipher historical artifacts.

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Outline:

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Year 1:

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Core Modules:

• Introduction to History (HY12120): 20 credits
• Theatre in Context 1 (TP11020): 20 credits
• Theatre in Context 2 (TP11320): 20 credits

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Optional Modules:

• Europe and the World, 1000-2000 (HY12420): 20 credits
• Medieval and Early Modern Britain and Europe, 1000-1800 (HY11420): 20 credits
• People, Power and Identity: Wales 1200-1999 (WH11720): 20 credits
• Site-Specific Performance Project (TP11420): 20 credits
• Studio Theatre Project (TP11120): 20 credits
• The Modern World, 1789 to the present (HY11820): 20 credits
• 'Hands on' History: Sources and their Historians (HY10420): 20 credits
• Body, Voice, Expression (TP10220): 20 credits
• Body, Voice, Perception (TP10120): 20 credits

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Year 2:

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Core Modules:

• Making History (HY20120): 20 credits

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Optional Modules:

• Acting for Camera (TP25920): 20 credits
• Acting: Process and Performance (TP21220): 20 credits
• Devised Performance Project (TP21620): 20 credits
• Directors' Theatre (TP21820): 20 credits
• New Media Performance (TP23820): 20 credits
• Shakespeare in Performance (TP23220): 20 credits
• Theatre Design Project (TP22620): 20 credits
• Theatre Production Project (TP24940): 40 credits
• Theatre and Contemporary Society (TP20820): 20 credits
• African-American History, 1808 to the Present (HY28320): 20 credits
• Between Revolution and Reform: China since 1800 (HY28520): 20 credits
• Crime, Riot and Morality in Wales 1750-1850 (WH23420): 20 credits
• Culture, Society and the Victorians (HY29320): 20 credits
• Environmental History of the Neotropics (Latin America and the Caribbean) in the Capitalocene (HY29120): 20 credits
• Famine in Medieval England (HY25520): 20 credits
• From Poor Law to Welfare State: Poverty and Welfare in Modern Britain, 1815-1948 (HY29220): 20 credits
• Germany since 1945 (HY29620): 20 credits
• Magic in the Middle Ages: From Antiquity to the Eve of the Witch Craze (HY25920): 20 credits
• Media and Society in Twentieth Century Britain (HY27520): 20 credits
• Medieval England and Germany, c. 1050-1250 (HY25620): 20 credits
• Roads to Modernity: Germany and Japan in the Age of Empires, 1860s-1930s (HY28920): 20 credits
• Science, Religion and Magic (HY28620): 20 credits
• Southeast Asia at the crossroads (c. 1400 to the present) (HY29920): 20 credits
• The Atlantic World, 1492-1825 (HY29720): 20 credits
• The British Isles in the Long Eighteenth Century (HY22020): 20 credits
• The European Reformation (HY26520): 20 credits
• The Making of Europe: Christendom and beyond, c. 1000-1300 (HY25720): 20 credits
• The Nazi Dictatorship: Regime and Society in Germany 1933-1945 (HY29420): 20 credits
• The Tudors: A European Dynasty?
• (HY20920): 20 credits
• Wales and the Kings of Britain: Conflict, Power and Identities in the British Isles 1039-1417 (WH20120): 20 credits
• Wales under the Tudors (WH23520): 20 credits
• War, Politics and People: England in Context in the Fourteenth Century (HY26720): 20 credits
• History as myth-Making: the 'Myth of the Blitz' (HY23420): 20 credits
• Interdisciplinary and decolonial history (HY24320): 20 credits
• Memory, Myth and History: Investigating Medieval Chronicles, c. 1000-1250 (HY24120): 20 credits
• Reading a Building (HY23120): 20 credits
• Recounting Racism: Oral History and Modern American Race Relations (HY25020): 20 credits
• Seals in Their Context in Medieval England and Wales (HY24420): 20 credits
• Victorian Visions: Exploring Nineteenth-Century Exhibitions (HY24620): 20 credits

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Optional Modules:

• Contemporary Drama (TP30020): 20 credits
• Musical Theatre Dramaturgies (TP39020): 20 credits
• Performance and Architecture (TP33420): 20 credits
• Performance and Disability (TP30320): 20 credits
• Place, Space and Landscape (TP32820): 20 credits
• African-American History, 1808 to the Present (HY38820): 20 credits
• Between Revolution and Reform: China since 1800 (HY38520): 20 credits
• Crime, Riot and Morality in Wales 1750-1850 (WH33420): 20 credits
• Culture, Society and the Victorians (HY39320): 20 credits
• Environmental History of the Neotropics (Latin America and the Caribbean) in the Capitalocene (HY39120): 20 credits
• Famine in Medieval England (HY35520): 20 credits
• From Poor Law to Welfare State: Poverty and Welfare in Modern Britain, 1815-1948 (HY39220): 20 credits
• Germany since 1945 (HY39620): 20 credits
• Magic in the Middle Ages: From Antiquity to the Eve of the Witch Craze (HY35920): 20 credits
• Media and Society in Twentieth Century Britain (HY37520): 20 credits
• Medieval England and Germany, c. 1050-1250 (HY35620): 20 credits
• Roads to Modernity: Germany and Japan in the Age of Empires, 1860s-1930s (HY38920): 20 credits
• Science, Religion and Magic (HY38620): 20 credits
• Southeast Asia at the crossroads (c. 1400 to the present) (HY39920): 20 credits
• The Atlantic World, 1492-1825 (HY39720): 20 credits
• The British Isles in the Long Eighteenth Century (HY30120): 20 credits
• The European Reformation (HY36520): 20 credits
• The Making of Europe: Christendom and beyond, c. 1000-1300 (HY35720): 20 credits
• The Nazi Dictatorship: Regime and Society in Germany 1933-1945 (HY39420): 20 credits
• The Tudors: A European Dynasty?
• (HY30920): 20 credits
• Wales and the Kings of Britain: Conflict, Power and Identities in the British Isles 1039-1417 (WH30120): 20 credits
• Wales under the Tudors (WH33520): 20 credits
• War, Politics and People: England in Context in the Fourteenth Century (HY36720): 20 credits
• Ensemble Performance Project (TP35520): 20 credits
• Independent Research Project (TP36040): 40 credits
• Playwriting (TP33340): 40 credits
• School Shakespeare Project (TP30140): 40 credits

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Assessment:

The assessment methods vary depending on the module and may include:

• Formal and performed essays
• Written and practical examinations
• Critical and creative portfolios
• Practical productions
• Seminar presentations
• Group activities

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Teaching:

• Practical workshops: Students will engage in hands-on activities to develop their skills in performance, design, and production.
• Small-group seminars: These provide a more intimate setting for discussion and critical analysis of theoretical concepts and historical events.
• Lectures: These provide a broad overview of key topics and historical periods.
• Production projects: Students will work collaboratively to create and perform theatrical productions.
• Group-based project work: Students will work in teams to research, analyze, and present information.

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Teaching Staff:

• All academic staff in the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies are research active and/or involved in Knowledge Transfer projects, holding either relevant academic qualifications at doctoral level or equivalent professional experience and expertise.
• Staff in the Department of History and Welsh History are active researchers and experts in their field of History, most holding PhDs and PGCHE qualifications.

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Careers:

The program equips students with valuable skills sought after by employers in various fields, including:

• Acting and performing
• Directing
• Designing
• Script writing
• Teaching and education
• Arts administration
• Marketing
• Management
• Public relations

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Other:

• The Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies has strong connections with key industry partners, such as National Theatre Wales, Music Theatre Wales, Quarantine Theatre Company, and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru, providing students with networking and professional development opportunities.
• Students have access to excellent facilities and resources for practical work, including three rehearsal studios, two large professionally-equipped studios, and costume and wardrobe facilities.
• The Department of History and Welsh History offers heritage sector student placements at institutions like the National Library of Wales, the Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historic Monuments of Wales, and the Society of Antiquaries of London.
• Aberystwyth University offers international opportunities for students to study, volunteer, or work abroad.
• The eMentoring Scheme connects students with past graduates in a range of careers, providing insights and guidance.
• The Aberystwyth University Careers team offers various work experience opportunities, including GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme).