German Theatre
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at students of all Humanities: its main objective is a mutual enrichment of knowledge and skills gained in the field of Literary/German Studies with those of Cultural Studies and Performance and Media Studies. History, theory, methods and topics of German drama and theatre are thus to be discussed, partly in seminar form, applied to dramaturgically/scenically/aesthetically significant examples, taken from modern and contemporary German Drama and Theatre. These examples will be considered both in their premises and development contexts as well as with regard to their dramaturgical, scenic and intermedial reception and to their intercultural mediation.
Expected learning outcomes
As far as the Dublin Descriptors are concerned, following learning outcomes are expected: Knowledge and understanding: overview on significant epochs of Modern/Contemporary German Drama and Theatre and of methods and theories of Theatre Studies in Germany, with particular regard to drama and performance analysis. Understanding of the main theoretical and methodological issues regarding the study of German Drama and Theatre and of its intercultural and intermedial adaptations. Applying knowledge and understanding: analysis skills with regard to the structure of modern drama and of performance, ability in discussing these issues in the class and of autonomously applying the developed methods on other examples (reading list); competencies in writing a paper on a case study (so called Hausarbeit), competencies and skills in teamwork (collective production of texts & materials for the mediation, communication, dissemination of German-language theatre in contemporary cultural contexts).
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
Course Title:
THE THEATRE OF BERTOLT BRECHT
The course is structured into the following three parts:
A: Thinking, Writing, and Making Theatre in Bertolt Brecht (Prof. Marco Castellari)
B: Methods and Practices in Theatre Studies: Text and Performance (Adjunct Lecturer)
C: Working with Brecht's Theatre Today (Adjunct Lecturer)
Part A (Prof. Marco Castellari) presents and discusses the theatre of Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), understood as thinking (theory), writing (dramaturgy), and making (directing and practice). Brecht's 'Theaterarbeit' will be examined within its historical, cultural, and artistic context—from his early years through his first Berlin period, to the long experience of exile (which will be given particular emphasis), and finally his return to Europe and theatrical work at the Berliner Ensemble.
Part B (adjunct lecturer) introduces the theory and practice of theatre studies in the German-speaking context. Following a historical-theoretical introduction, analytical tools for the study of dramatic theatre, staging, and sources will be presented. The methodologies discussed will then be applied to Brechtian theatre.
Part C (adjunct lecturer) focuses on adaptations and remediations of Brechtian theatre from the second half of the 20th century onwards. The teaching activity, structured as a seminar, includes the development of a group project.
Students wishing to earn 6 ECTS credits must follow the syllabus for Units A and B.
Students wishing to earn 9 ECTS credits must follow the syllabus for Units A, B, and C.
Students retaking the course in (History of) German Theatre are invited to meet with both instructors during office hours to adjust the syllabus accordingly.
The course syllabus is valid until September 2027.
From the following exam session onward, students may only be examined on the syllabus for the academic year 2026-27, which will focus on the theatre of Heinrich von Kleist.
THE THEATRE OF BERTOLT BRECHT
The course is structured into the following three parts:
A: Thinking, Writing, and Making Theatre in Bertolt Brecht (Prof. Marco Castellari)
B: Methods and Practices in Theatre Studies: Text and Performance (Adjunct Lecturer)
C: Working with Brecht's Theatre Today (Adjunct Lecturer)
Part A (Prof. Marco Castellari) presents and discusses the theatre of Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), understood as thinking (theory), writing (dramaturgy), and making (directing and practice). Brecht's 'Theaterarbeit' will be examined within its historical, cultural, and artistic context—from his early years through his first Berlin period, to the long experience of exile (which will be given particular emphasis), and finally his return to Europe and theatrical work at the Berliner Ensemble.
Part B (adjunct lecturer) introduces the theory and practice of theatre studies in the German-speaking context. Following a historical-theoretical introduction, analytical tools for the study of dramatic theatre, staging, and sources will be presented. The methodologies discussed will then be applied to Brechtian theatre.
Part C (adjunct lecturer) focuses on adaptations and remediations of Brechtian theatre from the second half of the 20th century onwards. The teaching activity, structured as a seminar, includes the development of a group project.
Students wishing to earn 6 ECTS credits must follow the syllabus for Units A and B.
Students wishing to earn 9 ECTS credits must follow the syllabus for Units A, B, and C.
Students retaking the course in (History of) German Theatre are invited to meet with both instructors during office hours to adjust the syllabus accordingly.
The course syllabus is valid until September 2027.
From the following exam session onward, students may only be examined on the syllabus for the academic year 2026-27, which will focus on the theatre of Heinrich von Kleist.
Prerequisites for admission
Students of all degree courses who are enrolled at least in the second year of a three-year degree course are admitted to the course, without specific prerequisites
Teaching methods
The course adopts following teaching methods: introductory lectures, plenum discussions, group and pair work, individual activities; reading and commenting on significant texts and passages, practical exercises on the use of sources for theatrical studies; viewing and commenting on documentaries, films and theatre performances; meeting with theatre artists and workers.
Teaching Resources
The course has a dedicated webpage on the My Ariel online teaching platform, which provides access to materials useful for attending the course, preparing for the exam, and consulting additional resources and information. Below are the study texts and assignments for attending students, followed by guidelines for non-attending students.
Please note:
An attending student is defined as one who participates actively and consistently in lectures, discussions, assignments, and proposed activities. Students who are present but do not engage actively, or who attend fewer than 75% of the classes, are considered non-attending.
Part A
A1 - Bertolt Brecht, five selected plays (from five different groups). Plays may be read in Italian or German; students specializing in German studies must read at least two plays in the original language. Use Suhrkamp editions (German) or Einaudi editions (Italian, some with facing German text).
Group 1
Die Dreigroschenoper (with listening)
Herr Puntila und sein Knecht Matti
Group 2
Die heilige Johanna der Schlachthöfe
Die Maßnahme
Group 3
Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui
Furcht und Elend des Dritten Reiches
Group 4
Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder
Leben des Galilei
Group 5
Der gute Mensch von Sezuan
Der kaukasische Kreidekreis
A2 - Bertolt Brecht, Scritti teatrali, Torino, 2001ff.
A3 - Marco Castellari, Bertolt Brecht, Rome 2026 (alternatively: Cesare Molinari, Bertolt Brecht, Rome 1996).
Part B
B1 - Materials provided by the lecturer, discussed and used in class, concerning the history, theory, and practice of German theatre studies, applied to Brecht (available in a dedicated folder on My Ariel).
B2 - Individual written assignment by each attending student, applying analytical skills developed during the course. The topic must be agreed upon with the lecturer and submitted in written form two weeks before the exam. BA students: approx. 10,000 characters; MA students: approx. 20,000 characters.
Part C
C1 - Materials provided by the lecturer, discussed and used in class (available in a dedicated folder on My Ariel).
C2 - Preparation, discussion, and collective presentation of a group project.
Guidelines for Non-Attending Students
Non-attending students must meet with both lecturers well in advance to receive guidance on exam preparation. Below is the minimum required bibliography.
Part Unit A
A1 - Bertolt Brecht, eight selected plays (from at least five different groups). Plays may be read in Italian or German; students specializing in German studies must read at least four plays in the original language. Use Suhrkamp editions (German) or Einaudi editions (Italian, some with facing German text).
Group 1
Die Dreigroschenoper (with listening)
Herr Puntila und sein Knecht Matti
Group 2
Die heilige Johanna der Schlachthöfe
Die Maßnahme
Group 3
Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui
Furcht und Elend des Dritten Reiches
Group 4
Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder
Leben des Galilei
Group 5
Der gute Mensch von Sezuan
Der kaukasische Kreidekreis
A2 - Bertolt Brecht, Scritti teatrali, Torino, from 2001 onward.
A3 - Marco Castellari, Bertolt Brecht, Rome 2026 (alternatively: Cesare Molinari, Bertolt Brecht, Rome 1996).
Part B
In-depth study of both of the following volumes is required:
B1 - Christopher Balme, Einführung in die Theaterwissenschaft, Berlin, 2003ff onward (also available in English: The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Studies, Cambridge, 2008ff).
B2 - L. Lari, Generi letterari. Dramma, Bari, 2004ff.
Part C
As group work is not feasible for non-attending students, they will independently study aspects of Brechtian theatre and its reception, preparing at least three of the following historical and/or critical readings (all available through the university library system):
- Alberto Benedetto, Brecht e il Piccolo Teatro. Una questione di diritti, Milano 2016;
- Massimo Bucciantini, Un Galileo a Milano, Torino 2017;
- Raffaella Di Tizio, L'opera dello straccione di Vito Pandolfi e il mito di Brecht nell'Italia fascista, Roma 2018;
- Francesco Fiorentino (ed.), Brecht e i media, Roma 2013;
- Francesco Fiorentino & Valentina Valentini (eds.), Brecht e la fotografia, Roma 2015;
Giorgio Strehler, Shakespeare Goldoni Brecht, Milano 2022.
Please note:
An attending student is defined as one who participates actively and consistently in lectures, discussions, assignments, and proposed activities. Students who are present but do not engage actively, or who attend fewer than 75% of the classes, are considered non-attending.
Part A
A1 - Bertolt Brecht, five selected plays (from five different groups). Plays may be read in Italian or German; students specializing in German studies must read at least two plays in the original language. Use Suhrkamp editions (German) or Einaudi editions (Italian, some with facing German text).
Group 1
Die Dreigroschenoper (with listening)
Herr Puntila und sein Knecht Matti
Group 2
Die heilige Johanna der Schlachthöfe
Die Maßnahme
Group 3
Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui
Furcht und Elend des Dritten Reiches
Group 4
Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder
Leben des Galilei
Group 5
Der gute Mensch von Sezuan
Der kaukasische Kreidekreis
A2 - Bertolt Brecht, Scritti teatrali, Torino, 2001ff.
A3 - Marco Castellari, Bertolt Brecht, Rome 2026 (alternatively: Cesare Molinari, Bertolt Brecht, Rome 1996).
Part B
B1 - Materials provided by the lecturer, discussed and used in class, concerning the history, theory, and practice of German theatre studies, applied to Brecht (available in a dedicated folder on My Ariel).
B2 - Individual written assignment by each attending student, applying analytical skills developed during the course. The topic must be agreed upon with the lecturer and submitted in written form two weeks before the exam. BA students: approx. 10,000 characters; MA students: approx. 20,000 characters.
Part C
C1 - Materials provided by the lecturer, discussed and used in class (available in a dedicated folder on My Ariel).
C2 - Preparation, discussion, and collective presentation of a group project.
Guidelines for Non-Attending Students
Non-attending students must meet with both lecturers well in advance to receive guidance on exam preparation. Below is the minimum required bibliography.
Part Unit A
A1 - Bertolt Brecht, eight selected plays (from at least five different groups). Plays may be read in Italian or German; students specializing in German studies must read at least four plays in the original language. Use Suhrkamp editions (German) or Einaudi editions (Italian, some with facing German text).
Group 1
Die Dreigroschenoper (with listening)
Herr Puntila und sein Knecht Matti
Group 2
Die heilige Johanna der Schlachthöfe
Die Maßnahme
Group 3
Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui
Furcht und Elend des Dritten Reiches
Group 4
Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder
Leben des Galilei
Group 5
Der gute Mensch von Sezuan
Der kaukasische Kreidekreis
A2 - Bertolt Brecht, Scritti teatrali, Torino, from 2001 onward.
A3 - Marco Castellari, Bertolt Brecht, Rome 2026 (alternatively: Cesare Molinari, Bertolt Brecht, Rome 1996).
Part B
In-depth study of both of the following volumes is required:
B1 - Christopher Balme, Einführung in die Theaterwissenschaft, Berlin, 2003ff onward (also available in English: The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Studies, Cambridge, 2008ff).
B2 - L. Lari, Generi letterari. Dramma, Bari, 2004ff.
Part C
As group work is not feasible for non-attending students, they will independently study aspects of Brechtian theatre and its reception, preparing at least three of the following historical and/or critical readings (all available through the university library system):
- Alberto Benedetto, Brecht e il Piccolo Teatro. Una questione di diritti, Milano 2016;
- Massimo Bucciantini, Un Galileo a Milano, Torino 2017;
- Raffaella Di Tizio, L'opera dello straccione di Vito Pandolfi e il mito di Brecht nell'Italia fascista, Roma 2018;
- Francesco Fiorentino (ed.), Brecht e i media, Roma 2013;
- Francesco Fiorentino & Valentina Valentini (eds.), Brecht e la fotografia, Roma 2015;
Giorgio Strehler, Shakespeare Goldoni Brecht, Milano 2022.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is an oral interview, usually in Italian. One can choose to take the exam in German, too. Items dealt with during the course and/or the preparation are to be discussed in an adequate form, as far as vocabulary, structure, content and critical spirit are regarded. Presentation and commenting on the individual acitivities and paper (if any) are also required. The oral test aims to verify the acquisition of the skills and knowledge described above and may differ on the basis of the chosen readings and of the activities planned for attending or non-attending students.
The final grade is expressed in thirtieths and takes into account, where applicable, the score obtained for the paper. The student has the right to refuse the grade (in this case the exam will be recorded with "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact both professors (mail; office hours). The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with both professors, in agreement with the competent Office.
The final grade is expressed in thirtieths and takes into account, where applicable, the score obtained for the paper. The student has the right to refuse the grade (in this case the exam will be recorded with "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact both professors (mail; office hours). The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with both professors, in agreement with the competent Office.
Professor(s)