German Theatre and Performance
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The advanced German Theatre course is designed for international students with a background in theatre & performance studies and/or German literature and culture. It offers an in-depth exploration of historical, aesthetic and methodological issues as well as practical workshops focusing on performance techniques, text analysis, and contemporary approaches to staging. Students will engage with a variety of texts from classical to contemporary modern German drama, critically examining their historical and cultural contexts and exploring innovative methods of performance and interpretation.
Course Objectives: 1) to deepen understanding of the history of German theatre, from classical to contemporary periods; 2) to explore the works of iconic German playwrights and directors; 3) to critically analyse the texts, performance styles, and socio-political contexts of German theatre and their resonance on the Italian stage; 4) to enhance practical skills through workshops and collaborative projects, with a particular focus on intermedial transformation and intercultural transfer.
Course Objectives: 1) to deepen understanding of the history of German theatre, from classical to contemporary periods; 2) to explore the works of iconic German playwrights and directors; 3) to critically analyse the texts, performance styles, and socio-political contexts of German theatre and their resonance on the Italian stage; 4) to enhance practical skills through workshops and collaborative projects, with a particular focus on intermedial transformation and intercultural transfer.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes: 1) an in-depth knowledge of the key aspects, periods, figures and theories of German theatre history; 2) the ability to critically analyse iconic German plays and performance techniques, examining their socio-political contexts and their influence on global theatre, particularly on the Italian stage; 3) enhanced teamwork skills and practical experience of "Theaterarbeit", with a particular focus on a) intermedial transformation and b) intercultural exchange.
In relation to a), students will explore contemporary staging and performance techniques and learn to interpret German theatre through innovative, interdisciplinary practices that integrate text, movement, and multimedia elements. With regard to b), students will explore methods of translating, adapting, and mediating German theatre for the Italian context.
In relation to a), students will explore contemporary staging and performance techniques and learn to interpret German theatre through innovative, interdisciplinary practices that integrate text, movement, and multimedia elements. With regard to b), students will explore methods of translating, adapting, and mediating German theatre for the Italian context.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Course Title:
Reimagining Goethe: Stage, Performance, and Media (60 hours, 6/9 ECTS)
Part A (20 hours, 3 ECTS, Prof. M. Castellari): Goethe between Textuality, Visuality, and Sound
Part B (20 hours, 3 ECTS, Prof. M. Castellari): Goethe on Stage and across Media
Part C (20 hours, 3 ECTS, Prof. M. Castellari): Laboratorio Goethe: a Living Classic
The course is designed for Master's students and allows for the acquisition of either 6 or 9 ECTS credits.
Students wishing to obtain 6 ECTS credits will follow the programme of Parts A and B.
Students wishing to obtain 9 ECTS credits will follow the full programme.
The course syllabus remains valid until February 2028.
The course explores Goethe and a selection of his figures and works that continue to inspire contemporary art and culture. Rather than adopting a traditionally literary-historical approach, it focuses on the intersections of textual, visual, and sonic dimensions both within Goethe's own production and in its long-term reception (Part A), as well as on significant twentieth- and twenty-first-century reworkings in theatre, the arts, and the media (Part B). Figures such as Werther, Tasso, and Faust, to name only a few examples, continue to populate the creative imagination of our time; a similar phenomenon can be observed with Goethe himself as poet, artist, and scientist. Students will have the opportunity to experience this directly through encounters with contemporary artists and intellectuals (Part C). The case studies examined will range from the German-speaking world to the Italian cultural landscape, with further excursions into other international contexts. Their discussion will also serve as a stimulus for each participant's own critical and creative research.
Reimagining Goethe: Stage, Performance, and Media (60 hours, 6/9 ECTS)
Part A (20 hours, 3 ECTS, Prof. M. Castellari): Goethe between Textuality, Visuality, and Sound
Part B (20 hours, 3 ECTS, Prof. M. Castellari): Goethe on Stage and across Media
Part C (20 hours, 3 ECTS, Prof. M. Castellari): Laboratorio Goethe: a Living Classic
The course is designed for Master's students and allows for the acquisition of either 6 or 9 ECTS credits.
