REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY, EDE
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS IN COLLABORATION WITH
MOUNT ZION INSTITUTE OF CHRISTIAN DRAMA, ILE – IFE
POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA (PGD) IN THEATRE
ARTS (CHRISTIAN DRAMA) PROGRAMME
CURRICULUM
JAN 8, 2024 – DEC 20, 2024 ACADEMIC SESSION
MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY
The objective of the University project is not only to increase the number of Nigerian youths receiving higher education, but also to arrest the decay in the educational system, through appropriate training for self-sustenance.
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of the Department of Theatre Arts concerning this programme is to provide one of the finest centres for the study and creation of theatre and drama at postgraduate level in the country through a reflective and critical contribution to innovation in contemporary production and performance practice. This new programme is unique in its offering of a composite coverage of the socio-historical contexts and philosophical bases of drama, performance and theatre practices and traditions in Africa.
AIMS/OBJECTIVES
This one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme of study aims to provide a comprehensive and composite coverage of the historical contexts and philosophical bases of drama, theatre and performance practices in Africa. It will thus involve the student in a study of indigenous performance and theatre traditions, colonial and postcolonial literary drama and theatre, popular performances, theatre-for-development, radio and television drama, and the African video drama/film.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
Successful applicant will normally hold a BA, BSc not below Third Class or its equivalent in the case of applicants in Arts or Humanities or Social Sciences or the Sciences and Engineering field as determined by the department or Higher National Diploma (HND) at a grade not below Lower Credit.
Applicants holder of Diploma in Theatre Arts (Christian Drama) awarded by Redeemer’s University, Ede in Collaboration with The Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama (MZICD) or it equivalent from any other recognized University in affliation with (MZICD) shall be an Added Advantage with Special Consideration.
They must demonstrate in their written application and in interview, in person or by telephone, that they have a capacity for, and interest in, theoretical, analytical work or practice led research; similarly, that they are able to meet the intellectual demands of a programme designed to be theoretically and practically challenging. They are expected to be able to engage with historical research, as well as have some awareness of how contemporary performance and theatre in Africa involves a diversity of forms, practices and traditions.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS (PGD)
1. To be awarded the PG Diploma in Theatre Arts a candidate must have taken and passed the prescribed number of compulsory and optional courses selected from the approved list, and totaling 36 units as follows:
Compulsory Courses | 24 Units |
Elective Courses | 6 Units |
Dissertation | 6 Units |
Total | 34 Units |
2. In all cases, PGD students must write and submit to the department a dissertation duly supervised by a lecturer(s) in The Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama approved by the department whose qualifications are not below the PhD (Lecturer I without a PhD may be allowed in an exceptional case). Such a Dissertation must be defended before an external examiner nominated by the department and appointed by Senate for that purpose.
3. Any candidate whose total grade is 60% and above at the end of the year of course shall qualify to proceed on MA, while the candidate with grade between 50 and 59.9% will be awarded a terminal PG Diploma. A PGD candidate whose total grade is below 50% at the end of the year of course shall be deemed to have failed and will not be awarded any diploma and shall be required to withdraw from the university or in the alternative start over.
Programme Structure, Curriculum Units and Award Requirements
All students on the programme shall take at least TEN (10) COURSES AND COMPLETE A DISSERTATION – these consist of eight compulsory core courses, two optional courses and one compulsory dissertation over two semesters or twelve months. The programme may be taken full-time (12 months) or part-time for the duration of two years respectively. For full-time students, the programme runs over three semesters, of which Semester One is devoted to four compulsory courses and at least one optional course, Semester Two comprises four compulsory courses and at least one optional course, with the writing of dissertation.
Generic and Specific Marking Criteria
Marks | Letter Grade | Grade Point | Cumulative Grade Point Average | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|
70-100 | A | 5 | 4.50-5.0 | Distinction |
60-69 | B | 4 | 3.45-3.49 | Credit |
55-59.9 | C | 3 | 3.0-3.44 | Merit |
50-54.9 | D | 2 | 2.5-2.99 | Pass |
49 and below | F | 0 | Below 2.49 | Fail |
Written work
Student’s written work will be assessed in accordance with (a), the Faculty/ Theatre Department’s generic grading criteria, and, (b) by the specific grading criteria identified for any given course.
In relation to coursework essays, students are assessed with regard to:
- An ability to write lucidly with focused relevance
- An ability to identify and examine key issues in relation to the work in hand
- An ability to draw upon and evaluate primary and secondary sources as appropriate
- An ability to sustain a critical response through the develope of coherent analysis
- Evidence of insight, intelligence and stylistic aptitude in presenting written criticism.
