Example drama dissertation topic 2:

Foucault’ space and primary school drama workshops.

This dissertation firstly contextualises the place of drama within the primary classroom with reference to both the KSI and KS2 curriculums and the opportunities for cross-curricular learning. Thereafter’ it discusses the practical difficulties of drama within primary schools as a consequence of a lack of space’ resources’ and specific teacher training and development in the discipline. Finally’ building upon the seminal work of Pike’ it applies the theories of Foucault to meanings of space and the development of relationships – along with issues of power inherent therein’ to primary children’s experiences of drama – suggesting that the nature of drama experience embarked upon and the individual spatiality that it involves’ plays an important part in the social relationships that occur within drama lessons and activities.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Edmiston’ B. (2008)Mountains’ ships’ and time-machines: Making space for creativity and learning with dramatic inquiry in a primary school. Columbus’ OH: Ohio State University.
• Franks’ A. (1997). Drama’ desire and schooling: Drives to learning in creative and expressive school subjects. Changing English’ 4(1)’ pp. 131-147.
• Pike’ J. (2008). Foucault’ space and primary school dining rooms.Children’s Geographies’ 6(4)’ pp. 413-422.