Overview
The Graduate Group in Performance Studies at UC Berkeley provides an interdisciplinary and individually crafted curriculum directed at advanced studies in the literatures, performances, cultural contexts, and theories of performance throughout the world. Based in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies, the PhD program in Performance Studies takes advantage of Berkeley’s distinguished history in the field of drama and theater studies and opens out to a wider interrogation of the disciplines and methodologies of performance studies. The program is administered by an interdisciplinary graduate group, the Graduate Group in Performance Studies, comprised of faculty from a wide range of related departments. Students in the Performance Studies PhD program conduct research in a diverse array of interdisciplinary methodologies, on projects spanning the fields of theater, dance, and performance studies.
Undergraduate Program
The Group does not offer an undergraduate program in Performance Studies. However, the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies offers a major and minor in Dance and Perfomance Studies and Theater and Performance Studies .
Graduate Program
Performance Studies : PhD
Courses
Performance Studies
THEATER 200A Introductory Colloquium on Interdisciplinary Research in Performance 2 Units
This course is designed to introduce graduate students to the research resources of the University, to the methodologies and research interests of the faculty affiliated with the Ph.D. program, to the demands of a professional academic career, and to trends and developments in theater, dance, and performance studies.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of colloquium per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
THEATER 200B Research Colloquium 2 Units
This course is designed to provide an opportunity for graduate students to work with one another to advance their individual research projects and present their ongoing work.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2 hours of colloquium per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
THEATER 201 Performance Theory 4 Units
This core seminar for graduate students focuses on key issues in the theory of performance, with an emphasis on contemporary theoretical inquiry. Topics can include issues of representation and identity, presence, community, social efficacy, space, corporeality, audience, and transnational flows.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Formerly known as: Dramatic Art 201
THEATER 202 Methodologies in Performance Studies 4 Units
The study of different approaches and contemporary methodologies for analyzing performances of various kinds within their cultural and historical context. Specific methodologies can include archival research, field methods, etc. The specific focus in any one course is contingent upon the focus of the instructor.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Formerly known as: Dramatic Art 202
THEATER 203 Performance Practicum: Lab Run 2 - 4 Units
This course is constructed around the making of performance, culminating in Lab Run, an event created, directed, and/or performed by graduate students. Lab Run will receive public performances near the end of the semester. The course is also conceived as a forum for exploring the relationship between live performance and the critical discourses of performance studies.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1.5-3 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate
Grading: The grading option will be decided by the instructor when the class is offered.
Formerly known as: Dramatic Art 203
THEATER 266 Special Topics: Theater Arts 1 - 4 Units
Topics vary from semester to semester and have included The Power of Music and Poetry in the Theater; Modern Drama and Theater, 1940 to the Present; Theaters, Tricksters, and Cultural Exchange; Art as Social Action; and The Invisible World (Process Seminar).
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of lecture and 3-12 hours of laboratory per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Formerly known as: Dramatic Art 266
THEATER 277 Special Studies in Directing 1 - 4 Units
Advanced practice in play direction.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. and consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of studio per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Formerly known as: Dramatic Art 277
THEATER 294 Directed Research 1 - 12 Units
Meetings to be arranged, either individually or as a group to explore fields not covered in courses listed elsewhere in Dramatic Art's offerings. May be taken by students engaged in writing dissertations.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Dramatic Art and consent of instructor
Credit Restrictions: A maximum of 12 units may be divided among several instructors during a semester.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0-0 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
THEATER 299 Special Study 1 - 4 Units
May be taken when preparing prospectus, graduate portfolio, and/or oral presentation before qualifying oral examination. May not be substituted for available seminars.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-4 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 2.5-10 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1-7.5 hours of independent study per week
10 weeks - 1.5-6 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Formerly known as: Dramatic Art 299
THEATER 300 Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching in Dramatic Art 2 - 4 Units
Discussion, problem review and development, course development, supervised practice of teaching.
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing, appointment as a teaching assistant or associate, or consent of instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Formerly known as: Dramatic Art 300
THEATER 340 Pedagogy for Movement Based Classes - Graduate Level 4 Units
This course studies pedagogical theories and methods. It is designed to prepare graduate students to teach practice-based dance and movement courses. In class teaching exercises will be supported by readings, research projects and assignments on the subject of pedagogy. Development of professional teaching documents such as a teaching philosophy, a sample course syllabus, sample lesson plans, and self-evaluation statements are required.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 6 hours of studio per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 15 hours of studio per week
8 weeks - 10 hours of studio per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Grading: Letter grade.
THEATER 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 12 Units
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D.
Rules & Requirements
Credit Restrictions: Course does not satisfy unit or residence requirements for doctoral degree.
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit. Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Summer: 8 weeks - 15-99 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: Theater, Dance, and Performance St/Graduate examination preparation
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Formerly known as: Dramatic Art 602
Contact Information
Graduate Group in Performance Studies
D33 Hearst Field Annex
Phone: 510-643-4050
Group Chair
Catherine M. Cole, PhD (Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies)
128 Dwinelle Annex