- Docente: Elena Cervellati
- Credits: 6
- SSD: L-ART/05
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
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Corso:
Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
Music and Theatre Studies (cod. 8837)
Also valid for Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Music and Theatre Studies (cod. 6737)
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from Nov 10, 2025 to Dec 17, 2025
Course contents
The course aims to provide students with useful guidelines for navigating the varied landscape of theatrical dance theories conceived and implemented by choreographers active between the 20th century and today, i.e. to introduce them to different ideas of the dancing body, choreographic language, the creative process, and the construction of a performance; ultimately, of the human being and their vision of the world.
During the lessons, we will focus on viewing and shared analysis of some significant examples of performances resulting from these theories and on reading texts written by the artists themselves, briefly contextualising their activities and highlighting their mutual relationships.
The lessons will be enriched by meetings with artists and scholars, which will take place both on site and, when possible, at theatres and other venues in the area.
Readings/Bibliography
In order to prepare for the exam, students will be required to study two texts:
1) one book chosen from the following:
- Gabriele Brandstetter - Gabriele Klein (eds.), Dance [and] theory, Transcript, Bielefeld 2013 (at Biblioteca delle arti or online on SBA)
- Elena Randi, Il corpo pensato. Teorie della danza nel Novecento, Dino Audino, Rome 2020
2) one book chosen from the following:
- Janet Adshead, Dance analysis. Theory and practice, Dance Books, London 1988 (at Biblioteca delle arti and online om SBA)
- Philippe Guisgand - Isabelle Ginot, Analyser les œuvres en danse. Partitions pour le regard, CND, Pantin 2020 (at Biblioteca delle Ati)
Attending students may replace part of the readings with a written paper and a possible oral presentation to be given in class. The study of the indicated texts must be accompanied by viewing a selection of performances chosen from among those mentioned in the texts themselves.
Non-attending students will take the exam with a list of the performances they have viewed.
Viewing a selection of the performances mentioned in the books is considered an integral part of the study of the texts indicated.
Variations to the exam programme may be agreed with the ptofessor.
Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.
Teaching methods
Lectures will be supplemented by the viewing of video recordings of performances with commentary.
Active participation by students will be encouraged through case study analysis and classroom discussions.
Participation in festivals and round tables related to the course content will be encouraged.
Assessment methods
The students’ learning outcomes on the course’s themes will be verified through an interview concerning the recommended bibliography.
It will be assessed as excellent the performance of those students achieving an organic vision of the course contents, the use of a proper specific language, the originality of the reflection as well as the familiarity with the tolls for analyzing the course’s themes.
It will be assessed as discrete the performance of those students showing mostly mechanical or mnemonic knowledge of the subject, not articulated synthesis and analysis capabilities, a correct but not always appropriate language, as well as a scholastic study of the course’s themes.
It will be assessed as barely sufficient the performance of those students showing learning gaps, inappropriate language, lack of knowledge of the discipline.
It will be assessed as insufficient the performance of those students showing learning gaps, inappropriate language, no orientation within the recommended bibliography and inability to analyze the course’s themes.
Teaching tools
The courses will be supplemented by iconographic and videographic material.
In addition, they will be enriched by the presence of artists and scholars.
Office hours
See the website of Elena Cervellati