Module Information

Module Identifier
TPS0300
Module Title
Professional Practice Year
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Workplace Investigation  2 x 1000 words reports (1 per placement if undertaking more than one placement) addressing key issues of professional development & progress 2000 Words  40%
Semester Assessment Reflection on placement  Reflection on placement (including employer’s report). The employer’s report is required as part of the assessment but will not be marked. Student section of report to be 2000 words.  40%
Semester Assessment Introductory Report  1000 Words  20%
Supplementary Assessment Resit information  Note: In accordance with Academic Registry guidelines there is no resit assessment for the YII scheme. Students who fail the conditions of the assessment with be transferred to the 3-year scheme.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Contextualise the activities and operations of the placement organisation or company within a broader field of professional creative practice in theatre and performance.

2. Demonstrate the ability to fulfil a working role and to take responsibility for the successful performance of that role, whether working independently or within a group.

3. Demonstrate enhanced employability skills such as independence, initiative, negotiation, communication, planning, and presentation.

4. Demonstrate awareness of how to manage risk, health and safety, and to employ ethical working practices in the working environment.

5. Reflect on and evaluate personal and professional development during the placement.

Brief description

This module provides students with an opportunity to engage in a period of placement in an organisation or business equivalent to a minimum of 36 weeks, and to gain first-hand experience of professional arts practice. Depending on the specific placement, this might involve theatre management, administration, or marketing, arts or event management, theatre or festival producing, theatre making (incl. devising, performing, directing, or playwriting), stage management or technical production, or independent artistic practice.
During the placement, students will have an opportunity to acquire and develop personal and professional skills, and to make links between their degree studies and professional contexts. The module aims to develop students’ ability to recognise and reflect upon the skills they build in the workplace, to enhance their ability, and to capitalise on that experience. Students will not be directly assessed on the placement, but on their reflection on the placement experience.

Content

With the assistance of the Careers Service and the module leader, students will seek and secure appropriate full time employment (paid or unpaid) equivalent to a minimum of 36 weeks. During this time they will be expected to gain extensive experience of the workplace through undertaking a professional working role. Before the placement commences, students will be assigned an academic supervisor and, in consultation with the supervisor, will set guidelines and objectives for the placement. During the placement students will be monitored and guided by means of email and telephone communication (or electronic means such as Skype) and a visit (mainland UK only) from the academic supervisor. Students will submit three pieces of coursework during the placement in which they will contextualise and investigate the organisation or company they are working for and reflect on their personal and professional development. An employer’s report will form a compulsory part of their final assessment, but will not be directly assessed.
During Years 1 and 2, all students will be briefed about the module (via online notices, a presentation and the tutorial system) and about the need to identify suitable work or voluntary opportunities. The placement should be equivalent to 36 weeks of full-time, approved employment, to be completed over a 12 month period following successful completion of Year 2 and prior to commencing the Final Year (Year 4). Placements will be assessed and approved on a case-by-case basis by the module coordinator (and appropriate checks made on health and safety aspects and insurance cover). The aim is to accept as broad a range of opportunities as possible in line with the stated academic aims of the module and the student’s programme of study.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Co-ordinating with others Students will work with others in the workplace.
Creative Problem Solving Students will be encouraged to develop different strategies while searching for a placement, and will be required to solve problems encountered routinely in the workplace.
Critical and analytical thinking Students will be required to conduct research into the industry, roles, and the organisation in which they secure their placement. During their placement, students will complete a workplace investigation assignment.
Digital capability This depends on the placement secured.
Professional communication Students will develop their communication skills both in seeking a placement, and during their time in the workplace.
Real world sense The main focus of the module is to develop the students’ experience and their personal development, and career planning will feature prominently throughout the year and in assessments.
Reflection Students will be expected to set targets and monitor their progress throughout their placement, and to reflect on these in their assessment.
Subject Specific Skills Placements will be relevant to the study scheme followed by students and will provide an opportunity to further develop their subject-specific skills within a professional environment.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5