This course introduces and explores a series of core concepts that enable to critically discuss, position and investigate contemporary turns and transitions in the field of media, art and performance studies. We will focus three clusters of concepts that each address questions raised by 1) the proliferation of new technologies and processes of reproduction, digitization, and mediatization, 2) their impact on emergent performative, sensory, and 3) emergent cultural forms, participatory practices, and changing forms of spectatorship. Firstly, we will look at principles of staging, mediality and liveness. Secondly we will address the issues of materiality, tactility, and embodiment. The third set of concepts involves changing spatiotemporal arrangements, interactivity, and various forms of mobility. We will explore and reflect on the role of these concepts in current debates and trace their roots in historical theoretical discourse.

The course provides you with background knowledge and tools to reflect on the fundamentals of current debates within Media, Art and Performance Studies, and to prepare you for the core research seminars Play, Perform Participate and Between Media, Art and Performance (both in course period 2), and Body, Mind, Method (course period 3).