Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy

Faculty of Humanities

Programme book 2017

1 | WELCOME NOTE 4

2 | INTRODUCTION 5

8 | APPENDIX: GUIDELINES PEER-TO-PEER COACHING 35

3 1 | WELCOME NOTE

Dear students,

Welcome to the MA Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy programme at Utrecht University. For most of you this will be the first time you set foot in the city of Utrecht and at Utrecht University. Hence, this guide will help you find your way around the university, the programme, and the city a little more easily.

This MA programme is part of the MA Arts & Culture, which also includes programmes on Gender Studies, Applied Musicology and Arts & Society. During this programme you will encounter various members of our Theatre Studies staff at Utrecht University. Next to this MA programme, the staff also teaches in the (Dutch) BA Media and Culture Studies, and in the Research MA Media, Art and Performance Studies. Several PhD researchers (with various institutional backgrounds) complete our team and you may encounter some of them as well, during your studies with us.

The first part of this guide contains useful information about the MA Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy at the Department of Media and Culture Studies (Faculty of Humanities): included are the academic year calendar, a list of teachers and committees, as well as the names of the student advisors. This part also contains important information regarding the study programme, internship and thesis, and getting your degree. The second part lists some practical information, such as student’s communication, libraries and Internet facilities. The third part is there to help you have fun, and lists our recommendations for theatre, dance and performance festivals and venues, bars, restaurants and cinemas, as well as handy information on student discounts. Through our monthly newsletter, we will keep you posted on interesting performances, conferences, lectures and so on throughout the year.

We hope that this guide will help you to take full advantage of everything the city of Utrecht has to offer academically as well as leisure wise. If you have any further questions, check the website students.uu.nl/en/hum/contemporary-theatre-dance-and-dramaturgy, ask your fellow students or your supervisor, and if this leaves your question still unresolved, do not hesitate to contact the programme coordinator, Liesbeth Groot Nibbelink: [email protected].

In case you come across useful information for other (prospect) students during your time here, please let us know, so we can include it in next year’s edition!

Please enjoy your stay in Utrecht! The staff of MA Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy

Photo: Sanne Peper

4 2 | INTRODUCTION

What can theatre tell us about everyday life in a digital culture? How does dance inform and shape society? How can we analyse, interpret and respond to this — as critical thinkers? In this programme we will jointly investigate and reflect on the dynamic ways in which theatrical and choreographic practices engage with a society in transition. Contemporary performance practices are increasingly hybrid projects that approach and transcend the borders of theatre, dance, visual arts, music, media and daily life. Theatre and dance are inextricably linked with other media that shape our reality; they extend beyond the theatre’s walls and inject themselves into our daily lives. At Utrecht University, we focus in particular on contemporary performance within a European context, as this is precisely the place where these exciting new developments take place. The expansion of performance does not only pertain to practices, but to theories as well. Theories and concepts derived from the performing arts are progressively deployed in critical and cultural theory and (social) science. Such a field in transition demands an approach that studies theatre and dance as intermedial and interdisciplinary phenomena, and addresses the interrelationships of these phenomena, the audience and the socio-cultural context.

This dynamic is the focus of our Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy programme. In the programme, we will reflect on and contextualise these developments, in order to help you in becoming a performing arts professional, who is able to articulate (dramaturgical) observations and to analyse emerging trends and theories. This program develops your skills in studying artistic making processes, to inspire that process, and to maintain a productive dialogue with various partners in these processes (performers, directors, designers, theorists). You will get acquainted with doing research for a variety of ends: dramaturgical and theoretical research, research for conferences, debates or festivals, and field-research on emerging trends and topics. Through a range of (group) assignments and meetings with practitioners and scholars, you are able to train verbal and professional communication skills relevant to the field. Above all, we will develop your writing skills, so that by the end of the programme, you will know how to articulate your thoughts, how to build an argument, how to think dramaturgically and critically. You will learn how to make sense of and be sensitive to current developments in the field, and will know why such skills are vital instruments for engaging with contemporary theatre, dance and performance.

5 3 | WHO IS WHO?

3.1 | Teachers Below you will find the contact details of the academic staff, including their research interests and courses they teach. Photos are by Bram Kloos.

Maaike Bleeker Chair Theatre Studies [email protected]

Maaike Bleeker is Professor in and Chair of Theatre Studies. In her research she combines performance and dance studies with media theory and philosophy, engaging with questions about perception, cognition, embodiment, in particular related to science and technology. She was also chair of Performance Studies international.

Course: Expanding Performance

Liesbeth Groot Nibbelink Programme coordinator [email protected]

Liesbeth Groot Nibbelink is Assistant Professor in theatre and performance studies. Her research areas include theorizing movement and mobility in performance, the dramaturgy of scenography, curating, and transdisciplinary and performative research methods. She is co-founder of Platform- Scenography, a transdisciplinary platform of scenographers, scholars and dramaturges.

Courses: Contemporary Performance: Mapping the Field and Performance Research Lab: Act I

Chiel Kattenbelt [email protected]

Chiel Kattenbelt is Associate Professor in media comparison and intermediality. In teaching as well as research, his fields of interest are theatre and media theory, media comparison and intermediality, aesthetics and semiotics, and the role of theatre in today’s performative and media-saturated culture. He is also a member of the board of the International Society for Intermedial Studies.

