Content and structure of the programme

Context and basic concepts

Writing in Art and Culture is a modular study program that allows participants to navigate individually within a broad selection of courses and thus put together a tailor-made advanced studies program. The program can be studied as a CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies, 15 credits, 2 semesters) and as a DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies, 30 credits, 2 to 4 semesters). The DAS can in turn be extended to an MAS (Master of Advanced Studies in Creative Practice, 60 ECTS) in the same subject area. CAS and DAS Writing in Art and Culture are part of a new and unique cooperation of shared courses between the ZHdK departments of Cultural Journalism, Dramaturgy, Screenwriting, and Transdisciplinarity. They study the colloquium module together with the students of the new minor programme Creative Writing. The majority of the courses take place in the calendar weeks 02/03/04, 08/09/10 and in the spring semester.

Spectrum of content and learning objectives

The course content covers everything from narrative to documentary/journalistic and scenographic/dramatic approaches through to experimental approaches, both in traditional contexts such as the arts, theatre, music, film and design, and new hybrid fields where the arts and media overlap; from dealing with research, genres, materials and characters, to self-evaluation in aspects such as style, technique and craft, to deeper reflection on writing as a cultural technique in today’s digital world. Even if some of the individual courses have a decidedly subject-related focus, a degree of autonomy and a contextual reference, the programme is strongly committed to the idea of intermediality as a space for thought, for thinking, acting and concrete networking, in which “learners” can also become “teachers” (and vice versa) at any time.

Modes of working and networking

The focus is on individualized “active learning”, direct dialogue with lecturers and fellow students, and contact with professional actors/publication contexts. This generates texts or plays in some of the courses, which, if successful, are published in media such as the Reportagen magazine, the podcastlab platform, Kunstbulletin and the WOZ newspaper. Authors of manuscripts receive feedback from actors in the target contexts, including on how they can further develop their profile and increase their chances of funding and/or publication. In the realization of pieces, they also expand their repertoire in dealing with media, technology and professional roles.

Structure

The CAS programme is made up of three core subject areas (Modules 1–3), under which the courses are grouped according to their content. Students may choose one part of the CAS programme themselves, while another part is compulsory. The individual courses either take place as (weekly) blocks or on an ongoing basis.


Compulsory courses
The colloquium in Module 1 is a compulsory course for all students in which they can exchange experiences, network, and work in groups (peer-to-peer learning). It also includes compulsory ECTS credits in the form of a final thesis and mentored self-study.

Teaching language

The teaching language is German. Mentoring of texts, manuscripts and plays in English, French and Spanish is possible in discussion with the Head of Programme of the CAS.

Assessments

  • To round off the CAS: written thesis – text, scope differs depending on the medium, is agreed in discussion with the Head of Programme.
  • Different assessments may be required in the individual courses.

Duration

The CAS Writing in Art and Culture will start in January. Most courses will run between January and June. The thesis is due by the end of December.

The course can be expanded to an MAS Creative Practice.