Bachelor of Performing Arts

Code	Course Description
BPAC 4000	Contemporary Cultural Practices This interdisciplinary course examines pivotal movements in Western art and performance during the modernist period of the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. Through analysis of historical and socioeconomic contexts, students explore how artistic disciplines coexist and influence each other. Students identify and examine the parameters and principles behind the paradigm shift that led to new artistic concepts and innovative forms in music, film, video, theatre, dance, writing and visual arts. Students will consider philosophical and political approaches to making art, as well as the practice of key individual artists. Issues such as the “autonomy of artwork,” the materiality of performance, simultaneity, juxtaposition, collage/montage, and notions of representation will be examined in detail. The goal is to expand the student’s knowledge of performance history, and to draw inspiration and practical knowledge from the work of artists.
BPAC 4001	Canadian Cultural Policy and the Performing Arts This course provides an overview of public and private arts funding in Canada, including its historical development, institutional structures and the formulation and execution of municipal, provincial and federal policies. Students will focus on the status of the artist in the contemporary cultural performance milieu through the exploration of institutional and governmental acts, policies, reports, objectives, strategic initiatives and programs. Students will also examine the interplay of forces that influence and shape public arts policy. Through this process they will gain important insights into how public, foundation, private funding and earned revenue can be harnessed to enable meaningful arts production.
BPAC 4002	Advanced Production Planning I This course will broaden the areas of expertise for Bachelor of Performing Arts students by offering instruction in several advanced production planning skills specialties. The skills will vary from year to year depending on the needs of the cohort and may be selected from the following topics: Marketing and Social Media; Cue-based software systems; Projection Design; Composition and Sound Design; Technical Skills (Lighting and Scenic Painting); Visual Design Themes (Costumes, Make-up, Masks); Stage Management and Rehearsal and Performance Procedures.
BPAC 4003	Studies in Interdisciplinary Creation and Collaboration In this course, students will gain experience in the collaborative creation of interdisciplinary work. Students will be exposed to the techniques, aesthetics and priorities of different performance art forms with a focus on finding ways to create work that weaves together the skills and experience of all the members of the cohort. All members of the cohort will be involved in regular creation of short performance pieces. Students will also be expected to research and present the work and practice of local, national and international interdisciplinary artists to the class. By the end of the term, students should have a deeper understanding of a range of possible approaches to the creation and development of original performance. Students will also extend their experiential knowledge beyond their specific discipline. All of the above are in preparation for the festival production work of the final term. Guest lecturers and workshop leaders may be used to provide additional expertise. The course will be structured according to the specific needs of the individual cohort members and the skills that the cohort members can bring to the course.
BPAC 4004	Contemporary Performance Practices This interdisciplinary course extends the exploration begun in BPAC 4000. Using several theoretical frameworks, students identify and analyze factors that created a new arts climate after the Second World War, with an emphasis on what is known as “the performative turn” of the 1960s and its repercussions in the following decades. Students will critically engage with the work of artists from this “postmodern” period, including artists who are currently practicing. The course surveys art movement across disciplines with a focus on hybrid or interdisciplinary performance.
BPAC 4005	Advanced Production Planning II This course will broaden the areas of expertise for Bachelor of Performing Arts students by offering instruction in several advanced production planning skills specialties more focused on producing. The skills will vary from year to year depending on the needs of the cohort and may be selected from the following topics: Budgeting; Production Management; Production Scheduling; Symposium workshops with local Producers and Company Managers.
BPAC 4006	Strategic Career Planning This course provides students with knowledge of critical aspects of the Canadian infrastructure and the tools necessary to make informed choices in strategic career planning. The course includes a review of Canadian municipal, provincial and federal cultural infrastructures and funding bodies. Throughout, students explore the interaction between the individual performing artist and Canadian cultural institutions and learn how to network effectively and make professional connections. Knowledge and skills learned will include preparation of contracts, appropriate use of copyright law, interview techniques, publicity and marketing elements.
BPAC 4007	Interdisciplinary Performance and Production Students will create a company to produce an original interdisciplinary performance. Students demonstrate an understanding of the core concepts of the business of the performing arts by fulfilling all requirements of production and performance including creation of original material, planning and execution of the performing arts by fulfilling all requirements of production and performance including creating of original material, planning and execution of technical elements, marketing, booking, budgeting and financial management. Each cohort will create a unique performance production. Students will be involved in planning, including individual projects, programming and overall technical design elements; budgeting and revised planning; rehearsal, technical preparation, and development of marketing strategies; application of marketing strategies; performance(s) and debriefing, assessment, and evaluation.