Drama in Education (8203T007)

master's programme qualification

Specific admission requirements:

Successful completion of the Bachelor`s examination in the field of Drama Education at DAMU or in the field of Theatre and Education at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno, or Bachelor`s examinations in fields focused on education or dramatic arts and receipt of a certificate for successful completion of an accredited lifelong education course organised by the Department of Art Education at DAMU, which supplements the entrance profile of the Master`s programme candidate with the skills and competencies required of a student prior to commencing the Master`s programme. During the admissions process, the candidate`s overview of the field is assessed using scholarly literature, and his/her ability to perform dramaturgical, directing and pedagogical work is assessed using a presented dramaturgical directing concept based on a dramatic text.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning:

The procedure for recognition at AMU is governed by Articles 89 and 90 of the Act on Higher Education Institutions No. 111/1998 Coll., as amended, and by the AMU Attendance and Examination Regulations (Articles 8, 14, 18).

Qualification requirements and regulations

A completed university education in the Bachelor`s programme in the field of Drama Education at DAMU or in the field of Theatre and Education at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno, or in fields focused on education or dramatic arts and receipt of a certificate for successful completion of an accredited lifelong education course organised by the Department of Art Education at DAMU.

Regulations: The Czech education system is governed by the Act on Higher Education Institutions, as amended (Act No. 111/1998 Coll.), and by the internal regulations of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.

Field of study characterization

The Master`s programme deepens the circles of curriculum studied at the Bachelor`s level and enhances them in particular with further methodological curriculum. Above all, it develops and systematises skills and findings with respect to theatrical grounding and teaching competencies. Furthermore, attention is devoted to subjects focused on theory and history, and possibly also on criticism of drama education, children`s theatre and performance, and to special areas or topics in the field: theatre in education and upbringing and other types of interactive or para-theatrical activities, theatre for children, theatrical activities and education by means of theatrical/drama activities while working with other than child participants. In parallel, students are gradually introduced to the practical issues of working with a group of children and youth. A student`s work with children or youth culminates with the preparation of an independent creative project with his/her own children`s or secondary school group, possibly with a group of adults which is led with educational objectives.

Key learning outcomes:

He/she knows the current state of the field, and can characterise with deep understanding the specifics of the work and the methodologies of several contemporary personalities in the field, drawing inspiration from them and comparing them to his/her own methodology.

He/she has deep knowledge of the history and theory of the field, and understands the development of drama education in connection with the development of the conception of the child and education.

In addition to deep knowledge of the theory, history and didactics of drama education and children`s theatre, he/she possesses knowledge in particular in the area of theatrology, aesthetic education, pedagogy and psychology, and is able to find information concerning these areas; he/she is able to consider the significance of a given phenomenon for education and its transformability into a drama education enterprise.

A graduate of the programme is capable of independently planning, realising and evaluating the art education process. With respect to the psychological pedagogy component, he/she is capable of understanding and realising education as an internally structured system which at the same time is part of a network of other societal systems; he/she is capable of viewing the student or active participant as the central element of this system; he/she is capable of reflecting on himself/herself as a teacher and of reflecting on the functioning of the process of education and upbringing.

He/she is capable of independently planning, leading and evaluating an extensive drama education or staging project, especially with children, youth, and even with adult participants.

He/she is capable of defining a research problem in the field, applying appropriate research methods to the problem and solution, and independently realising and evaluating the research. He/she brings to the field new original information supported by scholarly reflected practice and research.

He/she is capable of employing arguments to defend drama education`s place in contemporary education, and is prepared to create conceptual materials at the institutional level (e.g. a conception for introducing the subject of Drama Education at a specific primary school, or the field of Drama at a particular secondary school) for the school's curriculum and to assume responsibility for their realisation.

The profile of a Master`s programme graduate encompasses the levels of expert knowledge, skills and general competencies obtained through previous studies, mainly at the level of the Bachelor`s programme.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples:

The programme`s objective is to equip students with such knowledge and skills and to develop their aptitudes of personality and talent so that they are able to work with their students in an edified and qualified manner on a theatrical or performance project, and to make use of drama education in their work with children and youth for instruction at different educational levels, as well as at institutions focusing on free-time activities, in educational work using of theatrical / dramatic arts, and also with non-child participant groups.

Professional application for the graduate: pre-schools, primary schools, secondary schools, primary art schools, free-time centres / youth houses, and other educational institutions - a teacher of free-time activities as well as subjects which are part of the required curriculum of a specific institution; a teacher of drama education, a literary-drama field; a teacher of drama and related subjects, fields and areas. Also as a lecturer for educational programmes in museums, galleries, libraries, drama centres, etc.

Access to further studies:

Doctoral programme in the field of Theory and Practice of Theatrical Creation.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading:

Studies are assessed by credits and examinations stipulated by study plans.

The student is entitled to a second and third attempt to pass an examination. If neither of these attempts proves successful, the Dean may in exceptional cases permit a fourth attempt, known as a Dean`s Examination. A Dean`s Examination is administered by a commission with the participation of the Dean or a Vice-Dean appointed by the Dean. It is not permitted to repeat an examination for the main subjects or to repeat written examinations.

The credit is an ungraded form of assessment of studies. It is allocated upon fulfilment of requirements stipulated for individual subjects and is recorded in the information system with the word „Credited“ (Z). An examination is a graded form of assessment of studies, which tests knowledge and level of creativity in the relevant subject. It may be practical, written, oral or a combination of these methods.

Examinations are graded on the scale „A, B, C, D, E, F“.

Graduation requirements:

The student fulfils the requirements corresponding to the study plan.

The student passes the final state examination.

The State Master`s Examination in the field of Drama Education consists of these parts:

1. the diploma thesis and its defence;

2. didactics of drama education (including the defence of an independent creative project);

3. theory and history of dramatic arts (in addition to the general and Czech history of theatre, the questions concern all aspects of theatrical art relating to drama education, e.g. theatricality and dramaticality, dramatic situations, improvisation and interpretation, issues of children`s playership and acting, etc.);

4. theory and history of drama education, pedagogy and psychology (the questions are focused on all areas of drama education and aspects of its investigation, in particular on the relationships between the theatre, psychology and pedagogy, especially the issue of the play and the acted role, on the personality of the drama education teacher and on the character of the drama education process and its various types, objectives and methods).

A condition for advancement to the Master`s examinations is in particular the realisation of an independent creative project, the defence of which is part of the state examination (as a component of the examination in didactics and drama education).

Mode of study:

full-time / part-time

Qualification director or equivalent:

Radek MARUŠÁK

Field of study is part of study programme:

Dramatic Arts – (N8203)
Dramatic Arts – (N8215)

Qualification study plans