The degree program in Theatre, Film, and Media Studies is based on the idea that each of the three individual fields benefits from engaging with the others. At the department, these three disciplines work hand in hand within an undergraduate program that explores the theories, practices, and apparatuses of theatre, film, and other media.
Theatre scholars, who are familiar with various historical and contemporary media, can engage more precisely with scenic work.
Film scholars, who also view smartphones, theater, and public spaces as sites for moving images, can provide more contemporary analyses of film and its contexts.
Media scholars, who analyze forms of theatrical and cinematic representation, can understand media not only as tools but also as experiences of staging the device.
The combination of Theatre, Film, and Media Studies is unique nationwide to Frankfurt. This theory-driven undergraduate program examines historical and contemporary forms of representation and communication in the fields of theatre, film, and media. It focuses on analyzing these forms and their institutional, societal, technical, and economic frameworks.
A significant portion of the work in the closely interconnected areas of teaching, study, and research involves reading, discussing, and writing. Practical components complement the theoretical and analytical-descriptive approaches by providing insights into fields of activity, working methods, and organizational structures within contemporary theatre, film, and media culture. However, this program does not train students to become journalists, directors, or performers.
An important part of the undergraduate studies in Theatre, Film, and Media takes place outside of formal coursework. The department’s activities are continually shaped by student initiatives. The ability to independently identify and connect the research focuses of Theatre, Film, and Media Studies is developed, expanded, and deepened on the department’s experimental stage and Digital Stage, through self-curated film series, or in the Game and TV Lounge.
Students also benefit from the department’s collaboration with cultural institutions in Frankfurt, such as Mousonturm and Frankfurt Lab, the German Film Institute (DFF), Kinothek Asta Nielsen e.V., Hessischer Rundfunk, and the Museum of Applied Art. Additionally, students gain from the department’s international orientation. Visiting international scholars are a regular presence, and students have the opportunity to participate in study visits through the department’s numerous Erasmus partnerships.