• Programmes
• The Academy
• Academic Reflection
• Performance
• Outreach
• Residencies
• Events
• Search
• Home

• Academy Ethos
• Academic Staff
• Administrative Staff
• Research Postgraduates
• New Building Designs
• Instrumental music
• Vocal Music
• Dance
• Traditional Arts
• Elective System
• Student Handbook (Pdf)
• Contact the Academy

Postgraduate Student Elective System...

 

The Irish World Academy Elective System involves:

• A self-directed area of study, designed in consultation with the Course Director and the elective module supervisor.

 

Elective Principles:

• The elective module allows students to initiate self-directed study as a means of (1) deepening one’s knowledge/expertise within a primary specialisation  (2) developing skills and knowledge in a secondary area of specialisation (3) engaging in creative, cross-platform study/performance through a combination of a variety of areas.


• The elective module allows for a variety of project presentation and has negotiable internal assessment weighting, encouraging the student to propose a form of presentation most suitable to the project and the educational journey, as well as a form of assessment capable of accurately evaluating the outcomes.


• The design of the elective module is sensitive to the specialist requirements of various music and dance genres. 

 

Elective Criteria:

• The student will demonstrate the ability to choose, develop and refine an elective topic in consultation with the Course Director and the elective module supervisor.


• The student will demonstrate the undertaking of tasks consistent with the topic and contributing to the final product.


• The final project will be convincing in its achievement of the goals of the project. 


• The student will provide evidence of understanding the scope and limitations of their achievement of the project and will demonstrate critical reflection on this process.

 

Elective Areas of Study:

• A student may choose a topic within the programme area for which he/she is registered


• A student may choose a topic related to any of the other taught programmes available at the centre (subject to availability). These areas include:

• Chant and Ritual Song
• Classical String Performance
• Community Music
• Contemporary Dance Performance
• Ethnochoreology
• Ethnomusicology
• Irish Traditional Dance Performance
• Irish Traditional Music Performance
• Music Education
• Music Therapy

Aspects of particular programmes will be made available as elective options during specifically indicated semester times.Proposals for areas outside of the Irish World Academy, such as Music Technology, will be considered but will depend on the availability of resources within other colleges.Proposals related to specialist research being conducted by Irish World Academy research students or staff will also be considered.

 

Elective Pathways:

In order to facilitate groupings of students around certain key areas of selection, Elective Pathways have been introduced.  They may change from year to year but it is expected that pathway programmes will be available in such areas as:

• Irish Traditional Fiddle Performance
• Composition
• Research Methods

 

Elective Performance:

• Where an elective project involves a performance as a full or partial component of the project, the performance should include programme notes and, where agreed , some verbal, introductory remarks. Extended written submissions or verbal presentations related to the performance should be presented to the Course Director and elective supervisor as a separate aspect of the elective assessment and not feature as a part of the performance.  


• The time of the performance should be strictly monitored. The recommended performance time for an elective performance is no more than twenty minutes and no less than five (unless a student has requested and been granted a longer time period).


• In the case of group or ensemble electives, where a number of students are being assessed, a longer time period may be requested.


• Full details of performance requirements must be submitted to Ellen Byrne (Performance Co-ordinator) by Friday of Week 10.

 

Elective Modules and the Final Presentation:

• While the elective module may be related to the final presentation, or feature as a component, it must receive an independent assessment grade.

 

Elective Form:

• The Elective Form is a contract, which exists between the student and the Irish World Academy, University of Limerick.


• The contract agreed should contain details of the proposed project, the process through which the final project will be realised, the number of student meetings with the Course Director and elective supervisor (approximately six), resources available, agreed lectures/seminars to be audited,  project feasibility, educational objectives, final project.


• Assessment may take a variety of forms including written submissions / performance / composition / improvisation / presentations or a combination of any of the above. In the case of combination assessment, the internal assessment weighting should be carefully considered and clearly indicated on the elective form.


• All Elective forms must be signed and given to the Course Director by Friday of Week 3.


• Students will be allowed to revise their proposed assessment weightings up to Friday of  Week 6.

 

31 January, 2008