EPN-V2

DTV3301 Art of oral storytelling Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Muntlig fortellerkunst
Weight
30.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Course history
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
  • Introduction

    Oral storytelling art is an artistic form of expression that is mainly performed as a stage solo expression. Oral storytelling takes place as an open and direct interaction between the storyteller and the listeners. The goal of the study is to provide a fundamental introduction to the practice, distinctiveness, theory, and artistic function of oral storytelling in contemporary time. The subject is suitable for anyone who wishes to express themselves artistically through oral storytelling in various contexts such as on stage, in a library, at a museum, in school, and similar settings. Oral storytelling is a practice-oriented subject.

    If there is available capacity, the subject can be offered as a single course enrollment.

    The subject is divided into three main areas with a strong emphasis on the development of the student's artistic and professional proficiency in oral storytelling.

    These areas are:

    - Artistic practice

    - Performance

    - Theory

    There are compulsory assignments associated with each of these areas.

  • Recommended preliminary courses

    The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

    • one group project based on a one-act play
    • preparation of two dramaturgical analyses of two given plays
    • preparation of two directing concepts
    • preparation and performance of two stage presentations
    • one theoretical group assignment that reflects one or more dramaturgical issues
    • fellow students’ presentations and subsequent assessment
    • Particepate at two group stage presentations of dramaturgical analysis and directing concepts
    • attendance at minimum 6 different theatre productions

    In some cases, group tasks can be completed as individual tasks.

    Compulsory attendance at teaching activities:

    The students cannot be absent for more than 20% of teaching and supervision activities subject to an attendance and participation requirement.

  • Learning outcomes

    After completing this subject, the student will have the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills, and general competence:

    Knowledge

    • The student:Is familiar with the distinctiveness and history of oral storytelling.
    • Has fundamental knowledge of central artistic methods and theories in oral storytelling.
    • Has knowledge of narratives, forms of expression, and techniques.
    • Understands the relationship between processes in target audiences, contemporary times, and narratives.
    • Has knowledge of artistic practice as an exploration of oral storytelling.
    • Is familiar with artistic research as a research method.
    • Has insight into relevant results from research and developmental work from both national and international perspectives.

    Skills

    The student:

    • Can make their own artistic choices based on the distinctiveness of oral storytelling.
    • Can develop and perform storytelling performances for various target audiences.
    • Can master relevant artistic techniques through the performance of oral storytelling.
    • Can document and discuss their own professional practice in oral storytelling and adjust it under guidance.
    • Can organize storytelling projects for specific target audiences.
    • Can evaluate their own work as a storyteller in artistic practice.
    • Can develop their own storytelling practice in an artistic context.
    • Can utilize research as a foundation for their own storytelling practice.

    General Competence

    The student:

    • Can plan and execute artistic projects and assess relevant issues based on the distinctiveness of oral storytelling.
    • Can utilize and evaluate artistic tools and techniques in the development of their own artistic projects.
    • Can reflect on and explain their own and others' artistic choices in a storytelling performance.
    • Can analyze, discuss, and communicate their own and others' work in oral storytelling.
    • Can apply oral storytelling as a method in a public context based on ethical and aesthetic criteria.
    • Can independently use forms of documentation as a basis for further discussion in oral storytelling.
    • Can reflect on, analyze, and discuss artistic choices and contribute to the development of good storytelling practice.
    • Can convey central topics from oral storytelling both in writing, orally, and through relevant forms of expression.
  • Teaching and learning methods

    Learning takes place together with others. Therefore, it requires that the student is present and familiar with the content of the teaching. The subject is largely process-oriented and builds on the student's own activity.

    The subject emphasizes the practical side of the field by enabling the student to tell stories and facilitate storytelling situations.

    During the course of study, the student will encounter the following teaching and learning methods:

    • Courses/workshops
    • Seminars
    • Artistic project work
    • Instruction
    • Self-study
    • Oral and artistic presentations
    • Artistic lectures
    • Presentations
    • Performances
  • Course requirements

    All coursework and mandatory attendance must be fulfilled and approved before students can present themselves for the exam.

    Coursework Requirements

    • Conduct eight informal storytelling sessions in the local community and present a short log from these eight sessions as an oral presentation.
    • Conduct six storytelling sessions/performances in a public context.- Observe five storytelling performances by professional storytellers.
    • Plan, execute, and present an artistic storytelling practice focused on a specific theme for 15 hours, carried out individually.
    • Prepare a written note reflecting and discussing their own practice experience in relation to central theory.

