Module Code - Title:
MD6071
-
WRITING AND THE DOCUMENTATION OF ARTS PRACTICE 1
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The purpose of this module is to explore a variety of approaches to the documentation of artistic practices, with a focus on documentation through writing.
Syllabus:
Students will explore a variety of approaches to the documentation of artistic practices, with a focus on documentation through writing. These include forms of documentation emerging from personal memory data, self observation and reflection, as well as the collection of data from external sources including mentors and artistic colleagues. Registers of writing including the poetic, narrative, chronological and critical will be investigated. The role and function of writing in the creative process will be interrogated through creative and critical engagement. Methodological frameworks for the documentation of practice including autoethnography and narrative inquiry will be introduced.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Identify and articulate a knowledge of the key issues concerning the role of writing in arts practice
Investigate and engage in a variety of writing modes in a proactive and creative way.
Interrogate and articulate the value of writing in arts practice research
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Respond to ethical issues arising from an engagement with arts practice research in a responsible manner
Demonstrate a reflexive awareness of issues arising from the necessary emotional engagement with one's own creative process
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Transform and incorporate written documentation into creative process through collaborative practice
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module is taught through a series of lectures, seminars and practice specific feedback sessions. Teaching modes include team teaching, panel presentations and performance-based teaching. Teaching modes demonstrate collaborative approaches and students are encouraged to engage creatively through discussion and performance. The module involves a high level of independent, studio-based work and documentation. The relationship between practice, reflection and documentation is a key aspect of recent findings in arts practice documentation and research (Nelson, 2013) and the potential of writing to form an aspect of the creative process will also be explored.
References
Nelson, Robin (2013) Practice as Research in the Arts: Principles, Protocols, Pedagogies, Resistances. Palgrave Macmillan.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Barbour, Karen (2011)
Dancing Across the Page
, Bristol: Intellect Books
Bartleet, Bridie (2009)
'Behind the Baton: Exploring Autoethnographic Writing in a Musical Context'
, Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, Vol.38, No.6, 713 - 733,
Evans, Mark (2007)
'Another Kind of Writing: Reflective Practice and Creative Journals in the Performing Arts,
, Journal of Writing in Creative Practice, Vol.1, No.1. 69-76
Coessens, Kathleen et al (2010)
The Artistic Turn: A Manifesto
, Leuven University Press.
Other Relevant Texts:
Chang, Heewon (2008)
Autoethnography as Method
, Walnut Creek,
California: West Coast Press.
Buckland, Theresa (1999)
Dance in the Field¿: ¿Theory, Methods and Issues in Dance Ethnography¿
, Palgrave Macmillan.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MACSPETFA - CLASSICAL STRING PERFORMANCE
MAFEARTFA - FESTIVE ARTS
MADAPETFA - DANCE PERFORMANCE
MAITMPTFA - IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Helen.Phelan@ul.ie