Sierra Leone Senior Secondary School Syllabus - Social & Cultural Studies: Everyday Subjects (Music, Dance, and Drama)

This syllabus outlines the curriculum for Music, Dance, and Drama Studies within the Social & Cultural Studies stream of the Sierra Leone Senior Secondary School system. It aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of these art forms, fostering both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Music

The Music syllabus emphasizes both Western art music traditions and indigenous Sierra Leonean music. It encourages students to actively participate in music-making, developing skills in playing instruments, singing, composing, and appreciating diverse musical genres.

Key Features:

• Dual Focus: Balances Western and African musical contexts, recognizing the importance of cultural relevance in music education.
• Holistic Development: Promotes cognitive and psychological development through listening, playing, composing, and movement.
• Practical Skills: Includes instruction on playing both indigenous and Western instruments, singing, and music notation.
• Cultural Awareness: Explores the music of Sierra Leone and other cultures, fostering an appreciation for diverse musical expressions.
• Industry Awareness: Covers the music entertainment industry, including musicians' rights and copyright.

Syllabus Structure (Three-Year Cycle):

The syllabus is structured around nine themes, including the place of music in human development, musical instruments, elements of music, keyboard skills, musical notation and theory, composing, listening and appreciation, African music, and an industry attachment. The three-year cycle progressively builds upon these themes, culminating in performances, presentations, and a portfolio showcasing student work.

Dance

The Dance syllabus focuses on developing students' understanding and appreciation of dance as an art form, encompassing its historical and cultural significance, fundamental principles, and diverse genres. It encourages students to explore dance through both practical experience and theoretical analysis.

Key Features:

• Cultural Heritage: Examines the history and cultural heritage of dance, both globally and within Sierra Leone.
• Movement Skills: Develops students' movement dynamics, techniques, improvisation skills, and physical control.
• Dance Artistry: Focuses on technical proficiency, musicality, stylistic nuance, and choreographic intent.
• Genre Exploration: Introduces students to a wide range of dance genres, including ballet, contemporary, modern, tap, concert, hip-hop, funk, African traditional, African urban, Latin, and ballroom.
• Performance and Production: Covers aspects of dance performance, including costume design, stage presence, and technical production.

Syllabus Structure (Three-Year Cycle):

The syllabus covers the historical and cultural heritage of dance, dance fundamentals and principles, artistry in dance performance, various dance genres and their compositions, dance creation and choreography, performance techniques, dance ethics and principles, and an internship with a dance studio or instructor.

Dance Performance and Appreciation

This syllabus is similar to the Dance syllabus but with a greater emphasis on practical performance and appreciation of various dance genres.

Key Features:

• Fundamentals and Principles: Introduces students to the fundamental principles of dance, including movement dynamics, techniques, and elements of composition.
• Genre Exploration: Covers a wide range of dance genres, including African urban, African traditional, professional performance dances, worldwide/Latin dances, hip-hop and funk, and ballroom dances.
• Performance Skills: Develops students' performance skills, including concert participation, partnering techniques, and stage presence.
• Dance Ethics and Principles: Addresses warm-up procedures, physical fitness for dancers, nutritional guidance, and hygiene practices.

Syllabus Structure (Three-Year Cycle):

The syllabus covers the fundamentals and principles of dance, various dance genres and their compositions, dance ethics and principles, and performance techniques.

Drama

The Drama syllabus provides students with a foundational understanding of drama and theatre, covering various genres, terminology, acting techniques, performance spaces, and technical production.

Key Features:

• Genres and Terminology: Introduces students to different types of drama, including comedy, tragedy, and melodrama, and explores key drama terminology.
• Creative Writing: Develops students' ability to write short dialogues and monologues for the stage.
• Acting Skills: Covers the basics of acting, including character analysis, textural analysis, gesture, and facial expression.
• Performance Spaces: Examines different types of performance spaces, such as thrust stage, proscenium stage, arena stage, end stage, and found space.
• Technical Production: Introduces students to the roles and responsibilities involved in technical production, including stage management, set design, lighting, and sound effects.
• Directing: Explores the roles, responsibilities, and different styles of directors.

Syllabus Structure (Three-Year Cycle):

The syllabus covers the definition of drama and theatre, terms and terminologies, creative drama writing, basics of acting, performance spaces, technical production, and basics of directing.