Content Official Master's Degree in Theatre Studies

Ideal student profile

The master's degree is aimed at students wishing to conduct research in Theatre Studies. Students should have a theoretical or practical grounding in Performing Arts in order to be able to focus on a more specific area: methodologies and procedures for generating knowledge in this field. It is crucial for students to have an explicit interest in research, rather than merely wishing to increase their theoretical or practical knowledge. Another important factor is students' willingness to broaden their perspective as much as possible regarding the research possibilities offered by the Performing Arts.

The ideal academic qualifications are bachelor's degrees in philology or in any specialisation of drama studies. However, access is also open to graduates in any branch of the Humanities or the Arts, given the markedly holistic nature of performing arts studies. Also acceptable are degrees in Social and Legal Sciences (Anthropology, Political Science), Architecture, Audiovisual Communication and multimedia, Education Studies, Health Sciences (Physical activity and Sports, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy), Social work, Tourism, Events Organisation, protocol and institutional relations, etc., since in recent years research in theatre studies has increasingly been conducted within these fields. On one hand, several of these fields make fertile ground on which to apply the research potential that is inherent in the Performing Arts. On the other hand, Social and Legal Sciences are making more and more contributions that enrich knowledge and research within theatre studies.

Basic skills

• Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
• Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
• Integrate knowledge and use it to make judgements in complex situations, with incomplete information, while keeping in mind social and ethical responsibilities.
• Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
• Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously

Specific skills

• Assess the specific characteristics of research in the performing arts and the great potential provided by their complexity.
• Examine research methodologies in the performing arts according to international scientific parameters.
• Apply research methods in the different study disciplines of the performing arts according to the relevant conceptual frameworks.
• Analyse phenomena in the performing arts on the basis of their potential categorisations and interrelations.
• Prepare a scientific paper on an object of study within the performing arts.
• Plan and design an original, personal research project on an aspect of the performing arts.
• Evaluate performance phenomena synchronically and diachronically on the basis of specific theoretical paradigms (specialisation A).
• Transfer pragmatic knowledge of theatre processes on to the conceptual level so as to bring practice into research. (Specialisation B).

Cross-curricular skills

• Work in interdisciplinary teams in varying contexts.
• Follow the codes of practice that govern research activity.
• Respect the historic and cultural value of theatrical heritage.
• Assess the social dimension inherent in the performing arts.