Students wishing to obtain 6 ECTS credits will follow the programme of Parts A and B.
Students wishing to obtain 9 ECTS credits will follow the full programme.
The course syllabus remains valid until February 2028.
The course explores Goethe and a selection of his figures and works that continue to inspire contemporary art and culture. Rather than adopting a traditionally literary-historical approach, it focuses on the intersections of textual, visual, and sonic dimensions both within Goethe's own production and in its long-term reception (Part A), as well as on significant twentieth- and twenty-first-century reworkings in theatre, the arts, and the media (Part B). Figures such as Werther, Tasso, and Faust, to name only a few examples, continue to populate the creative imagination of our time; a similar phenomenon can be observed with Goethe himself as poet, artist, and scientist. Students will have the opportunity to experience this directly through encounters with contemporary artists and intellectuals (Part C). The case studies examined will range from the German-speaking world to the Italian cultural landscape, with further excursions into other international contexts. Their discussion will also serve as a stimulus for each participant's own critical and creative research.
Prerequisites for admission
Ability to operate across diverse cultural and linguistic contexts; aptitude for discussion and teamwork; grounding in literary and theatre studies, preferably with some background in German Studies; ability to analyse and interpret texts, source materials, stage productions, and multimedia artefacts independently, and to engage critically with relevant scholarly literature.
Teaching methods
ALPHA COURSE
The course combines lecture-based teaching with seminar-style sessions, fostering direct interaction between instructor and students and encouraging the active and critical participation of students in discussions of the texts, performances, and topics examined throughout the course.
Depending on the linguistic composition of the class, one or more of the following languages may be used as working languages: German, Italian, and English.
In this respect, regular attendance also constitutes an important component of the learning process, contributing to the development of both active and receptive language skills in the language(s) of study.
The course combines lecture-based teaching with seminar-style sessions, fostering direct interaction between instructor and students and encouraging the active and critical participation of students in discussions of the texts, performances, and topics examined throughout the course.
Depending on the linguistic composition of the class, one or more of the following languages may be used as working languages: German, Italian, and English.
In this respect, regular attendance also constitutes an important component of the learning process, contributing to the development of both active and receptive language skills in the language(s) of study.
Teaching Resources
On the course MyARIEL page, texts and materials related to the various parts of the course will be uploaded throughout the semester in line with the progression of classes. Depending on the instructions provided, these materials are either required reading for all students (attending and non-attending) or exclusively for non-attending students.
Students are also expected to undertake preliminary reading in preparation for the study of the works, or excerpts from works, by Goethe discussed in the course.
Texts and materials will be organized in folders corresponding to Parts A, B, and C of the course.
The following titles are provided as general international bibliographical references (all available in open access through minerva.unimi.it). The only compulsory readings, however, are those listed above and made available on MyARIEL. The compulsory readings for Parts A and B will also constitute the basis for the in-class written test described above under Assessment Methods.
The Cambridge Companion to Goethe, ed. by Leslie Sharpe, Cambridge, 2006.
Goethe's Faust: Theatre of Modernity, ed. by Hans Schulte, John K. Noyes and Pia Kleber, Cambridge, 2011.
Music in Goethe's Faust. Goethe's Faust in Music, ed. by Lorraine Byrne Bodley, Woodbridge, 2017.
Sara Munson Deats, The Faust Legend: From Marlowe and Goethe to Contemporary Drama and Film, Cambridge, 2019.
Students are also expected to undertake preliminary reading in preparation for the study of the works, or excerpts from works, by Goethe discussed in the course.
Texts and materials will be organized in folders corresponding to Parts A, B, and C of the course.
The following titles are provided as general international bibliographical references (all available in open access through minerva.unimi.it). The only compulsory readings, however, are those listed above and made available on MyARIEL. The compulsory readings for Parts A and B will also constitute the basis for the in-class written test described above under Assessment Methods.
The Cambridge Companion to Goethe, ed. by Leslie Sharpe, Cambridge, 2006.
Goethe's Faust: Theatre of Modernity, ed. by Hans Schulte, John K. Noyes and Pia Kleber, Cambridge, 2011.
