2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PECI2312 Digital Performance Practices and the Body

20 Credits Class Size: 15

Module manager: Dr Katie Gardner
Email: k.gardner@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

In this workshop-based module, you will develop strategies for performance-making where there is an intersection between the live body and digital tools (such as XR technologies, mobile phones, projectors, headsets, 360-degree cameras, binaural microphones, media servers, programmable devices, etc.). In this module you will create your own performance in response to a specific brief centring on the body and XR technologies.

Objectives

This module will:
* Develop your theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of key concepts underpinning the role of the body in digital performance practices;
* Develop your capacity for constructive criticism of your own work and that of others with reference to a wide range of digital performance practices and debates;
* Develop your technical proficiency in a specific area of digital performance technologies;
* Develop your ability to consider how the technical design and cultural contexts of digital technologies shapes your aims as a digital performance artist.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Articulate key concepts and theoretical knowledge underpinning the role of the body in digital performance;
2. Demonstrate an applied knowledge of the relationships between the live body and digital tools in realising a performance;
3. Demonstrate critical appreciation for the expressive, epistemological and aesthetic uses of digital tools in performance making;
4. Demonstrate technical proficiency and creativity in the experimentation, design, and application of digital tools for live performance.

Skills learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Ability to select and creatively use digital technologies for performance making
6. Ability to consider options and resourcefully adapt to challenges during the creative decision-making process
7. Ability to effectively articulate your process as an emerging performance practitioner

Syllabus

You will attend digital performance workshops which will enable you to develop a defined set of technical skills in relation to digital technologies and the body in performance. These workshops will enable you to develop a digital performance and/or interactive digital product according to a specified brief.

You will work in self-directed smaller groups in experimental workshops where you are encouraged to take risks, experiment and fail in your use of digital technologies for performance making. This will culminate in a presentational showing of your work-in-progress and a brief oral Q & A discussing your group’s process, challenges and creative solutions.

Alongside practical workshops and your experimental practice, you will attend a lecture series where you will critically engage with theoretical texts in the field and the work of key digital performance practitioners.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Workshop 7 3 21
Supervision 2 0.5 1
Lectures 3 1 3
Practicals 7 3 21
Private study hours 154
Total Contact hours 46
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive feedback for the SDL performance project via written email communication (and if applicable digital communication appropriate to system/platform use) and in two group tutorials (anticipated Week 4 and Week 8). Students will also receive weekly feedback in the three-hour workshops where students are able to ask questions and respond to feedback for the project. External partners will be invited to the work-in-progress showing and participate in the Q&A to provide informal non-assessed feedback to students.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Assignment Work-in-Progress showing of experimental digital performance project, 10-minute presentation and Q&A on process according to brief 100
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Resits will depend on individual circumstances. To meet the module’s learning outcomes resits may only be available by retaking the module in the next academic year.

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 5/13/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team