Performance Theory: Perspectives and Concepts

This course focuses on theatrical and performative practices and phenomena. It provides insight into theoretical perspectives, positions and concepts from, for example, Performance Studies, Theater Studies and Applied Theater, and examines how different discourses and contexts stand in relation to each other.

The course places professional and artistic positions and practices in an interdisciplinary theoretical, cultural and political context, and examines the role of art in meeting complex social challenges, different contexts and target groups.

In addition, the course offers a series of seminars where students work on developing their own master's project description.

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have knowledge of

• central concepts and newer theoretical perspectives
• performance, theatre and applied theatre's place in aesthetic, pedagogical and socio-political contexts
• the connection between their own professional field of interest and the field's newer theoretical trends

Skills

Upon successful completion of this course, students will know how to

• relate critically, analytically and independently to aesthetic and applied phenomena and perspectives
• apply theoretical perspectives and concepts in the analysis of theatrical and performative practices
• communicate and discuss professional perspectives orally and in writing
• develop an independent research design and project description for the master's thesis

Instruction is offered in the form of lectures and seminars. In this course, students work in seminars and workshops to develop a project description with a research design for their independent master's project and thesis.

The project description must include the following components:

• Working title (indicating the field and area of interest)
• Background (personal and academic justification for the choice of project, research question, choice of methodology, and theoretical framework)
• Project plan and timeline
• Collaboration
• Ethical considerations (social and environmental)
• Dissemination plan
• Equipment needs and budget (accounting for necessary equipment, infrastructure, and resources)
• Reference list

The project description should be 5-10 pages in length, including the reference list. It must be clearly stated whether the project is a theoretical master’s project (DRA3090) or a practice-based/theoretical master’s project (DRA3091).

Students are required to check the result of their assignments and to keep posted on messages from the teacher at Canvas.