Music in Goethe's Faust. Goethe's Faust in Music, ed. by Lorraine Byrne Bodley, Woodbridge, 2017.
Sara Munson Deats, The Faust Legend: From Marlowe and Goethe to Contemporary Drama and Film, Cambridge, 2019.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination is structured in sections corresponding to the different parts of the course and includes differentiated assessment formats, both in terms of written and/or oral examination and according to whether students attend the course regularly or not.
Parts A and B
For Parts A and B, students may take an in-class written examination consisting of a short essay on one of three topics proposed by the instructor. The examination will focus on the texts, works, phenomena, and themes discussed during the course and will be based on the materials provided by the instructor during the first two sections of the module. The written examination will take place on a single date, scheduled during the final class of the semester, and may be completed in Italian, German, or English.
Alternatively, Parts A and B may be assessed through an oral examination during one of the official examination sessions. In this case, students are expected to prepare the entire syllabus, including all assigned primary and secondary readings. The oral examination may also be conducted in Italian, German, or English.
Part C
Part C is assessed through an oral examination. The examination will cover the content of the seminar sessions as well as an individual or group project related to the activities carried out during the course (for attending students) or, alternatively, an independent topic agreed upon with the instructor (for non-attending students).
The project will be presented by the candidate as the first part of the oral examination and may be supported by presentation materials and other relevant media. The presentation will be followed by a discussion with the instructor. The topic of the project must be agreed upon with the instructor well in advance of the examination date (at least fifteen days before the oral examination).
Assessment Criteria
The overall assessment will take into account students' analytical, argumentative, and interpretative abilities; their knowledge of the relevant historical and cultural contexts; their understanding of dramaturgical and theatrical issues; and their ability to employ critical approaches and disciplinary terminology appropriately.
For students taking the 6 ECTS version of the course (Parts A+B), the grade awarded for Parts A+B constitutes the final course grade and may, where appropriate, take into account active participation in class.
For students taking the 9 ECTS version of the course (Parts A+B+C), the assessment of Parts A and B counts for two-thirds of the final grade, while Part C counts for one-third. The final grade may, where appropriate, also take into account active participation in class.
Parts A and B
For Parts A and B, students may take an in-class written examination consisting of a short essay on one of three topics proposed by the instructor. The examination will focus on the texts, works, phenomena, and themes discussed during the course and will be based on the materials provided by the instructor during the first two sections of the module. The written examination will take place on a single date, scheduled during the final class of the semester, and may be completed in Italian, German, or English.
Alternatively, Parts A and B may be assessed through an oral examination during one of the official examination sessions. In this case, students are expected to prepare the entire syllabus, including all assigned primary and secondary readings. The oral examination may also be conducted in Italian, German, or English.
Part C
Part C is assessed through an oral examination. The examination will cover the content of the seminar sessions as well as an individual or group project related to the activities carried out during the course (for attending students) or, alternatively, an independent topic agreed upon with the instructor (for non-attending students).
The project will be presented by the candidate as the first part of the oral examination and may be supported by presentation materials and other relevant media. The presentation will be followed by a discussion with the instructor. The topic of the project must be agreed upon with the instructor well in advance of the examination date (at least fifteen days before the oral examination).
Assessment Criteria
The overall assessment will take into account students' analytical, argumentative, and interpretative abilities; their knowledge of the relevant historical and cultural contexts; their understanding of dramaturgical and theatrical issues; and their ability to employ critical approaches and disciplinary terminology appropriately.
For students taking the 6 ECTS version of the course (Parts A+B), the grade awarded for Parts A+B constitutes the final course grade and may, where appropriate, take into account active participation in class.
For students taking the 9 ECTS version of the course (Parts A+B+C), the assessment of Parts A and B counts for two-thirds of the final grade, while Part C counts for one-third. The final grade may, where appropriate, also take into account active participation in class.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
GERM-01/B - German Literature - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Castellari Marco
Part C
GERM-01/B - German Literature - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Castellari Marco
Professor(s)
Reception:
Please book a meeting using the link below
P.zza S. Alessandro 1 - in-person only (online appointments on Teams are allowed solely when duly justified)