Course: Theories & Concepts of Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy

Sigrid Merx [email protected]

Sigrid Merx is Assistant Professor in theatre studies. Her areas of interest include performative interventions in public urban space, art and activism, dramaturgy and scenography and performative research methods. She is co-founder of Platform- Scenography, a transdisciplinary platform of scenographers, scholars and dramaturges.

Courses: Performance Research Lab: Act II, and Dramaturgical Practices: Theatre and Dance, group 1 – Doing Dramaturgy in Theatre and Performance

Laura Karreman [email protected]

Laura Karreman is a Lecturer in dance and performance studies. Her research is situated at the interdisciplinary intersection of dance transmission practices, digital technologies and critical approaches of embodiment. She engages with questions about movement and representation and investigates notions of performance as knowledge. She has acted as a dramaturge in the Dutch theatre and dance field and worked as a performing arts advisor for the Amsterdam Art Fund.

Courses: Performance Research Lab: Act II, and Dramaturgical Practices: Theatre and Dance, group 2 - Writing Dancing.

Eugene van Erven Head of Department [email protected]

Eugene van Erven is Professor in Media, Performance and the City and teaches and coordinates the module ‘Community Art: Practice and Theory’ in the BA minor Creative Cities. He is also artistic director of ICAF, International Community Arts Festival. In the 2016-2017 season, Eugene is not actively involved in our MA programme, due to his work as Head of Department. If you need some specific expertise on community art though, it is good to know he is in the house.

3.2 | Supervision During the first month of the programme, each student will be assigned a personal supervisor, who is a member of the academic staff. The supervisor is a reference point throughout the year. S/he will monitor your progress and advise you on questions or problems you may encounter. The

7 supervisor will also supervise your MA Thesis and MA Internship. In case of special circumstances, you are advised to go to the study-advisor. Together with the study advisor, and in dialogue with the supervisor, we will then discuss ways to adjust your study plan.

3.3 | Study advisor The study advisor can help you with questions about the more formal aspects of planning and putting together your degree programme, as well as your study progress or lack thereof. You can go to the study advisor for counselling and advice regarding: • exam requirements and complex curriculum planning • applications for exemptions • studying with a handicap or disability • study problems (such as a lack of motivation, conflicts with lecturers or other UU employees, personal circumstances that could impede the progress of your studies) • study delay due to special personal circumstances (such as illness for example, or financial problems) • ending your studies and termination of enrolment

MA Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy’s study advisor is Ivana Cerovecki. If you think you are falling behind, please contact her via [email protected]. You can also visit her in person: her office is room 0.12 in Muntstraat 2A.

3.4 | Curriculum committee / Board of examiners All master’s programmes in the Netherlands are obliged to have a so-called curriculum committee, which consists of as many students and teachers. This committee’s task is to advise on the Education and Examination Regulations, to monitor the quality of the programme, to address programme-related issues and problems and to advise on the development and execution of education policy. The opinion of students plays an important role in these tasks as well: course evaluations and other student-initiated evaluations are given serious attention. The committee consists of MA Arts & Culture staff, and a student representative of each of the related MA programmes. The Board of examiners is responsible for ensuring the quality of interim and final examinations and objectively determining whether a student has passed the final exam. The board gives out diplomas, deals with possible cases of fraud or plagiarism, and evaluates requests for delaying graduation, exemption or approval of non-standard units. In case you want to submit a request for approval of courses taken outside this master’s programme or for an exemption from certain parts of the programme, please contact this board.

3.5 | Study association Our programme does not have a separate student’s association solely for MA students, but we would like to mention the study association for the BA programme Media and Culture Studies: AKT (www.akt-online.nl). AKT organises activities to explore the field of Media and Culture Studies and can also help you with all your questions regarding studying at Utrecht University. Furthermore, MA students of Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy maintain a lively Facebook group, and we also encourage you to subscribe to our LinkedIn group (www.linkedin.com/groups/8466367). To round up, our Why Theatre?! meetings are the place to be for live community building (see 5.2). If you are interested in making and presenting your own performance work (there is a small theatre and related facilities in Parnassos Cultural Centre at Kruisstraat 201, and a small black box theatre in the UU building at Kromme Nieuwegracht 80), please contact Productiebureau Theater (PBT) at [email protected].

3.6 | Partner organisations During the programme, we collaborate with various partners and festivals; amongst others Het Huis Utrecht, Theater Kikker, SPRING Festival, HKU University of the Arts / MA Scenography, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Veem House for Performance, MA Theatre Practices ArtEZ, DasArts and the students’ research initiative The Young. Our research activities are connected to various partner organisations such as Performance Studies international, the International Society for Intermedial Studies, Platform-Scenography and Utrecht University’s Media and Culture Studies research group [urban interfaces].

