Courses

The Institute of Theatre Studies (ITW) offers a wide range of courses each semester. The list of courses can be found in the course handbook, La Leçon. International researchers also regularly teach and lecture at the ITW, exposing students to a wide range of topics and methodological approaches. 

Students must register for courses in the Teaching System KSL. All courses should be attended in full. More than three absences of 2 hours each for 2 SWS (half for 1 SWS) means that the course cannot be counted towards the degree, regardless of the reason for the absence.

The course handbook for the Faculty of Humanities details faculty-wide courses at the bachelor level. Depending on the course requirements, students from other disciplines may take one of these courses as an elective.

• Download: La Leçon for the spring semester 26 (German)
• Download: Timetable for the spring semester 26 (German)

Details of the courses   

• Guidelines for writing an academic paper (German)
• Information sheet for a small written assignment (German)
• Declaration of independence for academic work (German)

Lecture (3 ECTS points; open to BA and MA students)

• The lectures provide an overview of the history of theater and dance in Europe, an in-depth examination of historical and theoretical topics, and an overview of the aesthetics of contemporary theater and dance. The work completed in the lectures is usually assessed and graded by means of written examinations. Lectures (apart from the introductory lecture, which is aimed at BA students in their first semesters) are open to BA and MA students in all semesters and are worth 3 ECTS credits.

BA seminar (5 ECTS points; only open to BA students)

• BA seminars use specific topics to explore exemplary aesthetics, methods, and working practices in the fields of theater and dance. In all BA seminars, at least one piece of student work that is decisive for credit is graded. During the BA program, several short papers (20,000-25,000 characters, including spaces) are written in seminars (120 ECTS: 4 papers, 60 ECTS: 2 papers, 30 ECTS: 1 paper).

MA/BA seminar (5 ECTS for BA students, 6 ECTS for MA students).

• In MA/BA seminars, students should gain confidence in working independently with theater and dance studies literature and practical theater and dance issues. Through the conscious application of methods and theories, relevant questions are developed based on specific topics, which can also be incorporated into final theses. These seminars are open to all students who have completed both base course modules. The course requirements are adapted to the respective level of study (Bachelor's or Master's). MA students have priority when registering, and the number of participants is limited. During the MA program, several short papers (20,000-25,000 characters, including footnotes) are written in seminars (120 ECTS: 6 papers, 90 ECTS: 3 papers, 30 ECTS: 3 papers).

Base Course modules (9/12 ECTS points; open to BA students only).

• The two base course modules must be completed in the first semesters of the program. They serve to examine different concepts, provide insight into methods and theories of theater and dance studies, and help students acquire and apply basic dramaturgical concepts. Each module consists of a 2-hour introductory lecture, a 2-hour introductory seminar, and a compulsory tutorial. In the fall semester, students must attend an exercise on academic work in the basic course module (except in the 30-ECTS minor). Registration for all module components (lecture and introductory seminar, compulsory tutorial, and exercise) is required on KSL.

MA practical exercise (3 ECTS points; open to MA students only).

• The event is aimed at students who are preparing their master's thesis in the Theater Studies/Dance Studies program. Here, the concepts and initial excerpts from the theses will be presented and discussed with the participants.

Excursion (5 ECTS points for BA students and 3 ECTS for MA students)

• Every spring semester, the Institute of Theatre Studies (ITW) organizes an excursion to a theatre festival in another European country. This includes the Manchester International Festival, the Berliner Festspiele and the Wiener Festwochen.
• Throughout the academic year, ITW students attend a variety of theatre and dance performances as part of their seminars, lectures, and practical exercises, including the Swiss Dance Days, Dance in Bern and the Basel Theatre Festival.

Short paper (2 ECTS points)

• A short paper (KSA) is written as part of a seminar. Depending on the degree program, between one and four KSAs must be written in the bachelor's degree (120 ECTS: 4 KSAs, 60 ECTS: 2 KSAs, 30 ECTS: 1 KSA) and between three and six KSAs (120 ECTS: 6 KSAs, 90 ECTS: 3 KSAs, 30 ECTS: 3 KSAs) in the Master's program. The KSA must be credited in the same module as the seminar. It must be ensured that the topic of the KSA corresponds to both the content of the seminar and the module in which it is credited. The length of a KSA is 20,000 to a maximum of 25,000 characters (including spaces). Detailed information on how to write a KSA can be found in the corresponding information sheet.
• Information sheet: Short paper (German)