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Background
The Department of Music, Dance and Drama was founded in 1971 as an independent Department in the Faculty of Arts, springing from a one-year diploma course in Drama in the Literature and English Language Department. In order to cater for the rising numbers of students in Drama, a separate Department to conduct both degree and diploma courses was set up and the two Performing Arts subjects of Music and Dance were introduced.The Department teaches African performance in which the three elements: Music, Dance and Drama are complimentary. The Department was also to produce executive performers in the three areas and more particularly: Choreographers, Composers, Playwrights, Directors, Art Administrators and Mass Communicators. The diploma and degree programmes take two and three years respectively.
In 1997, there was a new development. The Music, Dance and Drama hitherto considered one subject became separate subjects in order to enrich and expand each of the three components. Now each subject i.e. Music, Dance and Drama, except at Diploma level, has its own curriculum and syllabus. All these have been deeply enriched to respond to the changes that have taken place in the performing Arts and to meet the needs of society.
Besides equipping students with normal University knowledge, the Department in its Diploma and Degree courses, also equips them with practical skills in Dramatic Arts, (acting, directing, voice and speech training, mime, play writing), the art of dance choreography and composition, and in Music performance, composition and conducting. Besides, the students are also taught Radio and TV Presentation, making TV. and Radio programmes, writing scripts for the same media. Film and video production. There are also specialised components like children's theatre, Drama in Education, T.F.D. (Theatre for Development), Music, Dance and Drama Therapy.
DIPLOMA IN MUSIC, DANCE AND DRAMA
This is a two-year Programme.
First Year
| Semester I Core Courses DIP. MDD 100 Social and Scientific Background of Performing Arts in Uganda DIP. MDD 101 Technical Theatre DIP. MDD 102 Folklore and its Performance Elective Courses DIP. MDD 103 Music Composition I DIP. MDD 104 Introduction to Dance Choreography Notation and Analysis DIP. MDD 105 Play-writing and Dramatic Literature I DIP. MDD 106 Introduction to Music Performance DIP. MDD 107 Dance Performance Skills DIP. MDD 108 Acting skills, Mime and Improvisation Iz |
Semester II Core Courses DIP. MDD 120 Introduction to Radio and Television DIP. MDD 121 Theatre Management and Marketing DIP. MDD 122 Audience Analysis and People's Theatre Elective Courses DIP. MDD 123 Music Composition II DIP. MDD 124 Dance Choreography Notation and Analysis II DIP. MDD 125 Playwriting and Dramatic Literature II DIP. MDD 126 Music Performance I DIP. MDD 127 Theory and Practice of Dance Performing skills II DIP. MDD 128 Theory and Practice of Acting II |
Second Year
| Semester I Core Courses DIP. MDD 200 Introduction to Video/Film Making DIP. MDD 201 Uses of the Performing Arts I DIP. MDD 202 Scientific Basis of the Performing Arts DIP. MDD 203 Music Composition II DIP. MDD 204 Introduction to Movement Analysis and Notation DIP. MDD 205 Playwriting and Dramatic Literature III DIP. MDD 206 Music Performance II DIP. MDD 207 Dance Performing Skills and Performance DIP. MDD 208 Directing I |
Semester II DIP. MDD 220 Research Field work and Festivals DIP. MDD 221 Uses of the Performing Arts II DIP. MDD 222 Theory and Practice of People's Theatre DIP. MDD 223 Music Composition IV DIP. MDD 224 Movement Analysis and Notation DIP MDD 225 Playwriting and Dramatic Literature IV DIP MDD 226 Music Performance I DIP MDD 227 Dance Performance IV DIP MDD 228 Directing II and Stage Management |
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DRAMA (B.A. Drama)
The course aims at producing professional theatre practitioners in acting, directing, and theatre and for development work and stage management: theatre administrators as well as designers and craftsmen and women. The students are trained in practical as well as theoretical works with apprenticeship with theatre groups. They are also trained in Radio, TV broadcasting film writing, production and editing. A student can specialise in any of the fields offered.