3.7 | Student desk / Student services At the student desk you can address all kinds of study related issues, such as course enrolment, time schedules, registration of course results, financial matters, internship registration and graduation. The student desk is also the place to be for making appointments with the study advisor and the career officer, authentication of diplomas and study results, or applications for exemption. Contact: [email protected]. Address: Drift 10, open from Monday till Friday from 11.00–15.00hrs. Phone: +31302546285, Monday till Friday from 11.00–12.30hrs and 13.00–15.00hrs

3.8 | Career Services The programme and the department collaborate with Career Services to make career orientation an integrated part of your programme. The Humanities Faculty has its own career officer: Sjoer Bergervoet. You can contact her for questions regarding future job options, for practicing a job interview or screening your resume. You can schedule an appointment with her at the student desk (see above). Career services also offers help on the road to the job market through workshops, tests and tips concerning career orientation, networking and applying for a job. For more information: www.uu.nl/careerservices.

3.9 | Student psychologist Utrecht University has two student psychologists: Fokke Dijkstra and Renske Marechal. If you are a Dutch student, you can schedule an appointment yourself via www.students.uu.nl/afspraak- maken-met-een-studentenpsycholoog. If you are an international student, please contact the psychologists either by phone (+31302537000; Monday till Friday from 10.00–12.00hrs and 13.00–15.00hrs) or by coming to the desk (Heidelberglaan 6 (that’s at the Uithof); Monday till Friday from 10.00–16.00hrs) to schedule an introductory meeting. During the introductory meeting, the student psychologist will investigate your problem. Sometimes this initial meeting will be sufficient to assist you with your problem, sometimes more meetings will be required. Either way, the student psychologists are happy to help.

9 4 | IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES

4.1 | Academic year Utrecht University’s academic year is divided into two semesters (September till January and February till June). Each semester is divided into two blocks of approximately nine weeks. In each block you take three courses worth 5EC (so, in total, that is 15EC). Four blocks of 15EC each make the 60EC you are expected to retrieve in this one-year master’s programme. Between block 3 and 4 you will get a week off, which is called ‘onderwijsvrije week’. This is something else than what we call a reflection week, which is actually the last week of every block (and therefore no week off, but a week to digest the courses and related experiences in the preceding block). You will find a small schedule for the academic year 2017-2018 below.

Semester I First block: September 4th 2017 (week 36: reflection week November 6th — 10th) Second block: November 13th 2017 (week 46: reflection week January 29th — February 2nd)

Christmas break: December 23rd 2017 — January 7th 2018 (week 52 and week 1)

Semester II Third block: February 5th 2018 (week 6: reflection week April 9th — 13th) Non-teaching days: April 16th — 20th 2018 Fourth block: Monday April 23rd 2018 (week 17: reflection week June 25th — 29th)

Detailed information on the Academic Year Calendar can be retrieved through the student’s website.

4.2 | Holidays The university buildings, except for the libraries, are closed on official Dutch holidays and the day after Ascension Day. These holidays are listed below for the academic year 2017–2018.

Christmas & Boxing Day: December 25th and 26th 2017 King’s Day: April 27th 2018 New Year’s Day: January 1st 2018 Liberation Day: May 5th 2018 Good Friday: March 30th 2018 Ascension Day: May 10th 2018 Easter: April 1st and 2nd 2018 Whitsun: May 20th and 21th 2018

4.3 | Enrolment dates and deadlines You need to register for your courses in the second semester yourself (which will probably only concern the MA thesis; enrolment for the MA internship is organised differently, see 5.4). You can do this via OSIRIS from October 31st till November 27th. If you need to change the courses you are enrolled in, you can do that before the start of every block. These dates are October 31st for block 2, January 23rd for the third block and April 3rd for block 4. You can use the date for block 2 also to switch work groups in the Dramaturgical Practices course. For this course we offer two work groups: Doing Dramaturgy in Theatre and Performance (group 1), and Writing Dancing (group 2). It is also possible to take both work groups (counting as two elective courses). For this option, you will need to ask permission from the Exam Committee and, due to administrative reasons. One of the work groups will then be registered as an Individual Course. If you are interested in this option, contact the programme coordinator. The coordinator will provide you with a letter of support, to be added to the request for the Exam Committee. See also this website: http://students.uu.nl/en/hum/contemporary-theatre-dance-and- dramaturgy/practical-information/academic-policies-and-procedures/approval-and-exemption.

10 4.4 | Important dates specific to the programme You will of course have several deadlines and important dates in the coming year. Deadlines regarding papers and other assignments are mentioned in the course manuals you will receive prior to the start of a course module. Other important dates are listed here:

Block Date

Block 1 Internship Lab I: Thursday November 9th 2017, 13.15-17.00hrs

Block 2 Internship Lab II: Thursday February 1st 2018, 13.15-17.00hrs

Block 3 Group Tutorial: Monday February 19th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

Block 3 Group Tutorial: Monday March 12th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

Block 3 Group Tutorial: Monday April 9th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

Block 4 Group Tutorial: Monday May 14th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

Block 4 Group Tutorial: Monday June 11th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

Block 4 Thesis deadline: June 30th 2018 (graduation in July)

Summer Thesis deadline: August 15th 2018 (graduation in August)

Summer End of the season meeting: Monday August 27th 2018

4.5 | Graduation ceremony Our programme organises a graduation ceremony a couple of times per year. The planned graduation ceremonies are listed below. The exact time and location of the graduation ceremony will be announced in a personal invitation that you receive by email. At Utrecht University, you graduate automatically. This means that as soon as you have received 60 ECs and you have met all the required components of this master’s programme, you will graduate. This does not mean you are also automatically unrolled from Utrecht University; that is something you need to do yourself! In case you like to take additional courses, you are requested to contact the Board of examiners (see 3.4) in order to arrange this. On the International Diploma Supplement your GPA will be mentioned. The GPA of a master programme is based on the weighted average of all final grades of the programme’s courses. The Master's Degree may be awarded 'cum laude' if each of the following conditions has been met: • a weighted average mark of at least 8.0 has been earned for the components of the study programme • the mark for all components is 7.0 or higher • the credit load of exemptions that do not count does not exceed 15 EC • the Board of Examiners has not taken any decision about fraud or plagiarism • the mark for the final thesis is 8.5 or higher • the student has passed the final examination of the Master’s Degree Programme within one year (part-time within 2 years).

