OVERVIEW

The course provides a basic knowledge of the main philosophical and aesthetic theories on theatre and dance from antiquity to the present. Through the analysis of the texts, students will be guided in the study of complex concepts, recognizing the connections that link the practices of the stage to the main categories of Western philosophical thought and aesthetics.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at introducing students to the main theories on drama, actor, dance and expressive movement elaborated within the domain of Western thought about theatre.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the teaching, students demonstrate:

-  to be familiar with the basic principles of philosophical and aesthetic theories on theatre and dance from antiquity to the present time;

- to place the different theories of theatre and dance in a chronological order;

- to identify differences between theories;

- to recognize the connections between theatre and dance theories and practices;

- to master the terminology essential for theoretical study of theatre and dance.

PREREQUISITES

There are no prerequisites, but a basic knowledge of the history of theatre is certainly useful.

Registration with Aulaweb is mandatory.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

In the first module, two fundamental theoretical texts will be read, analyzed, and discussed: Aristotle's Poetics and Peter Szondi's Theory of the Modern Drama (1880-1950). The second module will review theories of the dancing body and expressive movement developed by dancers and choreographers throughout the twentieth century. Particular attention will be given to points of contact and cross-fertilization between dance and theatre, and between the movement of the dancer and that of the actor or performer.

NB: please refer to Aulaweb for updates and clarifications.

Erasmus students with insufficient familiarity with the Italian language can agree on a substitute bibliography and take the exam in a substitute language (English and French).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Aristotle, Poetics, any edition with notes and commentary.

Peter Szondi, Theory of the Modern Drama (1880-1950), Einaudi, 1962 and later editions.

Elena Randi, Il corpo pensato. Teorie della danza nel Novecento, Dino Audino, Roma 2020.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

Non-attending students (i.e., those who have attended fewer than 22 out of 40 hours) must add the following to the bibliography: Dominique Dupuy, La saggezza del danzatore, Mimesis, 2014 and Marvin Carlson, Teorie del teatro: panorama storico e critico, Il Mulino, 1988, ch. 1 (Aristotele e i Greci), available on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 21, 2026.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral interview.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Expected knowledge and skills will be tested through an oral interview. Preparation is considered adequate if students demonstrate:

- to know the principles of the philosophical and aesthetic theories presented by the teaching, and to explain them with appropriate terminology;

-  to place the different philosophical and aesthetic theories within their theatrical and cultural context;

- to establish links and comparisons between the topics covered by the teaching;

- to produce a personal critical judgement on the topics discussed.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) can find information on how to request services, compensatory tools, exemption measures, or specific aids in the document available at the following link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/modulistica