First Year
Course description
All courses in the First Year are Core for students offering BA (Drama). Those offering Drama as a subject take DRA 100, 101, 120 and 121.
| Semester I DRA 100 Foundations of Drama and Theatre in Selected World Cultures DRA 101 Introduction to Dramatic Literature of western Arts Forms DRA 102 Philosophy of Art and Aesthetics DRA 103 Sociology of Art DRA 104 Introduction of Aspects to Technical Theatre DRA 105 Introduction to Electronic Media Communication |
Semester II DRA 120 The Conventional Theatre in the Making DRA 121 Introduction to Theatre of the Black experience DRA 122 Psychology of Art DRA 123 Uses of Theatre DRA 124 Introduction to Designed construction of Lighting, Sound Costume Masks and Make up DRA 125 Electronic Media and community Theatre. |
Second Year
B.A. Students Majoring in Drama offer two Core courses and two Electives per Semester. Those doing Drama as a Minor take two Electives while BA (Drama) take all Cores and two Electives.
| Semester I Core Courses DRA 200 African Theatre DRA 201 Western Drama from Greek Classicism to Neo-classicism DRA 202 Theories of Art Criticism Elective Courses DRA 203 Voice and Speech DRA 204 Theory and Practice of Acting I DRA 205 Stage craft I DRA 206 Drama in Education DRA 207 Drama Therapy DRA 208 Creative writing and |
Semester II Core Courses DRA 220 Theatre of the Black Diaspora DRA 221 Study and Experimentation with Technical Theatre since Ancient Greece DRA 222 Research Methods DRA 223 Voice and Speech II Elective Courses DRA 224 Theory and Practice of Acting II DRA 225 Stage Craft II DRA 226 Children's Theatre DRA 227 Puppet Theatre DRA 228 Folklore |
Third Year
B.A (A) Majoring in Drama take DRA 300, 320, and 321 and two electives. Those doing Drama as Minor take two Electives while B.A. (Drama) students offer all Cores and two Electives.
| Semester I Core Courses DRA 300 Uganda Drama and Theatre DRA 301 Post Classicism to Mid 20th Century Western Drama DRA 302 Research Project Elective Courses DRA 303 Theatre Management and Marketing I DRA 304 Production and Directing DRA 305 Play Writing DRA 306 Theatre for Development and PRA I DRA 307 Writing and Production for TV I DRA 308 Film Making and its Theories DRA 309 Stage Management |
Semester II Core courses DRA 320 Study of a Single Dramatist DRA 321 Contemporary Western Drama DRA 322 Production and Performance Analysis DRA 323 Theatre Management and Marketing DRA 324 Production and Directing II DRA 325 Play Writing II DRA 326 Theatre for Development and PRA II DRA 327 Writing Production for TV II DRA 328 Film Making and its Theories II |
BACHELOR OF DANCE
The course aims at training accomplished musicians, dancers and dramatists in performance, composition and research. It is both practical and theoretical. It trains choreographers, dance therapists, dance preservers, analysts, researchers, trainers and performers.
First Year
All courses in the First Year are Core for students offering B.A. (Dance).
| Semester I DNC 100 Choreography I DNC 101 Performance I. DNC 102 Performing Arts in African Culture DNC 103 Psychology of Art |
Semester II DNC 120 Choreography I DNC 122 Performing Arts in Cultures Outside Africa DNC 123 Sociology of Art |
Second Year
| Semester I DNC 200 Dance History DNC 201 Choreography DNC 202 Movement analysis and notation I DNC 203 Performance DNC 204 Dance in Education DNC 205 Introduction to Dance Technique I DNC 206 Philosophy of Dance DNC 207 Dance Therapy DNC 208 Stage Craft I DNC 209 Modern Dance I |
Semester II Core Courses DNC 220 Uganda Dance Forms DNC 221 Research Methods DNC 222 Movement Analysis and Notation II DNC 223 Performance Elective Courses DNC 224 Introduction to Design and Construction of High Sound, Costume and Make Up DNC 225 Children Theatre DNC 226 Modern Dance II DNC 227 Dance in Selected World Cultures DNC 228 Stage Craft II |
Third Year
| Semester I Core Courses DNC 300 Uganda Dance Forms DNC 301 Theatre Management and Marketing I DNC 302 Movement Analysis and Notation DNC 303 Research Project Elective Courses DNC 304 Stage Management DNC 305 Film Making and its Theories DNC 306 Folklore DNC 307 Dance Anthropology DNC 308 Theatre for Development and PRA |
Semester II Core Courses DNC 320 African Dance Forms DNC 321 Theatre Management and Marketing II DNC 322 Movement Analysis and Notation DNC 323 Dance Analysis and Criticism Elective Courses DNC 324 Field work and Festivals DNC 325 Film Making and its Theories II DNC 326 Anatomy and Physiology DNC 327 Theatre for Development and PRA II DNC 328 Integration of Theatre Arts |
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC (B.A. Music)
The programme is intended to respond to the changing music needs nationally and internationally by training composers, ethnomusicologists, music therapists, analysts and researchers. It relates Ugandan music traditions with those of other parts of the world. Students are also trained how to manage music rehearsals and performance and in transcription and preservation of African ethnic music.
List of courses
First Year
| Semester I Core Courses MUS 100 Composition I MUS 101 Introduction to Performance MUS 102 Aural Skills I MUS 103 Introduction to Music history I MUS 104 Introduction to Music analysis I MUS 105 Introduction to Music in selected world cultures I |
Semester II MUS 120 Composition II MUS 121 Performance I MUS 122 Aural Skills II MUS 123 Introduction to Music history II MUS 124 Introduction to Music analysis II MUS 125 Introduction to Music in selected cultures II |
Second Year
| Semester I Core Courses MUS 200 Composition III MUS 201 Music Analysis I MUS 202 Performance II MUS 203 Aural Skills III Electives courses MUS 204 Musicology I MUS 205 Music History I MUS 206 Music Therapy I MUS 207 Aesthetics and Social background of Music I MUS 208 Music in selected world cultures I |
Semester II Core Courses MUS 220 Composition IV MUS 221 Music Analysis II MUS 222 Performance II MUS 203 Aural Skills IV Elective courses MUS 224 Musicology II MUS 225 Music History II MUS 226 Music therapy II MUS 277 Aesthetics social background of Music II MUS 228 Music in selected world cultures II |
Course description
Composition courses (MUS 100, MUS 120 and MUS 200)
Cover the areas of Harmony, Counterpoint, ethnic music formal writing and orchestration.
Performance courses (MUS 101, MUS 121 & MUS 202)
Cover the principles of performance, principles of conducting, instrument playing and choral conducting.
Aural skills courses (MUS 102, MUS 122 & MUS 203)
These courses train the ear in detecting tones, harmonies as well as rhythmic patterns. The student is also equipped with techniques of transcription.
Music History courses (MUS 103, MUS 123, MUS 205)
In music History, the student is provided with an opportunity to study about the origin of music, its development, the important stylistic periods and the development of musical instruments. A study of African music history highlights the important forces that have influenced its development.
Music Analysis courses (MUS 104, MUS 124, MUS 201)
These courses train in score reading, treatment of transposing instruments, formal structure text and music analysis of both western and African folk music.
Music in Selected World Cultures (MUS 105, 125, and 208)
These courses involve a contextual study of music in African communities in which the social roles of music, different traditions and music professionalism are studied.