11 5 | PROGRAMME INFORMATION

5.1 | Programme outline The programme aims to train independent thinkers who are able to critically reflect on contemporary performance. This means that you will get thoroughly acquainted with the latest developments in theatre, dance and dramaturgy as well as with contemporary critical and theoretical approaches that are relevant to performance. The rationale behind the programme’s structure is based on two learning trajectories: one is oriented towards introducing you to developments in theatre, dance and dramaturgy, both theoretically as well as related to practice; the second trajectory focuses on the development of research, academic and professional skills. More precisely, in block 1 all the activities are oriented towards acquiring knowledge of the field by introducing you to actual debates in academic discourse (Theories & Concepts in Theory, Dance and Dramaturgy) and contemporary developments in the field (Mapping the Field), and through their combination, learning how to apply theory and concepts in performance analysis. In Performance Research Lab: Act 1, we will introduce you to methods and methodological debates in the field and explore various modes of doing research. In block 2, we will focus on extended fields of research (Expanding Performance) and upon practical and theoretical knowledge of dramaturgy in theatre or in dance (Dramaturgical Practices: Theatre and Dance). You may also opt for exchanging one of these courses for an elective course from the related MA Arts & Culture programmes (but more on the elective courses below). Additionally, in Performance Research Lab: Act 2, you will start mapping the field of your own research interest; you learn to compose a thesis proposal and a work-plan for the internship. In blocks 3 and 4 you complete your thesis, and you become more actively engaged with the professional field during your research internship.

In a scheme, the Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy programme looks like this:

Block 1 Performance Research Lab: Theories & Concepts of Contemporary Performance: Act I (5 EC, compulsory) Theatre and Dance, Mapping the Field (5 EC, Dramaturgy (5 EC, compulsory) compulsory) Block 2 Performance Research Lab: Elective: Expanding Performance (5 EC) Act II (5 EC, compulsory) Dramaturgical Practices: Theatre and Dance Group 1: Doing Dramaturgy in Theatre and Performance (5 EC) or Group 2: Writing Dancing (5 EC) Blocks 3 MA Thesis (15 EC, compulsory) and 4 MA Internship (15 EC, compulsory)

For those who have opted for the part-time track of this programme, the scheme looks like this:

Block 1, Performance Research Lab: Theories & Concepts of Theatre and Dance, year 1 Act I (5 EC, compulsory) Dramaturgy (5 EC, compulsory)

Block 2, Elective: Expanding Performance (5 EC) year 1 OR Dramaturgical Practices: Theatre and Dance (either of both work groups; 5 EC) Blocks 3 MA Research Internship (15 EC, compulsory) and 4, year 1 Block 1, Contemporary Performance: Mapping the Field (5 EC, compulsory) year 2

12 Block 1, Performance Research Lab: Elective: Expanding Performance (5 EC) year 2 Act II (5 EC, compulsory) OR Dramaturgical Practices: Theatre and Dance (either of both work groups; 5 EC) OR Elective course from related MA programmes Block 3 MA Thesis (15 EC, compulsory) and 4, year 2

5.2 | Courses In this section we provide short descriptions of the course modules. See for an elaborated overview the student’s website.

Theories & Concepts of Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy (compulsory; block 1) The Theories & Concepts course introduces students to a selection of theoretical concepts and approaches that address current developments such as the increased interdisciplinarity of contemporary performance, new hybrid forms, new approaches to representation, as well as radical changes in spectatorial address. In this course, we will critically discuss, assess and contextualise a series of theoretical concepts: postdramatic theatre, performance & performativity, theatricality & representation, intermediality, digital culture & posthumanism and corporeal literacy.

Contemporary Performance: Mapping the Field (compulsory; block 1) Mapping the Field explores and maps recent trends and topics in the field of European theatre, dance and performance. We will discuss and query what are relevant concepts, sources and discourses to engage with current societal, political and aesthetic developments, and investigate how we can use these to contextualise contemporary performance. Students learn to compose and write a contextual analysis, which addresses relations between emerging artistic practices, dramaturgical strategies, social worlds and cultural debates. Visits to performances, festivals and other events are a constitutive part of this course.

Performance Research Lab: Act I (compulsory; block 1) The first Performance Research Lab introduces you to a range of research methodologies in performance and to related debates on the role of theory and methodology in the Humanities (with a focus on our field of research). Through cross-sections with the courses of the first block, WhyTheatre?! sessions and presentations by (PhD) researchers and practitioners, students specifically get acquainted with three types of research methodology in performance: activating theoretical frameworks, ethnographic / contextual analysis and dramaturgical research.