- An ability to structure and sustain a coherent argument at an appropriate level
Special Support for Learning
The Department recognizes the importance of supporting students’ learning with high quality teaching that is responsive to their individual and collective needs. The programme has been designed to be as accessible as possible to all students.
The college also provides a range of other student support services. Details can be found in the students’ Handbook.
Resources
(I) The Theatre Department has its own dedicated specialist facilities, such as the BOJA Arts Theatre and additional studio/rehearsal/performance spaces. Technical support is provided by the availability of sound and video recording studios, plus scenic construction and costume/wardrobe facilities. These resources are further complemented with the infrastructural facilities at the Campus of the Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama at Ile – Ife.
(II). The Department is affiliated with both international and national art/theatre organisations. Some of them are, International Federation of Theatre Research (IFTR), African Theatre Association (AFTA) together with its journal, African Performance Review, and the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA) with its journal, Nigerian Theatre Journal. These organisations provide unique research and professional contact facilities for students on the Theatre Arts programmes.
(III). Expertise is provided by the Department’s resident staff and the academic staff at the Campus of the Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama at Ile – Ife who are not only dedicated and experienced teachers, but are also distinguished practitioners and researchers in their own right, working in national and international contexts. The Department also draws on a large pool of visiting practitioners and academics to provide a breadth of expertise and contact with current practice.
Methods
The Department recognises the importance of supporting student learning with highquality teaching on a predominant small-group seminar/workshop basis with significant levels of individual tutorial support, particularly for independent projects. The programme coordinator and course lecturers are available to discuss any issues arising throughout the course of study. All members of staff have office hours each week to discuss any matters; outside these hours, student may arrange an appointment with any member of staff via email or telephone.
Programme and course information, a student handbook, as well as timetable details are sent to students in advance of the beginning of Semester. Students are also expected to attend special induction meetings prior to the commencement of teaching. When they are offered further guidance regarding timetables and enrolment procedures.
Students will be strongly encouraged to develop and maintain a Personal Development Plan (PDP) during the course of study. This PDP will record aspirations, plans and goals, record achievement against goals, and enable progress monitoring in order to achieve personal student aims. The course convenor will be available to discuss PDPs with students. The PDP will be integrated within a general portfolio of all assessment feedback and marks via a central resource.
Welfare
The programme convener acts as a Personal Tutor to all students on this programme: to offer advice, guidance or clarification of courses, options, requirements and regulations; and to monitor the student’s progress through the programme. The Personal Tutor can also offer support in cases of academic difficulty. If students encounter difficulties at any time with their studies, the course convener and other course tutors/Lecturers can provide additional academic support whilst the Head of Department and the Programme Convener are available by appointment to discuss welfare-centred issues. I’m addition to specialist advice and assistance within the College, the Department ensures that course materials are suitable for all students and, where necessary, these are altered to meet the requirements of individual students.
Quality and Standards Assurance and Evaluation
As part of the Department of Theatre’s Quality and Standards Assurance procedure, students play an active role by providing regular feedback through Course Evaluation, which they complete at the end of every course taken on the programme. In addition, students contribute to the Programme Monitoring (Evaluation) System as members of a departmental staff/student committee responsible for programme monitoring.
Indicator of Quality
The external Examiner’s Report will provide an annual assessment of the quality of the programme.
Employment
The programme hopes to prepare graduates for professional employment in any position that has to do with the theatre/ performance in any form that requires solid intellectual preparation and contribution. In addition, graduates can use this programme as a springboard for further study, either vocational or intellectual and for entry into the MA programme.
The broad range of interests combined in this programme permits a diverse range of employment connected with performance in many different socio-cultural environment: facilitation and animation in both mainstream, applied and community theatre contexts; administrative and support services; government organizations (immigration, cultural policy, funding bodies); journalism (including radio, television and print journalism); teaching at all levels; interpretation and translation in theatre and performance contexts. The multiple skills developed by this programme provide graduates with the flexibility necessary for creative insertion into the job market.
The broad range of interests combined in this programme permits a diverse range of employment connected with performance in many different socio-cultural environment: facilitation and animation in both mainstream, applied and community theatre contexts; administrative and support services; government organizations (immigration, cultural policy, funding bodies); journalism (including radio, television and print journalism); teaching at all levels; interpretation and translation in theatre and performance contexts. The multiple skills developed by this programme provide graduates with the flexibility necessary for creative insertion into the job market.