Bachelor of Arts in Irish Dance Course content
Key information
In the first year of the course will focus and develop your own traditional dance practice in weekly classes, masterclasses from visiting performers, ensemble work, as well as being introduced to other dance practices such as contemporary dance and ballet. You will also be introduced to critical academic engagement with classical, popular, traditional, contemporary, world music and dance through a performative lens.
From second year onwards, you will deepen your focus on Irish dance. Students will undertake additional specialist modules in Irish music and dance studies and ethnomusicology/ethnochoreology as well as focusing on vocational issues in technology, business and education.
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
Semester 1
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4101 | Performance 1A |
| MD4091 | Irish World Academy Practicum C1 |
| MU4001 | Critical Encounters with Irish Music and Dance |
| MU4011 | Critical Encounters with World Music and Dance |
Semester 2
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4102 | Performance 2A |
| MD4111 | Irish World Academy Practicum C2 |
| MU4012 | Critical Encounters with Western Art Music and Dance |
| MU4002 | Critical Encounters with Popular Music and Dance |
Semester 3
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4103 | Performance 3A |
| MD4092 | Irish World Academy Practicum C3 |
| MD4081 | Irish Music and Dance Studies |
| MD4113 | Performing Arts Technology |
Semester 4
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4124 | Performance 4A |
| MD4112 | Irish World Academy Practicum C4 |
| MD4134 | Experiential Anatomy and Movement Analysis |
| MD4034 | Contextualising and Vocational Studies 3 |
Semester 5
Cooperative Education
In their 3rd year, Irish World Academy performing arts students go on ‘co-op’, a university-wide module specifically designed for undergraduates to engage in real-world, professional environments. The Cooperative Education division, in consultation with the Academy, helps students to identify working opportunities in a variety of contexts, including arts management, education, performance, media and related fields. Students are encouraged to set up their own six-month placements or to engage in split placements (ideally no more than two placements) in order to explore if their expectations for future careers match the experiences they have during the co-op period. Faculty visits, pre- and post- co-op assessment skills, and final report help students to reflect upon the process, enabling them to critically evaluate their time off campus
Semester 6 (Optional international exchange available)
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4106 | Performance 5A |
| MD4116 | Irish World Academy Practicum C5 |
| MU4106 | Arts and Health |
| MU4013 | Research Skills: Ethnomusicology/ Ethnochoreology/ Arts Practice |
Semester 7
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4137 | Performance 6A |
| MD4147 | Irish World Academy Practicum C6 |
| MD4157 | Irish World Academy Final Year Project 1 |
| MU4007 | Professional Skills for the Performing Arts |
Semester 8
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4118 | Performance 7A |
| MD4128 | Irish World Academy Practicum C7 |
| MD4138 | Irish World Academy Final Year Project 2 |
| MD4148 | Dance Pedagogy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a complete beginner do this course?
You need to have experience in Irish dance before embarking on this course.
Do I have to be able to perform in other disciplines represented at the Academy?
No. In the case of Irish Dance you need to show proficiency in that area. However, an open mind and a willingness to engage with other genres and disciplines is also a requirement.
Do I share the same course as students in other disciplines?
You will take academic and vocationally focused modules alongside students from the other BA programmes (both dancers and musicians), and you will have the opportunity to engage with other performance genres beyond Irish dance through the dedicated performance and practicum modules.
What teachers will I have?
Each student benefits from weekly instruction delivered by accomplished dancers and tutors with extensive experience in both teaching and performance. In addition, masterclasses are offered throughout each semester by visiting dance artists representing a diverse range of professional backgrounds and practices.
Will I get the chance to do work experience in an area that I am interested in?
Yes, each student has the opportunity to gain work experience in their area of interest in semester 5 during their Co-operative Education placement, i.e. semester 2 of 3rd year.
Will I get the chance to study abroad?
Yes. Each student is given the option of studying at a number of institutions around the world for semester 6, i.e. semester 2 of 3rd year.
Is this solely a performance programme?
No, you will also engage in academic classes. Performance and academic studies are equally important. This gives you more career opportunities upon completing the course.
What does the audition consist of?
Auditions normally take place at the beginning of April or in mid-July for late applicants and ‘change-of-mind’ applications although the Academy is flexible if applicants have difficulty with these dates. In auditions students should show a good standard of performance. We require our traditional dancers to perform either:
Competitive style: 3 pieces, one hard-shoe, one soft-shoe and one of your own choice in any style
or
sean-nós: 3 pieces – one reel time percussive piece, one percussive piece in another rhythm, one of your own choice in any style
Further information can be found at www.irishworldacademy.ie