Expanding Performance (elective; block 2) In Expanding Performance, we will jointly investigate how concepts and practices of theatre, dance and performance intersect with other fields of knowledge and expertise, and how such transdisciplinary encounters help us both to gain insight into current transitions in the performing arts as well as offer ways to understand and research phenomena and developments in other fields. We will explore how performance artists and scholars expand their sphere of engagement and relevance, increasingly use theatrical and choreographic concepts, forms and formats to investigate parliamentary and legislative systems, treatment of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, or robotics. Various researchers will be invited into the course.

Dramaturgical Practices: Theatre and Dance (elective; block 2) The Dramaturgical Practices course consists of two separate work groups to facilitate working with smaller groups – since this course closely collaborates with practitioners and other arts

13 professionals. The working groups are scheduled on different days, and it is also possible to choose both working groups as your elective courses. In that case, one of these groups will be registered as an individual course; please consult the course coordinator if you are interested in this option.

Group 1: Doing Dramaturgy in Theatre and Performance Doing Dramaturgy introduces you to different approaches in dramaturgy and actively trains dramaturgical skills, with a focus on dramaturgical feedback and dramaturgical analysis as 'reverse engineering'. The former entails the skill to engage in a productive dialogue with art practitioners about their work, practice and research, whereas the latter entails a dramaturgical mode of looking at and writing about performance and performance texts.

Group 2: Writing Dancing Writing Dancing aims to develop discursive and writing skills for critically exploring the field of contemporary dance from a dramaturgical point of view. Through attending performances and artistic processes, talks and festivals, as well as engaging with conceptual intersections between critical theory, dramaturgical practice and dance production in scholarly and ‘independent’ literature, students become familiar with different registers of writing such as dance criticism, co-authored essays, scores, position papers, feedback reports and dramaturgical analysis.

Performance Research Lab: Act II (compulsory; block 2) The second Performance Research Lab is geared towards your own area of interest and specialisation, and is a preparation for your MA thesis. We will start with shared research interests and group assignments, which gradually evolves towards composing your individual research plan. We will address various phases in composing such a plan such as field and desk research, theoretical framework and questions of methodology, also continuing our work in the first Lab. By the end of this course, students will have composed a research plan, and will be ready to start writing their thesis. WhyTheatre?! sessions and presentations by (PhD) researchers and practitioners contribute to this end. The course closes with presentations of thesis plans for fellow students and staff.

WhyTheatre?! Partly integrated within the courses and occasionally an extra-curricular event, we organise a number of WhyTheatre?! sessions, often in collaboration with Het Huis (www.hethuisutrecht.nl). WhyTheatre?! is a series of guest lectures and meetings with theatre and dance researchers, visiting scholars, and arts professionals. We use these sessions to focus on specific research projects or actual developments in the field. Previously, we held sessions on for instance theatre and disabilities studies; performance art and participation; performance, memory, and technology; and dance and neuroscience.

5.3 | Thesis Together with your internship, the MA thesis is the last course in this programme, in which you demonstrate that you are capable of independently carrying out research and to report on your findings in a way that complies with the rules and methods appropriate in our area of academics. The thesis process emphasises self-reliance and encourages the student to develop a personal approach with regards to a particular research question he or she wishes to investigate and write about.

Requirements The subject of the MA Thesis fits the profile of this MA programme, and hence relates to the academic field of contemporary theatre, dance or performance studies. A proper MA Thesis addresses a topic that is being discussed in the scholarly world, or a particular phenomenon that needs discussion, and about which the final word has not yet been said. Through your research you

14 will arrive at new conclusions on the basis of solid argumentation and in that way you will contribute to the discourse surrounding your thesis topic.

Time investment and EC You are required to spend a total of 420 hours (15 EC) on your thesis. This equals a time investment of 10,5 weeks working full time or 21 weeks part-time (in case you are doing a part- time internship simultaneously) The thesis must be completed within one block (full time) or two blocks (half time).

20EC Thesis Note that it is possible to do a 20 EC Thesis, related to a 10 EC Internship (not the other way around). If you are interested in this option, discuss it with your supervisor. A 20EC Thesis comprises of 16.000-20.000 words and corresponds to 560 hours time investment. A 10EC Internship report comprises of 4000 words, the internship corresponds to 280 hours time investment. You will need to ask permission of the Exam Committee. Discuss this with supervisor, prior to contacting the programme coordinator. If the supervisor and the programme coordinator grant permission, the coordinator will provide you with a letter of support, which you can add to your request to the exam committee. See also this website: http://students.uu.nl/en/hum/contemporary-theatre-dance-and-dramaturgy/practical- information/academic-policies-and-procedures/approval-and-exemption.

Forms and regulations In the following sections you will read various references to forms, protocols and regulations. You can find all these forms on the student’s website.

Thesis Plan In the first semester you develop a detailed research proposal in Research Lab II, which forms the starting point for your thesis. Before starting the thesis, your supervisor and a second evaluator need to approve this Thesis Plan.

