Educational Theory and Practice in Performing Arts
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PPU) in Dance is a one-year course for dancers and choreographers who wish to work as dance teachers and instructors. The programme qualifies the student to teach in primary and secondary schools, adult education, folk high schools, cultural schools and private ballet schools. The PPU in dance provides in-depth knowledge of the teaching of classical ballet, contemporary dance and jazz dance. Applicants with backgrounds in other forms of dance can also apply. The study includes 12-14 weeks of integrated supervised practical training.
Educational theory deals with the science of teaching, education and development, providing knowledge and increased capacity for reflection on the role of the teacher in preparation for practice.
The curriculum covers:
- Psychology: developmental psychology, relationships, communication, learning and motivation.
- Philosophy: various justifications for and focal concerns of upbringing and education, ethics and value consciousness.
- Sociology: society, culture, group processes and interaction.
- Theory of education/teaching: the what, why and how of teaching – curricula and assessment work.
Subject-related teaching theory deals with different approaches to and perspectives on the teaching of various target groups in a range of learning contexts. Primary goals include gaining experience and feedback and collecting suitable material relevant to the planning, implementation and evaluation of lessons. Students will work with a wide variety of teachers.
Themes of the course include:
- Play, creativity and imaginative work with children.
- Interaction, improvisation and composition.
- Basic dance techniques (classical ballet, jazz dance, modern/contemporary dance).
- Dance teaching in depth: classical ballet, jazz dance, modern/contemporary dance.
In practice training students gain experience of different aspects of the teaching profession. Working together with practice supervisors, students receive instruction in how to plan, organise, implement and assess lessons in accordance with pedagogical and educational principles. The practice training is conducted with trial classes of different ages and is primarily/normally geared toward cultural schools/private ballet schools and secondary schools.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PPU) in both theatre and dance is led professionally and administratively by the department of dance.
Curriculum
Curriculum not available in English. Language of instruction is Norwegian.
Course Structure
| Course code | Course name | ECTS Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PPU800 | Pedagogy | 30 |
| PPU802 | Teaching theory for specific subject matter - dance | 30 |
| PPU803 | Teaching theory for specific subject matter - theatre | 30 |
| PPU804 | Teaching theory for specific subject matter - musical theatre | 30 |
| PPU801 | Teaching practice | 0 |
Admissions
The application deadline is 01 April 2025. Admission opens two months before the application deadline.
About the Academy of Dance
The Academy of Dance was founded in 1979 as the National College of Ballet and Dance (Statens ballettskole). Since 1996 it has been part of Oslo National Academy of the Arts (Kunsthøgskolen i Oslo), which brings students of different disciplines together to form a broad, international community of arts and artistic skills. The unique facilities at the National Academy of the Arts, including well-equipped stages and studios, mean that students at the Academy of Dance have excellent opportunities to develop in a state-of-the-art working environment.