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 2027
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Home examination

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 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.

Compulsory assignments

  • A written assignment or reflective log of approximately 1,000 words
  • Revised and finalized the master's thesis project description
  • Oral seminar presentation
  • 80% mandatory attendance

Further on evaluation

The final assessment consists of a six-day take-home examination of 4,000 to 5,000 words, followed by an oral examination that may adjust the final grade. The word count does not include the cover page, preface, table of contents, bibliography, and appendices.

The total word count must be stated in the submission, and it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the reported word count is accurate.

Please note that submission of a completed project description is mandatory in order to be assigned a supervisor and to be eligible to sit the examination for the course.

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

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Art and Media Studies

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Home examination
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Spring 2027

Home examination
Weighting 100/100 Duration 6 days Exam system Inspera Assessment