The Thesis Plan (2000 words, not counting bibliography and time planning) contains the following elements: • a brief introduction to the subject, including an explanation why you chose it • a clearly formulated central thesis or research question and a number of additional sub questions • a description of the proposed theoretical framework related to the research question (e.g. fundamental concepts, central arguments, key authors, relevant theoretical traditions) • a description of your methodological approach, including a substantiated indication of the research material you expect to find and of the considerations that play a role in determining and limiting it (how much, how long, what and why, and what not) and how findable and accessible these prospective sources are • a presentation of a preliminary literature survey (working bibliography), in which the findability and accessibility of the proposed sources is taken into consideration • a time planning which indicates what specific steps will be taken at what particular moment in time and what the proposed date is for completing the final version of the thesis

15 Contents Thesis A thesis (12.000-15.000 words) contains the following elements: • a research question or formulation of a problem • a critical description of the current state of affairs with regards to the chosen topic based on relevant literature and other sources • a critical justification of why particular sources have been chosen • a description and motivation of the chosen research method(s) and a report on the search for research materials • an extended argument through which the material is analysed and presented in a clear, logical, and convincing manner with reference to the original research question • a conclusion of which the central focus is a critical reflection on the initial research question (or problem) and which also includes suggestions for further research • footnotes or endnotes that comply with international conventions • a bibliography that complies with international conventions

In addition, the thesis contains a short summary (abstract) of about 300 words to be put before the optional Foreword and the Content Outline, without using a page number.

Planning and deadlines The deadline for the thesis plan is February 5th 2018. Preferably, the thesis is written in block 3. During the Christmas and Summer holidays you are not entitled to supervision. This means that a definitive version of the thesis must be handed in to your supervisor and second evaluator no later than June 30th 2018, when you wish to graduate in July. The next and final possibility to hand in your definitive version is August 15th 2018.

Supervision You always write your thesis under the supervision of a member of the academic staff in your chosen field of study, i.e. someone who possesses relevant expertise to guide you and provides constructive comments on your work. The supervisor appointed to you will also supervise your thesis. However, while researching and writing the thesis, you remain responsible for your own progress at all times. In addition, the coordinator of the program assigns a so-called 'second evaluator' who will assess your thesis plan (research proposal) and final thesis. In order to lay a solid basis for your thesis and internship you will meet with your supervisor a couple of times during the first semester. These meetings are intended to help you acquire greater clarity in your research focus and ambitions and towards fine-tuning internship plans and prospects. At the beginning of the period in which you have chosen to write your thesis (preferably block 3), you make appointments to consult with your supervisor. As a basic guideline you are entitled to have five of these sessions with your supervisor. You are expected to take the initiative for arranging these meetings. Make sure you schedule these meetings with plenty of notice. Check with your supervisor the best way to contact her/him (email, phone). We would like to emphasise that personal supervision is not unlimited and that you are expected to do your utmost to finish the entire study programme within twelve months. If your progress is delayed by more than half a year, you may lose your personal supervision altogether.

The scheme below provides a global indication of how to plan the supervisor meetings during your first and second semester. The meetings in the second semester start once your thesis proposal has officially been approved, and takes place within a period of ten weeks or twenty weeks (if you write your thesis part-time).

16 First semester Aim of meetings

Meeting 1 • Getting acquainted • Discuss first orientation on thesis ideas and possible research phenomena • Questions that may help you prepare for this meeting: - What kind of artistic and theoretical work fascinates you? - What kind of topics and phenomena are you interested in?

Meeting 2 • Present your preliminary research topic(s) to your supervisor in the reflection week (end of block 1). • Preparation: make an inventory of potential thesis topics including a short motivation (concise description of phenomena and possibly related questions, cases, academic sources) and send this to your supervisor prior to the meeting.

Meeting 3 • Present your draft research proposal (thesis plan) to your fellow students and staff members, including your supervisor and second reader in the last course week of Research Lab II (Thesis Plan Presentation Day).

Second semester Aim of meetings

Meeting 1 • Discussing feedback from both supervisor and second reader (week 1) • Handing in final thesis plan and signing Humanities Thesis Protocol (week 2)

Meeting 2 • Handing in (week 3) and receiving feedback (week 4 / 5) on a draft chapter on theoretical framework and methodology

Meeting 3 • Handing in (week 5) and receiving feedback (week 6 / 7) on a draft chapter

Meeting 4 • Handing in complete draft thesis (week 8) and receiving detailed commentary (week 9 / 10)

Meeting 5 • Handing in final version thesis (end of week 10) • Discussing the final assessment of both supervisor and second reader

Procedures and Grading If your supervisor is affiliated with the programme, he or she will be your first evaluator. Your thesis will be graded by two evaluators, who will fill out the evaluation form separately and come to a final grade after joint consultation. Once the student has handed in the final version of the thesis, the evaluators have ten working days to evaluate the thesis and inform the student on the final grade. If the first and second evaluator request assistance, and in cases in which the first and second evaluator cannot agree on the final grade for a thesis, a third evaluator will be approached and consulted by the first evaluator. The student will be given notice by the first evaluator that a third evaluator has been engaged and that the grading period of ten working days will be extended by another ten working days. The third evaluator evaluates the grade of the first and second evaluator by examining their provisional grades and argumentation. The judgement of the third evaluator is binding. If the third evaluator agrees with the other two evaluators on the proposed grade (if all evaluators agree), no further argumentation is needed. A brief explanation will otherwise suffice.

