course-details-portlet

DRA3003

Performance Theory: Perspectives and Concepts

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 15
Level Second degree level
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Home exam and written assessment

About

About the course

Course content

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.

Learning outcome

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

Learning methods and activities

Instruction is offered in the form of lectures and seminars. In addition there will be a seminar series where students develop a project description and research design for their master's project and thesis.

The course also offers a seminar series for master students to develop their own master project.

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

Compulsory assignments

  • Oral seminar presentation
  • Written exercise of approximately 2000 words
  • 80% mandatory attendance

Further on evaluation

The final assessment in this subject consists of a home exam and a written assignment.

More about the home exam: a 6-day home exam of 4,000 - 5,000 words is given with an adjusting oral exam. The number of words does not include the cover page, foreword, table of contents, bibliography and appendices. The number of words must be included in the assignment, and it is the student's responsibility that the number of given words is correct. The home exam counts for 80 % of the total grade.

More about the thesis: The student must deliver a processed and finalized project description of the master's thesis. The assignment counts for 20 % of the total grade.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Applied Theatre and Dramaturgy (MDT)

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

Set readings of approx. 1200 pages.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
HFDT304 15 sp
HFDT304 15 sp
This course has academic overlap with the courses in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Drama and Theatre Studies

Contact information

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Art and Media Studies

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Home exam and written assessment
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Home exam and adjusting oral exam
Weighting 80/100 Duration 6 days Exam system Inspera Assessment
Developed project description
Weighting 20/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment