The TWM Munich is one of the oldest and largest university institutes offering Theatre Studies degrees in Germany. We are proud of being one of few departments to offer our students the entire range of theatre: drama, music theatre, dance theatre, and performance art. Numerous lectures and seminars also include film and other media, which we investigate in their (inter-)relationship with theatrical live performance.
Studying theatre at TWM our students learn to approach a variety of theatrical forms and genres of theatre from a critical, academic perspective. Thus, we do not specifically train future actors or directors, however, a university degree in Theatre Studies provides our students with essential knowledge and skills which are indispensable to any career in theatre and many other fields. Central to our teaching schedule are the three key clusters theatre history, performance analysis, and theatre theory. Moreover, students may enhance their knowledge in more specific fields such as theatre management, theatre journalism, and dramaturgy.
In the German academic system - unlike Anglo-American courses - practical work is not a compulsory, assessed element of the degree. However, TWM has its own studio theatre which offers the students the possibility of engaging in practical work on and behind the stage. Regular practical workshops are organized as well. Other than this, a number of classes are taught in a 'Practice-as-teaching'-mode, in close collaboration with local theatres, festivals, or practitioners, on location in theatre.
With numerous large-scale, publicly funded drama stages such as the Kammerspiele, Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel and Volkstheater, its two opera houses, the Nationaltheater and the Gärtnerplatz, a number of internationally renowned festivals, and a vibrant off- fringe theatre and dance scene, Munich is one of Germany's leading theatre cities, and thus an ideal basis for studying theatre where it happens!
Currently the whole degree structure at the LMU is being shifted to the BA/MA system. From autumn 2009 theatre studies will offer a three-year BA followed by the possibility of specialist MA degrees. These will include MAs in theatre studies, film studies, arts management and dramaturgy. The present Magister degree will then be discontinued.
According to the existing German degree system (Magister), students at TWM can choose to study theatre both as major or minor within their MA-combination (in contrast to university systems abroad, an MA in Germany is the first degree, and it includes one major and two minor subjects, with the possibility of combining any three subjects within the fields of humanities, taught at LMU Munich). TWM also offers the possibility of further research leading to PhD.
Years 1 and 2 (the so-called »Grundstudium«, foundation courses, corresponding to the Anglo-American undergraduate level) take our students up to »Zwischenprüfung«, a written intermediate exam, roughly equivalent to the BA exam, yet without a certified qualification degree. Having passed this watershed, students move into the Hauptstudium where seminars correspond with postgraduate level. As mentioned, they leave with their MA as first degree.
In contrast to other countries, Germany does not have a set module system. Thus each student chooses his/her courses individually, according to their own interests. Some specific courses, however, are mandatory in the foundation year. Later it is only the total number of courses to be taken and successfully passed with a ›Schein‹ (a marked certificate evaluating the student's success in participation and a written term paper, a ›Seminararbeit‹) which is prescribed; which these are, is left to the students' choice.
Thus, visiting students studying BA courses at home, would choose from any of the so-called »Proseminare« offered for our 1st and 2nd year students (»Proseminar I« designates the mandatory introductory courses in the first year, »Proseminar II« the options for the second). Postgraduate students, or advanced BA students in their final year of studies would chose from the »Hauptseminare«, combining them with a choice of »Vorlesungen« (Lectures). »Seminare« (seminars, obviously) are, as anywhere else, taught classes mainly consisting of discussions where students present papers and compose term papers which are assessed. Vorlesungen are open to students on all levels; here, the lecturer speaks on a specific subject to a larger audience. »Kolloquien« (the plural of Kolloquium), in addition, correspond to optional seminars without assessment: here it is all about debate and discussion, for any one from any level. »Praktikum« (practical work) usually take place in the studio space, usually, and is not, as mentioned, an obligatory part of the Theatre Studies course here.
It should be mentioned that most classes at TWM are taught in German. Thus, a sound knowledge of the language, at least in understanding the language - speaking will follow quickly, once you are here! - is a prerequisite for students from abroad considering spending some time at TWM.