17 Eventually the master’s thesis should be uploaded in the digital theses archive of the University Library (Igitur). This is a compulsory part of graduating. It is also possible to view the work of other students in Igitur, sorted by faculty.

Plagiarism Utrecht University considers any form of academic dishonesty to be a very serious offense (see also 5.7). Utrecht University expects each student to be familiar with and to observe the norms and values that ensure academic integrity. Therefore, when you start writing your thesis you will have to hand in the Plagiarism Rules Awareness Statement. With this, you declare to know about and abide by the norms and rules on fraud and plagiarism of Utrecht University.

Evaluation form Two evaluators will assess the thesis by filling out a standard evaluation form. This form can also be found on this website: https://students.uu.nl/en/hum/contemporary-theatre-dance-and- dramaturgy/study-programme/graduation-project. In principle, the aspects 1 till 7 listed on this form all must be assessed satisfactory in order to pass the Master’s thesis. So it is possible that a thesis fails due to failing one of these aspects, while other requirements are met satisfactorily. Moreover, the thesis must fulfil the formal preconditions, which are also mentioned on the evaluation form. If these preconditions are not fulfilled, the thesis may not be evaluated.

5.4 | Internship The internship is an important component of the MA Contemporary Theatre, Dance and Dramaturgy. It provides an opportunity to bridge theory and practice, to acquire first-hand experience of working professionally in the field of theatre and dance, and to deepen research skills. Ideally, the focus of your internship closely relates to your MA Thesis topic. The internship consists of a practical work placement next to carrying out research in or related to this placement, and writing an internship report. An internship may consist of dramaturgical, directorial, educational, or curatorial assistance to a professional practitioner, performance companies, theatre / dance production houses or cultural institutions; artistic or archival research for a dance, theatre or multimedia performance company; other types of field-oriented research for cultural or arts organisations. The internship can also be designed as a practical research project. In the latter case your time will be divided between working with (more than one) organisations and/or artists and researching literature, according to your specific research question. You will thus design a multifaceted internship track to investigate a particular phenomenon or problem in the field through observation, mapping, interviewing, visits to practitioners, literature survey and individual study. It is also possible to participate in ongoing research projects in the UU’s Media and Performance department or at affiliated academic institutions. Please note we do not encourage work in the field of production, PR or marketing. Please visit this webpage before starting your internship: students.uu.nl/en/hum/contemporary-theatre-dance-and-dramaturgy/study- programme/internships. It will offer you all information about the official procedures you need and also includes all forms mentioned below.

Research component An MA Internship consists of both a practical and an academically oriented research component in which you employ research and/or reflexive skills. Examples of such research components are conducting a literature survey on a particular discourse related to practice-based or research projects; writing an advisory report; developing and presenting a dramaturgical or curatorial concept; making an in-depth dramaturgical analysis; carrying out research as part of organising seminars or a conference. In case of a work placement, ideally, your research benefits both the internship organisation and your thesis. If a specific research task is not included in the job description, it still may be possible to include such a component. This is something you can discuss with both your supervisor and the internship provider. It is also possible to construct a research component that is complementary to your work placement tasks. When following a practical

18 research project, the research component is precisely the trigger of your internship. The investigation of a particular phenomenon or problem in the field will lead you to undertake several practical and research tasks during the internship.

Supervision The supervisor appointed to you will also supervise your internship. In your first semester you will meet your supervisor two times to discuss your internship plans. During these meetings you will also discuss your first ideas for your thesis (see also 5.3). Your supervisor needs to formally approve of your internship placement as described in your Internship Work Plan (see Work Plan) before you can start your internship. Also you and the internship provider need to sign a contract prior to your internship (see Internship Agreement). If all the formal requirements have been met and the internship starts, your supervisor will contact your internship provider to introduce her or himself and to check if everything is clear on both sides. During your internship you will be in touch with your supervisor every two weeks via email to discuss the progress of your internship (see Internship Log) When you finish your internship, you, your supervisor and the internship provider will meet (in person or via Skype) to evaluate the internship based on an evaluation form filled out by the internship provider (see Internship Evaluation Form) and your Internship Report (see Internship Report). In the case of a practical research project - where you will not have a single internship provider - your internship supervisor will be one of the teachers in our programme. The scheme below indicates when and how you need to be in touch with your supervisor. Note that the meetings in block 1 of the first semester are the same meetings in which you discuss your thesis plans with your supervisor (see again 5.3). Don’t forget that you are supposed to take the initiative for these meetings. Make sure you schedule meetings well in time and inquire how you might best contact your supervisor (email, phone).

Period Activity

Prior to internship • First meeting with your supervisor: discuss your internship wishes (week 4 / 5, block 1) • Internship Lab I: Present preliminary internship ideas to your supervisor, based on a list of at least five possible internship places, including a short motivation (reflection week, block 1) • Contact possible internship organisations • Approval of internship organisation by supervisor • Write Work Plan • Discuss Work Plan • Approval of Work Plan by supervisor • Signing Work Plan Form • Signing Internship Agreement • Internship Lab II: meeting with alumni (reflection week, block 2)

During internship • Report via email about your internship • Keep an Internship Log

Upon completion • Send the Internship Evaluation Form to your internship supervisor internship • Ask your internship supervisor to send this form to your university supervisor • Write Internship Report and send it to both supervisors • Organise a meeting with your university supervisor and internship supervisor within two weeks after completion of your internship to evaluate your internship.

