News

Performance and puppetry introduced to DCU's Communications courses

Karen Sutton, DCU Communications graduate, who completed her final year thesis in puppetry in 2009

The study of puppetry as a method of communication will be offered to DCU students from September 2011, it was announced today, Thursday 23 June.

It is part of a new ‘performance’ learning strand which will allow students to explore and apply live arts as a means of communication on its BA in Communication Studies.  The new strand is being offered to students on the second and third years of the programme, who currently have a choice of audio, video, and photography modules.

This addition of a performance strand to the Communication Studies programme is unique to DCU. It not only provides for those interested in pursuing a career directly in that field, but will provide communication skills that focus on creativity, a vital element of knowledge and innovation.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell, lecturer on the BA in Communications Studies programme, who will also lecture on the new performance strand, said that it would provide opportunities to test communication theories in a new sphere of practice. She said: "The new strand is aimed at people who want to build a capacity to communicate not just through print, video and audio, but through personal expression and creativity. It's about using the arts and culture to communicate important ideas about who we are as human beings."

Head of the School of Communications, Patrick Kinsella, said that this new strand of teaching builds on the School's growing research interest in live arts and performance as a means of communication.

With module titles such as  Introduction to Performance, Puppetry and Communication, Rhetoric and Persuasion, and The Human Voice, the new elements will focus on inquiry and creative self-expression through drama, poetry, satire and the use of music.

DCU already has a strong background in the area of performance, being the home of The Helix and The National Chamber Choir and host to the International Puppet Festival, Ireland.

Last year about 85 students were offered places in the BACS. This year the offer is being raised to 100 to accommodate the new performance strand.