Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE DCS3023

 
TITLE Creative Processes for Dance

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Dance Studies

 
DESCRIPTION Content:

What does creativity mean in the context of art-making, and specifically in dance making? How do choreographers manage the choreographic process, from conception to performance, and how do they review and analyse their own creative process? This study unit introduces understandings about how the artistic creative process is described and analysed (Abbs, Boden); It investigates the nature of improvisation (Blom and Chaplin); it challenges students to appreciate the fundamentals of composition in their own dance making (Blom and Chaplin, Smith-Autard); and introduces methods for maintaining a reflective practice journal (Schön).

See Sternberg (2006: 87) in The Nature of Creativity

“…creativity requires a confluence of six distinct but interrelated resources:
intellectual abilities, knowledge, styles of thinking, personality, motivation, and environment” Creativity Research Journal 2006, Vol. 18, No. 1, 87–98

Study Unit Aims:

- To investigate theories of creativity that can be applied to dance making;
- To understand the nature of dance improvisation as a creative tool;
- To develop understanding of personal creative processes in dance making;
- To develop the capacity to review, analyse and articulate reflections on what has been achieved.

Knowledge and Skills:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Demonstrate knowledge of selected theories of creativity;
- Understand the nature of improvisation through theory and their own practice;
- Articulate in writing aspects of their personal creative processes;
- Reflect on, review and analyse their own creative process.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- describe, theorise, interpret and evaluate selected theories of creativity;
- use selected techniques to initiate and undertake the generation and analysis of data and information from these theories;
- communicate information, arguments and analysis in logical written forms.

Indicative reading:

Blom. LA and Chaplin, LT (1982) The Intimate Act of Choreography London: Dance Books
Blom LA and Chaplin, LT (1988) The Moment of Movement: Dance Improvisation London: Dance Books
Boden, M A (ed) (1994) Dimensions of Creativity Cambridge, MASS, MIT Press
Schön, D A (1991) The Reflective Practitioner: how professionals think in action London: Arena
Smith-Autard, J (2010) Dance Composition: a practical guide to creative success in dance making London: Methuen Drama
Sternberg, R J (2006) ‘The Nature of Creativity’ in Creativity Research Journal Vol, 18 No. 1 pp 87-98

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Independent Online Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Portfolio SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit