Example drama dissertation topic 7:

An analysis of the work of Dorothy Heathcote relating to drama as a learning medium.

Born in 1926 Dorothy Heathcote was an advocate of drama as a learning medium throughout her professional life. She died aged 85 in 2011. Noting the importance of Dorothy’s three Rs (rigour’ realisation and responsibility)’ this dissertation evaluates the on-going contribution that her theories of drama in learning have in primary school classes today. Interviewing PGCE practitioners’ existing teachers and dram workshop co-ordinators’ this is a dissertation that not only reviews the theories espoused by Dorothy Heathcote but also contextualises them with reference to existent dominant pedagogical trends: a dissertation that cross academic disciplines’ this would ideally suit a drama student who wishes to pursue a career in teaching.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• O’Toole’ J. and O’Mara’ J. (2007). Proteus’ the giant at the door: Drama and theater in the curriculum. International Handbook of Research in Arts Education’ 16′ pp. 203-218.
• Taylor’ P. (2006). Power and privilege: Re-envisioning the qualitative research lens. In’ Ackroyd’ J. (ed.) Research methodologies for drama education. Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham’ pp. 1-14.
• Wagner’ B.J. (1999) Dorothy Heathcote: Drama as a learning medium. Portland’ ME: Calendar Islands Publishers.