Subject details

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate understanding of The Arts as cultural enterprises in terms of their significance and role in life, society and education with particular consideration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts practices
  2. apply the principles of authentic arts learning through experiential learning in dance, drama and music education where the emphasis is on creative thinking, self-expression, meaning-making and communication of ideas by diverse learners
  3. demonstrate a foundation of arts literacy competency for teaching through a personal investment in performing-arts making and responding activities
  4. appraise the nature of learning in the Arts and the significance of this learning for diverse learners in the educational context
  5. develop presentation and communication skills through dance, drama and music to become a confident and effective performer and communicator.

  • Topics

    • Arts as forms of praxis for exploration, creation and expression
    • Why are the arts valued in education? Research and rationale
    • What are authentic learning experiences in the arts? Children's developmental growth and education through arts engagement
    • What is meaning-making in the arts? - Drama literacy - concepts and skills
    • Narrative and self-concept. Story telling in Drama
    • Drama as making and responding
    • What is meant by creativity and self-expression? Music literacy - concepts and skills
    • Singing and its cultural significance - song writing
    • Percussion - Performing, recording and sharing your song
    • Kinaesthetic knowing. Dance literacy - concepts and skills
    • Dance and diversity. Critical review of a dance performance
    • Choreographing, performing and reflecting

Entry Requirements

Equivalent Subjects

You cannot enrol in this unit if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject was previously known as EDC161 Performing Arts for Educators.

This is the first of two Arts Education subjects. It introduces The Arts Learning Area subjects of Dance, Drama and Music and positions The Arts in a cultural context. The value and role of The Arts in children’s developmental growth and education is elucidated. The centrality of inquiry-based and praxis-led learning in dance, drama and music, that emphasizes creative thinking, self-expression, meaning-making and communicating ideas, is explored. Performing-arts praxis, reflection and appreciation activities provide experiential learning opportunities designed to promote personal confidence, arts literacy and presentation and communication skills in the performing arts – and for teaching. Within a lifelong learning framework, direct experience and personal investment in arts learning is intended to develop content knowledge.

Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.

Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.

  • Drama Making & Responding plus Learning ReflectionPort (40%)
  • Music Making & Responding Dance Making & Responding plus Learning Reflection (60%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

View textbooks

Related degrees

undergraduate CUR-BED-DEG-2019

Bachelor of Education Primary Education