The Centre for Contemporary Dance (CCD) offers a Master of Arts in Dance Studies program. The program is a four-semester long, in-depth, research-based study of dance studies and is administered with direct collaboration with the Deutsche Tanzarchiv.

Students complete a total of 6 modules during the 4 semesters

1. Dance Studies Methods

An overview is given covering problem areas, issues, terminologies, and research prospects of the program. Students are encouraged to think critically about academic issues so that they can independently research topics in dance studies and reflect on the methods of dance studies. Additional exercises introduce careers in the grey area between the theory of dances studies and actual dance. Dance courses are taught as components to acquire material for analysis in dance studies.

2. Dance Historiography

This module conveys the practice of historiography and reflection on historiography. Students learn about research opportunities and the study of sources and can participate in editing and presenting literary documents online through hands-on exercises at the Tanzarchiv. Students have the opportunity to analyse during their exploration of reconstructions.

3. Composition, Choreography, and Dramaturgy

Composition, choreography, and dramaturgy methods are explored and reflected on in this module, both in theory and in practice. In addition to conveying the historical and contemporary concepts of choreography and composition, the goal of this module is to encourage the exchange between theory and practice. The aim is to thereby teach organizational skills. By analysing different aesthetic, dramaturgic, and choreographic methods, students can develop and apply theories and concepts in their own projects. Topics covered also include project management, grant writing, and institutional politics.

4. Body/Art/Media

Students are given an overview of current theories regarding the interaction of different art forms (especially music, visual arts and theatre) and the processes of intermediality, intertextuality, and hybridity. This includes the discussion of the advantages and difficulties of comparative research strategies. Aesthetic theories, somatic and media theories, as well as curatorial strategies are explored. Students also create intermedia projects and learn the basics of media-oriented performances.

5. Research Module

This module gives students the opportunity to independently research a dance studies topic of their choice. The goal is to research the knowledge and skills acquired during the program and put them into practice.

6. Examination Module

In this module, the master’s capstone project is completed as well as two oral examinations, one in defence of the project and the other on a different topic.