    Coursework is assessed as approved/not approved. Unapproved coursework can be improved and resubmitted for reassessment.

    Mandatory Attendance

    Students cannot have more than 20% absence in teaching and supervision situations where attendance is required. This includes:

    • Artistic practice
    • Public storytelling situations
    • Instruction

    Refer to the teaching plans for further information about mandatory teaching and supervision.

  • Assessment

    Dramaturgy is for those who want to immerse themselves in the various processes and forms of expression in theatre.

    Dramaturgy is the tool of theatre.

    Dramaturgy is a full-time daytime study.

    Dramaturgy aims to further develop the students’ professionalism in relation to drama and theatre pedagogy.

    Applicants may be able to take this course as an individual course if there are vacant places.

    The programme comprises the following two main areas, dramaturgy and subject didactics.

  • Permitted exam materials and equipment

    Passed DT1000 Drama and Theatre Communication or equivalent.

  • Grading scale

    After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

    Knowledge

    The student:

    • has knowledge of dramaturgical text analysis in a historical and contemporary perspective
    • has knowledge of forms of communication and dramaturgical tools in scenic expressions
    • has knowledge of central theories, models and methods within dramaturgy in a production perspective
    • is familiar with research methods and has knowledge of ethics in the field of dramaturgy

    Skills

    The student:

    • can analyze, elucidate and evaluate different aspects in the field of theatre
    • can master practical work with dramaturgy and scenic instruments
    • can shape, prepare and apply a directing concept
    • can analyze, design, and evaluate dramaturgical concepts
    • can reflect on his/her own dramaturgical competence
    • can evaluate themselves as dramaturge in staging and group processes
    • has insight into different forms of dissemination and ethical issues

    General competence

    The student:

    • can reflect on and communicate knowledge about distinctive nature and directions
    • can recognize and master idioms and experiment with artistic expression
    • can plan and carry out projects over time based on various dramatic texts in accordance with ethical requirements and guidelines
    • can apply knowledge of forms of communication and dramaturgical tools in scenic expressions
    • can apply his/her dramaturgical expertise and make reasoned artistic choices
    • can contribute to nuanced views and experiences together with others in group processes and in scenic work
    • can make choices of drama and theme and apply this in meeting with different target groups
    • can apply central theories, models and methods within dramaturgy in a production perspective
  • Examiners

    The course is a full-time study during the day. It therefore assumes that the student (mainly) is present and is familiar with the knowledge content of the teaching.

    The course is process-oriented and builds on the student's own activity, both practical and theoretical. The study is very intensive and labor-intensive.

    The course emphasizes the practical side of the subject. The student will apply dramaturgy through various screenings.

    The work will mainly take the form of practical workshops with discussion and testing of ideas in plenary. Lectures and presentations are linked to practical work and theoretical material.

    The students will have great responsibility for their own learning, organization and implementation of the work in their groups. The students must demonstrate the ability to collaborate to create a safe and creative learning environment.

  • Overlapping courses

    The exam in the course is twofold:

    1. Development assignment - individual

    The assignment must be on an issue linked to dramaturgy and relevant theory. 4500-5500 Words.

    Assessed by two examiners. The course may be selected for grading by external examiners.

    The assessment counts for 40% of the final pass grade.

    The result of the exam can be appealed.

    2. Practical exam - group

    A group performance of approximately 20-30 minutes duration. Three weeks of preparation time is given. The group's written dramaturgical analysis and directing concept are submitted in advance.

    The assessment of the practical performance exam counts for 60% of the final pass grade. The result of the exam cannot be appealed.

    Assessment

    A grade scale with grades from A to E for pass (with A being the highest grade and E being the lowest pass grade) and F for fail is used for the final assessment.

    In some cases, the practical/oral group exams can be held as individual exams.

    Both parts of the exam must be awarded the grade E or better in order for the student to pass the course.

    Absence - fail

    Students who due to valid absence do not take one or several exam parts that make up the ordinary exam, or who are given an F in one or more of the exam parts that make up the exam, can register for a resit/rescheduled exam.

    If the student is taking the rescheduled exam in part 1 (the development project), it is done in the same way as for the ordinary exam. If the student is taking the resit exam, the development project that was graded F in the ordinary exam must be significantly reworked/improved - e.g. based on the grounds given for the grade.

    If the student is taking the resit/rescheduled exam in part 2, it must be taken pursuant to agreement with the student administration. Three weeks’ preparation time is given. The students are responsible for contacting the student administration themselves.