DTV3301 Art of oral storytelling Course description

Oral storytelling art is an artistic form of expression that is mainly performed as a stage solo expression. Oral storytelling takes place as an open and direct interaction between the storyteller and the listeners. The goal of the study is to provide a fundamental introduction to the practice, distinctiveness, theory, and artistic function of oral storytelling in contemporary time. The subject is suitable for anyone who wishes to express themselves artistically through oral storytelling in various contexts such as on stage, in a library, at a museum, in school, and similar settings. Oral storytelling is a practice-oriented subject.

If there is available capacity, the subject can be offered as a single course enrollment.

The subject is divided into three main areas with a strong emphasis on the development of the student's artistic and professional proficiency in oral storytelling.

These areas are:

- Artistic practice

- Performance

- Theory

There are compulsory assignments associated with each of these areas.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced knowledge of their area of study and can identify relevant issues to clarify the need for research and professional development
• has in-depth knowledge of the research process

Skills

The student

• can analyse relevant theories and issues to initiate a research, quality or development project
• can use relevant research methods in their own work
• can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them in scholarly arguments in their own research, quality or development project
• can carry out a limited, independent research, quality or development project in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics

General competence

The student

• can communicate relevant issues, analyses and conclusions from their own research, quality or development project to both the general public and academia
• can contribute to new thinking, innovation processes and evidence-based practice in the health services and in health-promoting work

After completing this subject, the student will have the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

• The student:Is familiar with the distinctiveness and history of oral storytelling.
• Has fundamental knowledge of central artistic methods and theories in oral storytelling.
• Has knowledge of narratives, forms of expression, and techniques.
• Understands the relationship between processes in target audiences, contemporary times, and narratives.
• Has knowledge of artistic practice as an exploration of oral storytelling.
• Is familiar with artistic research as a research method.
• Has insight into relevant results from research and developmental work from both national and international perspectives.

Skills

The student:

• Can make their own artistic choices based on the distinctiveness of oral storytelling.
• Can develop and perform storytelling performances for various target audiences.
• Can master relevant artistic techniques through the performance of oral storytelling.
• Can document and discuss their own professional practice in oral storytelling and adjust it under guidance.
• Can organize storytelling projects for specific target audiences.
• Can evaluate their own work as a storyteller in artistic practice.
• Can develop their own storytelling practice in an artistic context.
• Can utilize research as a foundation for their own storytelling practice.

General Competence

The student:

• Can plan and execute artistic projects and assess relevant issues based on the distinctiveness of oral storytelling.
• Can utilize and evaluate artistic tools and techniques in the development of their own artistic projects.
• Can reflect on and explain their own and others' artistic choices in a storytelling performance.
• Can analyze, discuss, and communicate their own and others' work in oral storytelling.
• Can apply oral storytelling as a method in a public context based on ethical and aesthetic criteria.
• Can independently use forms of documentation as a basis for further discussion in oral storytelling.
• Can reflect on, analyze, and discuss artistic choices and contribute to the development of good storytelling practice.
• Can convey central topics from oral storytelling both in writing, orally, and through relevant forms of expression.

Learning takes place together with others. Therefore, it requires that the student is present and familiar with the content of the teaching. The subject is largely process-oriented and builds on the student's own activity.

The subject emphasizes the practical side of the field by enabling the student to tell stories and facilitate storytelling situations.

During the course of study, the student will encounter the following teaching and learning methods:

• Courses/workshops
• Seminars
• Artistic project work
• Instruction
• Self-study
• Oral and artistic presentations
• Artistic lectures
• Presentations
• Performances

All coursework and mandatory attendance must be fulfilled and approved before students can present themselves for the exam.

Coursework Requirements

• Conduct eight informal storytelling sessions in the local community and present a short log from these eight sessions as an oral presentation.
• Conduct six storytelling sessions/performances in a public context.- Observe five storytelling performances by professional storytellers.
• Plan, execute, and present an artistic storytelling practice focused on a specific theme for 15 hours, carried out individually.
• Prepare a written note reflecting and discussing their own practice experience in relation to central theory.

Coursework is assessed as approved/not approved. Unapproved coursework can be improved and resubmitted for reassessment.

Mandatory Attendance

Students cannot have more than 20% absence in teaching and supervision situations where attendance is required. This includes:

• Artistic practice
• Public storytelling situations
• Instruction

Refer to the teaching plans for further information about mandatory teaching and supervision.

The exam in the course is twofold:

1. Individual Assessment of the Student in a Storytelling Performance

Based on practice and theory, the student shall create a performance lasting 20 minutes.

- Preparation time: Three weeks.

- The artistic expression has a duration of 20 minutes.

- The exam is defined as an oral/practical exam and therefore cannot be appealed. The assessment of the artistic solo expression counts for 80% of the final grade.

2. An Oral Hearing

After the artistic exam, an oral hearing is conducted. In the oral hearing, the student shall explain their practice, choices in the artistic solo expression, and discuss their work in relation to theory.

- Duration: 15 minutes.

- The assessment counts for 20% of the final grade.

Examination Details

- The exam is defined as an oral/practical exam and therefore cannot be appealed.

- Both parts of the exam must be assessed with a grade of E or better for the student to receive a final grade.

- The two parts of the final exam provide one final grade. This will be shown on the transcript/diploma.

Valid absence/ fail

Students who, due to valid absence, do not take one or more partial exams included in the ordinary exam or receive a grade of F in one or more parts included in such an exam, can register for a new/postponed exam.

- For a postponed exam in part 1, this is taken by agreement with the study administration. One week of preparation time is given.

- For a new/postponed exam in part 2, this is taken by agreement with the study administration. Three weeks of preparation time is given.

Students are responsible for contacting the study administration themselves.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Language of instruction: Norwegian/English

Under supervision, the students will conduct an independent research, quality improvement or development project, or a literature study. Students can choose to write the master’s thesis individually or in pairs. On application, large, interdisciplinary innovation projects can be written in groups of up to four students. Students can also apply to write the master’s thesis with students from other specialisations if they so wish, provided that the scope of the master’s thesis is the same. If more than one student work on the master’s thesis together, each student’s contributions must be documented. The thesis can be written as a monograph or as a scientific article on a specialised topic.

MAVIT4070/MAxxx4070 must be passed before the master's thesis can begin.

All compulsory courses in the programme must be passed before the student can submit their master's thesis for assessment.

Work and teaching methods used in the course are self-study, presentations at 2-3 master’s seminars and an offer of 15 hours’ supervision per thesis, regardless of whether it is written individually or in a group.

The seminars are an arena for sharing experience from all stages of the project work. Students will take part in academic discussion and practise structuring and wording academic argumentation and communicating constructive criticism. Presenting their work, giving feedback to fellow students, and receiving feedback from fellow students and teachers, are important parts of the seminars.

The supervision agreement is signed by the students and supervisors at the start of the supervision.

When a group of students work together, an overview of each student’s individual contribution must be enclosed with the assignment.