Drama Education - New Zealand Program
Corban Estate Arts Centre, Henderson NZ
A pathway to a postgraduate qualification
The Faculty of Education and Social Work has a strong tradition of research and teaching in drama education. The Faculty currently offers a range of postgraduate, in-service and professional development opportunities for students and practitioners looking to develop or extend their knowledge and skills in drama education.
This program is designed for anyone who teaches or works with students using drama or Applied theatre: teachers, actors, workshop leaders and applied theatre practitioners.
Four units of study, or courses, are being offered over two years in the New Zealand school holidays. These will be in block mode over three days each. In addition to the face-to-face contact there will be tasks before and after the intensive teaching period. These units/courses can be taken either
- as professional learning courses requiring no formal assessment, or
- as units of study within postgraduate programs offered by the Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Sydney.
- Educational Drama (EDPG5012)
- Film and Visual Media: Pedagogy and Practice (EDPF6018)
- Action Research and Action Learning: Applied Drama Research (Offered in 2009)
- Theatre for Young People (Offered in 2009)
Educational Drama
Wed 16 – Fri 18 July 2008This Unit of Study will begin by examining current theories of educational drama in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and North America. The focus will be on drama as a learning medium, as an art form, as a therapeutic activity and for personal development in schools. The unit will then explore the notions of teacher-in-role-play-building and the drama elements of focus, tension, space, text and symbols. The unit will provide a conceptual basis for the integration of theory and practice of drama in education. Participants will be encouraged to both reflect on current practice and generate new approaches through an understanding of the nature of drama in school curricula.
Film and Visual Media: Pedagogy and Practice
Wed 8 – Fri 10 October 2008This Unit of Study focuses on the pedagogies and practice that engage young people in an appreciation and understanding of the role and significance of film and visual media in a range of contexts. Film and visual media are significant components of New Zealand and Australian culture. Both are integral to New Zealand and international education curricula. In this unit there will be a particular focus on the pedagogies and practice that engage young people in an appreciation and understanding of the role and significance of film and visual media in a range of contexts.
Dr Peter O'Connor, Associate Professor (Honorary)
Peter O'Connor is a co-director of Applied Theatre Consultants Ltd in New Zealand. Previously he was the National Facilitator for Drama with the NZ Ministry of Education, overseeing the introduction of a compulsory drama curriculum. Formerly President of the NZ Foundation for Peace Studies, Peter's company has contracts using the arts as a tool for social change as part of national campaigns on family violence and child abuse and youth suicide prevention programs. He is the author of numerous teacher texts, and articles and chapters on drama education. He is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Sydney.
Dr Michael Anderson, Senior Lecturer
Michael teaches and researches in drama education at the Faculty. Michael has worked as a drama teacher in several schools and was recently a drama consultant for the NSW Department of Education and Training. In recognition of his teaching and consultancy he was awarded the NSW Minister for Education and The Australian College of Educators Quality Teaching Award. He is currently working on several publications that relate to his research interests in drama teaching, theatre for young people, technology and teacher development.
Dr John A Hughes, Pro Dean (Development)
John Hughes lectures in English and drama/theatre pedagogy in the Faculty and has a particular research focus on youth performance festivals, young people and Shakespeare, and drama as a learning medium. He has published 21 refereed articles, 12 chapters in books, four edited books, and 12 professional books on arts education. In 1997 he was selected as one of four international master teachers of drama at the International Drama/Theatre and Education Research Institute in Canada. In 2005 he was invited by Phoenix’s Education to be series editor for The Shakespeare Workshop Publications.
Participants may choose to attend any or all of these units. They may also elect to undertake these as either a professional learning course (no assessment tasks) or as Units of Study in one of the following postgraduate award programs:
| Award | Credit points | Units of study |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Drama Education) | 24 | 4 |
| Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Drama Education) | 36 | 6 |
| Master of Education | 48 | 8 |
To be awarded a pass in a graduate Unit of Study, full attendance and active participation in all sessions is required in addition to the successful completion of the assessment tasks set for that unit.
Participants who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Drama Education) are eligible to apply for credits and upgrade to the Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies or the Master of Education. However please note: to take up this option, participants must not graduate (accept a university certificate) at Graduate Certificate level.
If you are interested in enrolling in a postgraduate program, please contact for further details.
2008 units of study:
Educational Drama (EDPG5012)
Film and Visual Media: pedagogy and practice (EDPF6018)
NZD $1290 per unit/course
Download a flyer with enrolment form (.pdf - 3 pages)
Academic
Administrative
phone: +61 2 9351 7031 / +61 2 9351 4799