Master’s Specialization III (MUK503)
Master's specialisation I-III is the central main discipline course in the programme. It is defined by the individual student's master's project and is linked to the student's independent performing or creative practice. It also has a critical, exploratory component.
Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
MUK503
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
25
Semester tution start
Spring
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Spring
Language of instruction
Norwegian
Note
Course does not start before spring 2027
Content
The content of the courses Master's specialisation I, II and III is centred on the student's individual work and self-development as an artist. The self-defined master's project, which is linked to performing and/or creative artistic practice, forms the core of the master's programme. The master's project must be an independent, critical and exploratory endeavour with a clear focus.
The master's project will have its own distinctive character depending on the subject area, i.e. classical music (including conducting), jazz/improvisation or dance art. In music, it may be linked to a theme, a stylistic direction, a genre, a repertoire area, a historical epoch, contemporary contexts, different traditions, forms of communication and expression, practice-focused work, an in-depth study of a practical performance issue, or a theoretical perspective. In the field of dance, this may involve practices such as improvisation, performance, repertoire, choreography, community out-reach, somatics, various dance genres, pedagogy, dance art for children and young people, visual or textual practices.
An important part of the work will be linked to the further development of the student's artistic expressiveness, craftsmanship and communication skills. In addition, it will be important to place the performing/creative work with and in a relevant theoretical framework. Here, the courses Art Theory and Methods and Society and Communication will support the master's project. The form and content of the final result will vary depending on the nature of the project, but must contain a combination of artistic expression and reflection. Students are also encouraged to place their specialisation project in an international perspective.
Joint activities in the course will be organised in the form of subject-specific seminars and interdisciplinary master's forums, where students share artistic work/sub-results and respond to each other's presentations. The students also participate in the faculty's artistic research forum, where subject teachers present their research and development projects.
In Master's specialisation III, the student continues to work systematically on his/her development as a performing/creative artist and completes the master's project.
Learning outcome
A candidate who has completed and passed the course will have acquired knowledge, skills and general competences that enable them to:
Knowledge
- have in-depth knowledge of artistic approaches, methods, techniques and theory related to the chosen theme/area.
- have advanced knowledge of the professional field in which the project is placed.
Skills
- use relevant methods for artistic research in an independent manner and with a greater degree of maturity compared to Master's specialisation II.
- Be able to carry out artistic projects, realise and communicate their artistic intentions with a distinctive personal expression.
General competence
- be able to plan, carry out and evaluate an independent, limited specialisation project under supervision with a high degree of professionalism.
- demonstrate communication skills, reflection and innovation and an independent and mature artistic expression at a professional level.
The criteria for progress compared to the Master's specialisation II are largely based on experience and tacit knowledge, and a higher level of knowledge will primarily be reflected in a higher degree of maturity and deeper recognition in the artistic presentation.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
---|---|---|---|---|
Practical oral presentation | 1/1 | Passed / Not Passed |
Master's specialisation III concludes with a combination of artistic expression and reflection. The format/length of the individual project is determined in consultation with the supervisory team. The master's project must reflect a high artistic level and the degree of independence, depth and difficulty required at master's level. The project description must be submitted to the examining committee. The reflection text and any other elements of the finished presentation will be posted and made available in an earmarked area of the Research Catalogue. The presentation is followed by an open feedback sequence and then a closed conversation with the examiners where the candidate is given the opportunity to answer questions, elaborate on aspects of the work and receive feedback. The examiners assess the level of the work based on both the artistic quality of the project and the student's ability to reflect.
Coursework requirements
- Approved attendance and participation in teaching activities (incl. Master's Forum) are determined in consultation between the student and the supervisory team at the beginning of the academic year and are otherwise in accordance with the regulations on attendance requirements at the Faculty of Performing Arts (UK).
- Approved progress report with documentation of completed supervision and teaching and link to recordings of completed presentations/artistic work samples.
- Approved presentations/artistic work samples. The main supervisor makes an individual overall assessment of the student's efforts and academic level throughout the course.
- Submitted exposition in the Research Catalogue no later than two weeks before the practical-oral presentation.
Course teacher(s)
Study Adviser:
Lena Crosby HaugCourse coordinator:
Olaf EggestadStudy Adviser:
Anne Siri NorlandMethod of work
The main part of the courses Master's specialisation I-III is the student's independent planning and implementation of the artistic master's project.
Regardless of art form and genre, the project must be followed up with supervision. A team of supervisors is appointed for each student, normally consisting of a main supervisor and one or more co-supervisors. This may include instrumental teachers or other artistic supervisors and theoretical supervisors, depending on the nature of the master's project. For music students, the supervisory team may also include an accompanist where relevant. In special cases, the supervisory team may be supplemented with an external supervisor. At the start of the programme, a supervision agreement is drawn up between the student, the supervisors and the Faculty of Performing Arts. It specifies how the supervision resource is distributed between the supervisors and how each supervisor will assist with the master's project. In the event of changes to the project that affect the role of the supervisors, the supervision agreement must be revised.
In addition to one-to-one teaching and supervision, group teaching and subject-specific seminars may be included in the course where this is natural in relation to the nature of the project.
Part of the teaching will take place in the form of master's forums, where the students present their projects to each other, and in artistic research forums, where the subject teachers present their research and development projects. Participation in and presentations at various academic forums and research networks may also be included.
The student is responsible for the progression of the master's project and must make regular appointments with and submit material to the supervisory team (work samples, recordings, notes, written work, etc.), so that the progression is maintained. Documentation of completed supervision and teaching, recordings of presentations and artistic work samples on Canvas form the basis for the semester evaluation and progress report that is approved by the supervisory team. Students must adhere to the information posted on Canvas. Completed teaching activities are logged and approved in Canvas.