Third Year
Students take four Core courses and any other two Elective courses per Semester
| Semester I Core Courses MUS 300 Composition V MUS 301 Music Analysis III MUS 302 Performance IV MUS 303 Aural Skills IV Elective Courses MUS 304 Musicology; III MUS 305 Music History III MUS 306 Music therapy III MUS 307 Aesthetics and Social background of Music Studies MUS 308 Music in selected world cultures III |
Semester II Core courses MUS 320 Composition VI MUS 321 Music Analysis IV MUS 322 Performance V MUS 323 Aural Skills VI Elective Courses MUS 324 Musicology IV MUS 325 Music History IV MUS 326 Music Therapy MUS 32 Aesthetics and Social Background of Music IV MUS 328 Music in Selected World Culture IV |
THE SUBJECT OF MUSIC
First Year
All First Year Courses are Core
| Semester I MUS 100 Composition I MUS 101 Introduction to performance MUS 122 (Aud) Aural Skills I |
Semester II MUS 120 Composition II MUS 121 Performance I MUS 122 (Aud) Aural skills II |
Second Year
| Semester I Core courses MUS 200 Composition III MUS 202 Performance II MUS 203 (Aud) Aural skills II Elective courses MUS 201 Music Analysis MUS 204 Musicology I MUS 205 Music History I MUS 206 Music therapy MUS 207 Aesthetics and Social Background of Music I MUS 208 Music in selected world cultures I |
Semester II Core courses MUS 220 Composition IV MUS 222 Performance III MUS 223 Aural skills IV
|
Third Year
| Semester I Core Courses MUS 300 Composition V MUS 302 Performance IV MUS 303 Aural skills IV Elective courses MUS 301 Music Analysis III MUS 304 Musicology III MUS 305 Music History III MUS 306 Music therapy III MUS 307 Aesthetics and Social background of Music III MUS 308 Music in selected world cultures III |
Semester II Core Courses MUS 320 Composition VI MUS 322 Performance V MUS 323 (Aud) Aural skills VI Elective courses MUS 321 Music analysis IV MUS 324 Musicology IV MUS 325 Music History IV MUS 326 Music therapy IV MUS 327 Aesthetics and social background of music IV MUS 328 Music in selected world cultures IV MUS 327 Aesthetics and social background of music IV MUS 328 Music in selected world cultures IV |
THE SUBJECT OF DANCE
First Year
All First Year Courses are Core
| Semester I DNC 102 Introduction to choreography DNC 104 Introduction to Dance performance |
Semester II DNC 124 Performance DNC 122 Choreography |
Second Year
Semester I |
Semester II Core courses DNC 221 Choreography DNC 222 Performance Elective courses DNC 220 Philosophy of Dance DNC 223 Dance Analysis and Criticism DNC 224 Dance History DNC 225 Dance in Selected World Cultures DNC 226 Fieldwork Festivals Adjudication DNC 227 Dance Therapy II DNC 228 Modern and Creative Dance |
Third Year
Semester I |
Semester II Core Courses DNC 322 Performance DNC 323 Dance Analysis and Criticism Elective Courses DNC 320 Dance Anthropology DNC 321 Choreography DNC 324 Introduction to Statistics DNC 325 Dance in selected world cultures DNC 326 Community Based Theatre DNC 327 Stage Design and Costuming DNC 328 Modern/Creative Dance |
THE SUBJECT OF DRAMA
First Year
All First Year Courses are Core
Semester I |
Semester II DRA 120 The Conventional Theatre in the making DRA 121 Introduction to Theatre of the Black Experience DRA 122 Psychology of Art DRA 123 Uses of Theatre |
Second Year
| Semester I Core Courses DRA 200 African Theatre DRA 201 Western drama from Greek Classicism to Neo-Classicism DRA 202 Theories of Art Criticism Elective Courses DRA 203 Voice and Speech I DRA 204 Theory and Practice of Acting I DRA 205 Stage Craft I DRA 206 Drama in Education DRA 207 Drama therapy DRA 208 Creative writing and production for Radio |
Semester II Core courses DRA 220 Theatre of the Black Diaspora DRA 221 Study and Experimentation with Technical Theatre since ancient Greece (Pr) Elective Courses DRA 222 Research Methods DRA 223 Voice and Speech II (Pr) DRA 224 Theory and Practice of Acting II (Pr) DRA 225 Stage Craft II (Pr) DRA 226 Children's Theatre (Pr) DRA 227 Puppet Theatre DRA 228 Folklore |
Third Year
|
Semester I |
Semester II Core Courses DRA 320 Study of a Single Dramatist's literary DRA 321 Contemporary Western Drama (Pr) Elective Courses DRA 322 Production and Performance Analysis DRA 324 Production and Directing II (Pr) DRA 325 Play Writing II (Pr) DRA 326 Theatre for Development and PRA II (Pr) DRA 327 Writing and Production for Television II (Pr) DRA328 Film Making and its Theories II (Pr) |