Independent Dance Contract B

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Maximum of 10 hours per week; 120 hours across semester

Enrolment in Independent Dance Contract B is dependent on Dance Faculty approval of proposed content and students may only enrol in 2 Independent Contracts ie 2 from A,B or C.

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

Independent Dance Contract B creates the opportunity for the student to design and implement an area of study which is of particular interest and relevance to the development of his or her dance practice. It enables students to demonstrate independence and resourcefulness as they take responsibility for creating a learning context that broadens their understanding and experience of dance practice and the dance profession. Examples are a self directed choreographic or performance project. Other possibilities may involve a secondment with a dance company or organization, or participation in a conference or workshop (national or international). Proposals are to be centered around the investigation and pursuit of a legitimate area of content, and objectives which will facilitate further learning and development for the individual. Commencement of project is dependent on approval by appropriate dance faculty members.

Students will develop a statement of intention, negotiate a contract based study design which includes the articulation of objectives and learning outcomes, agreed assessment tasks, a detailed plan of all parts of the project plus relevant accompanying documents. Students will be expected to take initiative to progress through all stages of the contract. Projects, which include national or international travel to facilitate research and broader experiential involvement with dance practices, can be proposed. Projects may be undertaken in intensive mode. The feasibility of projects based on participation or involvement with artists or organisations beyond the VCA may be dependent on agreement by said artists or organisations to provide feedback and/or contribute to assessment processes. Projects will be self-funded by the student.

Study will occur on the Southbank campus or a combination of the Southbank campus and other locations as detailed in individual student contracts. An example of the latter could be the dance studios, offices and performance spaces of dance companies or independent artists.

This subject will enable a student to:

• Proactively determine and design a study contract based on areas of individual interest and need in terms of artistic development and creative investigation.
• Achieve a set of personal objectives based on current development as a creative and interpretive dance artist, utilising the appropriate support and expertise of the faculty.
• Engage with learning of content related to the skills or realities of being a dance practitioner not covered within the compulsory subjects in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance).
• Undertake immersion in experiential activities and/or research and participate in a range of contexts within the university environment and/or beyond in the professional dance sector.
• Strengthen initiative, lateral and strategic thinking and skills such as persistence and resilience which are essential to a career as a dance artist..
• Deepen understanding of, and create connections with potential future employers, peers, collaborators and industry organisations.
• Achieve artistic goals and/or creative output within flexible guidelines and self determined parameters agreed upon with supervisor.
• Process and present experiences and outcomes through a range of appropriate formats.
• Further extend the capacity to access, synthesise and evaluate information and develop understanding from a range of sources and experiences

• Project Proposal including Statement of Intent and Contractual Arrangements - Week 4 (15%);
• Practice based and/or oral presentation/performance or equivalent - Weeks 13 to 14 (45%);
• Written Assignment/Report (2000 words equivalent) - Week 15 (40%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Formulate, plan and negotiate the stages and learning objectives of a self chosen and directed creative or experiential and/or research based project.
• Articulate and justify a proposal for learning based on an area of content or body of knowledge they wish to pursue which will extend their current skills and knowledge.
• Work autonomously, adaptively and with initiative to complete all stages and aspects of the agreed upon contract.
• Undertake research which facilitates and contextualises the content and outcomes of the project.
• Present a major outcome relevant to the nature of the enquiry in two of more of the following – written, oral and/or performative presentation.
• Undertake the self reflective analysis required to process, synthesise and evaluate the discoveries, experiences and learning related to completion of the major parts of the project.
• Present a report in written or multi-media form to summarise and analyse the new knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the project