Department of Philosophy and Humanities

In the first semester, the module "Introduction to Critical Dance Studies" provides orientation in dance theory (the weekly introductory course). It also includes practice sessions on body techniques (possibly in block seminars) and on writing about dance. In addition, students take the two-part module "Theory, Aesthetics". The weekly course includes a seminar and a lecture.

In the second semester, the module "Historicity, Historiography" offers two courses that engage with concepts and methods of dance historiography using specific historical examples. The two-part module consists of a seminar and a lecture. In the "Practice-led Research A" module, students develop a performance project with accompanying practice sessions as part of the Valeska Gert guest professorship.

The third semester consists of the two-part modules of the compulsory elective area, "Dance, Arts, Media" or "Transdisciplinary Contexts", in which a seminar and a lecture on questions of inter- and post-medial aspects of dance are offered. The module "Practice-led Research B" enables students to work with another Valeska Gert guest professor and to take an accompanying practice session.

In the fourth semester, students write their Master's thesis and attend an accompanying colloquium on approaches to research.

The Master's degree program in Critical Dance Studies should be completed full-time. The possibility of part-time study is decided on an individual basis.

Career Prospects

In a dance climate with resources rapidly becoming digitized and with many diverse funding options available, holders of a graduate degree in Critical Dance Studies have access to many stimulating job opportunities. While some graduates continue to pursue PhDs, others assume dance-specialized jobs at theaters, production houses, and other cultural institutions, including archives or publishing houses. Graduates take on professions in dramaturgy, curation, public relations/marketing, and arts management, both as freelancers and full-time employees. Their knowledge of dance, and their honed critical thinking skills, also qualify them to work in the field of cultural policy, addressing questions, structures and cultural strategies in relation to the situation of both individual and collective bodies in society. 

Specifically, graduates work within the following fields:

- Journalism, arts writing, and editing – with, for example, ada Studio and Tanzbüro Berlin

- Dramaturgy – with, for example, Staatsballett Berlin, Künstler*innenhaus Mousonturm Frankfurt, dance festivals, and performance series.

- Curation – with, for example, HAU Hebbel am Ufer.

- Production and project management – with, for example, TD Berlin, Sophiensaele Berlin, Tanztage Berlin, Tanzfabrik Berlin, Ballhaus Ost, and Fonds Darstellende Künste.

- Positions in the field of cultural policy – within various networks and institutions, such as Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste (Federal Association for the Independent Performing Arts), Zeitgenössischer Tanz Berlin e.V., and the Koalition der Freien Szene (Coalition of the Independent Arts Community).

Testimony 

"Seminars such as 'Dance Texts' allowed me to experiment with writing about dance in various formats, such as movement description, dance criticism, dramaturgical text, and literary text, to strengthen my writing skills and prepare me for a career in journalism.”  Susanne Lettner, journalist

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