Choreology (N0215A310043)

Programme objectives

The continuing Master's degree programme in Choreology (Dance History, Theory and Methods) deepens the educational content of the Bachelor's programme, complements acquired knowledge and skills and introduces new choreological disciplines. Further, the programme provides more detailed historical knowledge, including contemporary dance history, the extension of knowledge in theoretical disciplines (dance aesthetics, dance anthropology, dance sociology) and applied disciplines (dance criticism, dance management). In the framework of choreological seminars, students develop the ability to creatively apply their theoretical knowledge through work with concrete material and methodological tools. Through the study of academic texts they expand their overview of contemporary choreological research, its issues, topics, theoretical concepts and methodological approaches. Emphasis is placed upon the development of critical thinking skills, orientation in the issues of the field and its current tendencies at home and abroad. Students are involved in research activities of the Institute for Choreology of the Music and Dance Faculty, participate in cooperation with other research and documentation organisations (Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Kylián Library and Archive, etc.), engage in popularisation and organisational activities (within the activities of the Department of Dance, cooperation with NIPOS-Artama, etc.). They orient themselves within the field, choosing specific themes in their diploma thesis and direction for their future professional practice.

Profile of a programme graduate

The graduate of the continuing Master's degree in Choreology (Dance History, Theory and Methods) has extensive knowledge, particularly in the sphere of theoretical disciplines and methodologies (dance anthropology, sociology of dance, dance aesthetics), has acquired knowledge of dance history, in subtopics with detailed perspectives on the given issue and in the sphere of contemporary history, which builds on the content of historical courses in the Bachelor's degree programme. The student is proficient in a number of methodological tools and has experience in applying them to specific research tasks. They have knowledge of the connections between dance studies and other humanities and social sciences, from which they draw suggestions for their own original solutions to research topics. They are familiar with the issues of applied disciplines (dance criticism, dance management) and able to work practically within them and to participate in the popularisation of the field. When working independently, they are able to apply the principles of critical thinking, to search for relevant sources and literature, to formulate new interpretations of phenomena and problems related to the study of dance in its various forms, and to do so for larger, complex topics.

Graduates of the continuing Master's programme in Choreology (Dance History, Theory and Methods) may continue their doctoral studies in choreology or engage in research activities with an interdisciplinary focus, e.g. in the spheres of cultural anthropology, ethnology, cultural studies, aesthetics, general history, music and theatre studies, multimedia studies, etc.

Rules and requirements for creating study plans

The basic framework for the conception of study programmes at AMU is created by the AMU Rules of Quality Assurance System, specifying the basic principles of accreditation processes. The current practice is further formally anchored by the AMU Accreditation Rules. These set the parameters common to all study programmes taught at AMU and also transfer part of the responsibility for subject specifications (theatre, music, dance, film/television) to the faculties.

The curriculums are drawn up in accordance with the AMU Attendance and Examination Regulations. On the basis of the specificities of higher artistic education, this document defines within the typology of subjects the required main subject (PH): this is a key artistic (or talent-based) core course, for which the assessment is always carried out on a commission basis and which does not allow for re-attestation. Another specificity of the curricula is the flexibility allowed in the distribution of credits (60 ECTS per academic year) between the winter and summer semesters, based on the greater workload associated with the completion of artistic outputs in the summer semester in some disciplines

The theoretical and historical background of the field is a compulsory part of all study programmes; these are compulsory core courses co-determining the profile of the graduate and forming part of the state final examination. Each study plan also includes compulsory completion of discipline-specific English language instruction, with a minimum of 6 ECTS per study cycle.

Courses completed by examination are graded on a scale from A to E (F = fail), while „pass/fail“ grades are used for other courses; a combination of the two types of assessment is not possible.

The standard length of a lesson is 45 minutes. The basic organisational forms of teaching are lecture, seminar, exercise, workshop, the last three forms of teaching involving the creation of artistic outputs to varying degrees. Teaching takes place either on a weekly basis or in the form of intensive blocks or workshops.

The curriculum automatically assumes prerequisites in the form of sequences of courses, indicated by an ascending number after the course title. This type of prerequisite is not specifically mentioned in Part BIII for individual courses. If a course has a non-sequential prerequisite, it is explicitly listed in Part BIII for the course. In the same sense, we do not list prerequisites; these are determined by the mandatory inclusion of the course in a particular year and semester along with other courses.

Required core subjects are: Dance in Europe after 1945, Choreology Seminar, Dance Sociology, Dance Anthropology, Dance Aesthetics, Basics of Dance Management, Seminar on Dance Writing and Master Diploma Thesis Seminar 1 – 4. The curriculum includes required elective courses in dance history and dance theory and methods such as Dance in Religion and Philosophy, Traditional Ballet Repertory - past and present, Jiří Kylián and his Choreographic Work, New contexts of Traditional Dance Culture and Revival, Interpretation and Analysis of Folk Dance Recording, from which students must earn a total of 12 credits in the programme. The curriculum provides for elective subjects, which make up 16 credits out of a total of 120 and includes courses such as Development of Ballet Dramaturgy in Russia after 1917 and its Influence on Czech Ballet, Financial Management and Fundraising, Dance and the Camera, Dance Medicine, Interpretive Practice, Stage Practicum, Folk Dance Culture, Dramaturgy of Dance, Methods of Writing Professional Essays and University Thesis, Intermedia and Stage Technology, Historical Dance, Laban's Movement Analysis/Dance Therapy, Kinetography and Dance Analysis and others will be offered.

General information about admission process

The entrance examination will consist of an interview on scholarly issues, the applicant's focus in the Master’s studies, and the intended thesis project. The Master’s thesis proposal, together with a professional CV and their bachelor's thesis, will be submitted by the candidate to the committee for review.

The interview on scholarly issues includes an overview of historical and theoretical knowledge in choreology (dance history, theory and analysis, ethnochoreology, dance production) within the scope of the Bachelor's degree programme in this field, and an overview of contemporary dance developments and research.

The admissions committee evaluates the applicant with a cumulative grade that reflects the student’s ability to think logically and systematically, their expressive and stylistic skills, their overview of dance in both local and international contexts including a basic overview of the history of dance and ballet, knowledge of basic music theory and history, theatre history, a general cultural overview, and knowledge of at least one foreign language apart from English at an advanced level, dance experience and basic knowledge of dance techniques, all at minimally at the level of a bachelor's degree graduate.

Upon completion of the entrance examination, the Admissions Committee will establish a ranking according to the average of the scores of each applicant and recommend for admission those applicants who ranked within the guideline number and minimum score for the Choreology (Dance History, Theory and Methods) programme. The conditions of the admission procedure, including the determination of the method of scoring, its range and the guideline number, are regulated for each academic year by the relevant Dean's decree, which is subject to approval by the Academic Senate of the Faculty.

If there are not enough applicants meeting the score requirement, the guideline number will not be filled.

Applicability to other types of academic programmes

Graduates of the Choreology programme may continue on to doctoral studies.

Parts of the state final examination and their contents

The state final examination consists of:

1. Oral defence of the Master’s thesis of min. 80 standard pages (Master Diploma Thesis Seminar)
2. Theoretical oral examination

• History of Dance and Ballet (Dance in Europe after 1945 and selected lectures from history, i.e. Traditional Ballet Repertory - past and present, Jiří Kylián and his Choreographic Work, Dance in Religion and Philosophy, eventually other elective historical courses)
• Choreological Theories and Methods (Choreology Seminar, Dance Aesthetics, Dance Anthropology, Sociology of Dance, Basics of Dance Management, selected lectures, i.e.: Interpretation and Analysis of Folk Dance Recording, New Contexts of the Traditional Dance Culture and Revival, etc.)

The thematic areas of the theoretical oral examination are formulated in a broad general overview and are intended to demonstrate orientation in the subject matter, the ability to organize their relevant classifications, contents and contexts, and to interpret each clearly and critically.

History of Dance and Ballet

The historical courses taken during the Master's degree programme and the knowledge acquired from the Bachelor's programme are taken into account in the formulation of the topics to be assigned in advance for the state final examination. The factual treatment of the topic, its problematisation and interpretation, orientation in sources, sources and literature are evaluated.

The thematic areas for the state examination in the history of dance and ballet are focused on a reflection of dance art of the 20th and early 21st centuries in the context of previous historical development, in the comparison of Czech, European and world events and in the context of theoretical and historical issues. Topics could include for example:

• Changes in the choreographic conception of a particular work, disparate ways of developing a particular theme (e.g. Comparison of choreographic versions of The Rite of Spring; Othello as a theme for choreographic creation)
• Comparison of the repertoire of two or more ballet ensembles in a defined period of time (Trends in ballet repertoire in the post-war period using as example three major selected European dance scenes)
• Significant dance events and works in a defined period and place (e.g. Dance in Germany in the 1980’s)
• Changes in choreographic practices (e.g. The evolution of the concept of the dance duet in the post-war period; The comic in post-war ballet; The protagonist in narrative choreographic works; New interpretations of traditional ballets, using the work of Mats Ek/John Neumeier as an example)
• Comparison of the work of generational contemporaries (Kylián-Forsythe-Ek; Belgian dance scene of the 1990’s)
• Characteristics of innovative contemporary creative practices using examples of influential works and artists.
• Interaction between participatory and presentational forms of dance.
• Staging of folk and traditional dances.
• Issues of historically informed performance in contemporary dance.
• Historical aspects of dance performance (styles, personalities, techniques).
• Historical development of dance institutions and organizations (education and schools, participatory and presentational dance events, dance companies, etc.).

Choreological Theories and Methods

Thematic headings are set for questions, from which the student draws one in the examination and answers after a short preparation on the spot. The questions are made up of six fixed headings and one variable heading according to the student's selections.

• Dance as a specific art form, its participatory and presentational forms, aesthetic aspects, links with music and theatre.
• Possibilities of applying sociological approaches in the study of dance (dance as social behaviour and communication), theoretical background (sociology of the body and art), development, themes and representatives of the sociology of dance.
• Social functions of dance; dance institutions and organisations; social roles in dance (dance professions).
• Use of anthropological theories of culture in the study of dance.
• Methods and themes in the anthropological study of dance, major scholars.
• Basic issues of dance management, the position and specific problems of dance in the contemporary cultural market.
• Topics based on electives or elective courses taught in the relevant academic period, e.g. New Contexts of Traditional Dance through Examples and their Scholarly Interpretation.

Other academic duties

Characterisation of professional practice

Anticipated job placement for graduates (typical employment)

Graduates are able to integrate into the research process in choreology in a specific way, forming their own position in the field. They can find employment in the sphere of dance research, in the applied sphere (organization of dance events, journalistic activity), and if they have completed their pedagogical studies, in teaching dance history and theory at dance conservatories.