Master of Choreography

Sufficient for research leading to thesis. Full time student must commit 40 hours per week, and part time students must commit 20 hours per week.

Extensive background in dance and choreography essential

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Students will receive regular individual supervision of up to two hours per week and may be required to make regular reports, usually monthly, on the progress of their research. They will also be required to attend a formal interview with their supervisor and/or the Head of the School at the end of each semester, at which their progress will be discussed. Records will be kept of the discussion.
Subject description:
The project requires the preparation and presentation of a major dance performance work or works of approximately 40 minutes duration (this timeframe may be modified for candidates who wish to make a video presentation after consultation with and approval by the course coordinator and supervisor(s) together with a 15,000 word research paper. Boundaries of the project will be agreed upon between the candidate and the supervisor at the commencement of the candidacy.

The objectives of this subject are:

• to extend skills and expertise in the chosen field of research in choreography;
• to advance the understanding of dance creative processes in the chosen field of choreography;
• to develop appropriate skills in dance literacy for the documentation, description and analysis of dance creative processes;
• to make a significant contribution to learning in dance practice and choreographic practice in Australia;
• to be able to contribute substantially to Australian dance culture through research skills and knowledge developed through the course.

The assessment of the Master of Choreography will be by percentage mark, comprising: Performance work(s) (60%); Research paper of 15,000 or equivalent as approved by the course assessment committee (40%).

Students must submit three (3) copies of the research paper plus three (3) videotape copies of the performance work(s) for examination in accordance with Statute 12.5.1, within the period of candidature. The initial submission for examination should be in unbound form; once examination is complete and corrections have been made, two copies of the research paper and all accompanying documentation (eg. Video tapes, CD ROM) must be submitted before the result is finalised. The copies are for the Library.

Assessment will be by two (2) external examiners. The Chairman of Examiners can request a candidate attend for a Viva Voce before the Assessment Committee. The research paper must be submitted within 8 weeks of completion of the performance folio.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of the course, students should be able to:

• initiate choreographic research projects and to formulate viable research questions;
• demonstrate an ability to design, develop and present original choreographic work on a closely defined project, and
• demonstrate an ability to manage time so as to maximize the quality of research;
• exhibit an understanding of the major contours of international research in the research area;
• develop appropriate strategies for problem solving and demonstrate an effective and flexible approach;
• cooperate with other researchers;
• manage information effectively including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the field of study;
• exhibit a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity and for the ethics of professional creative practice.