19 Planning We strongly suggest you first complete your thesis (in block 3) before doing the internship (in block 4), but when relevant internship options are available in block 3, this is open for discussion. Sometimes it might prove beneficial to organise the thesis and the internship as two interrelated parallel trajectories.

Time investment and EC You are required to spend a total of 420 hours (15 EC) on your internship. Note that it is also possible to do a 10 EC Internship and a 20 EC Thesis (not the other way around). 15 EC equals a time investment of 10,5 weeks working full time, which includes finding an internship position and the time needed for writing your internship report. Practically this means you are looking for an internship position that involves approximately 380 working hours of work. If necessary, you can ask your supervisor to help negotiate the issue of working hours with the internship provider.

Finding an internship When looking for an internship you might want to have a look at the following websites: • http://stage.wp.hum.uu.nl (faculty website) • http://stagebank.sites.uu.nl (university website) • www.theaterkrant.nl/theatervacatures (professional theatre platform website) • www.akt-online.nl/stages (website study association)

We also recommend to actively read our newsletter where we often communicate interesting internship possibilities, to consult your supervisor, and to check the websites of companies and organisations you are interested in. Internship positions are not always advertised through websites though, so you might need to contact the organisation directly via mail or telephone. When inquiring about internship possibilities remember to communicate professionally and respectfully. It is advisable to thoroughly investigate a prospective company before you approach them. That way you can prepare yourself for an effective presentation and demonstrate your genuine interest. To fully prepare yourself for your internship hunt, we advise you to attend the workshop How to perform as a professional in the reflection week at the end of the first semester (see 5.6) International students with an interest in theatre in particular are advised that within the Dutch theatre field not many internship positions are available that do not require fluency in Dutch. The academic staff will help you in finding a place by considering possible matches with their own professional network. It is the student’s responsibility though to actively engage in finding an internship place. Next, bear in mind that internships may also take the form of a practical research project instead of a work placement. And lastly, students are also encouraged to investigate internship possibilities abroad, for example in their home country, also because this may be relevant with an eye to future career options. In principle, the internship provider formulates tasks or assignments for you but you, of course, should also claim substantial input during this negotiation. Generally, internship providers really appreciate candidates that have a clear idea of what they would like to do and learn. Make sure that you discuss these matters before starting the internship and don’t be shy to express your interests and your own ideas.

Step by step On the university website you can find among many other useful tips a short step-by-step guide of the various phases of finding, doing and evaluating the internship. For this guide, do take a look at the internship page on the student’s website.

Work Plan Prior to the internship you design a Work Plan in which you define both the practical aspects of the internship, personal and academic learning objectives, and your research question. What are the (critical) questions that you ask yourself about the organisation / company, its aims and

20 achievements, the topics and issues it addresses through its work? How can you relate this to themes, topics and issues you have come across during your academic studies? The Work Plan (a text of approximately 2000 words) should contain the following elements: • a description and (short) analysis of the organisation in case of a work placement (what type of organisation; which goals / ambitions / vision / mission characterises this organisation; what role / position in the theatre / dance field; who are the key people involved?); a description of the particular field you wish to investigate • a concise description of your motivation, personal learning goals and professional questions you seek to engage with during the internship • in case of a work placement: a description of tasks and the expected position within this organisation (agreed upon both by you and the internship provider) • in case of a practical research project: a description of all the intended activities with a motivation e.g. explanation how/why this activity serves your main research question(s) • a detailed description of the research component: academic motivation, a main research question and related sub-questions, a short working bibliography and matters of methodology: what are you going to do to find answers to your questions? • a detailed and realistic time-schedule, including starting date, ending date, and amount of hours invested; contact information about the internship provider and the supervisor (name, email address and telephone number) • the time-schedule should also list the dates of the group tutorials in the second semester (see 5.5), as a way to explicitly point out to the internship provider that you will not be available for internship work on these particular dates.

Your supervisor will assess your work plan on its academic merit. If your supervisor has approved the Work Plan, you can fill out the form ‘Internship Work Plan Form’. This form needs to be signed both by you, your supervisor and in case of a work placement, your internship supervisor. You can find the forms on this website where you will find a step-by-step guide (step 3): https://students.uu.nl/en/hum/contemporary-theatre-dance-and-dramaturgy/study- programme/internships.

Internship agreement In addition to drafting an Internship Work Plan, you and the internship provider need to sign an Internship Agreement. This is necessary to legally validate your internship contract. A representative of the university will sign the document after you have handed it in at the Internship Office / Student’s Desk. You can find the Internship Agreement Forms on this website: https://students.uu.nl/en/hum/contemporary-theatre-dance-and-dramaturgy/study- programme/internships.

Internship registration You will be officially registered for the internship in Osiris once you have handed in the Work Plan, the signed Internship Work Plan Form, the original Internship Agreement and three copies of it at the Internship Office / Student’s Desk at Drift 10. Check step 5 in the step-by-step guide mentioned above.

Internship Log During the internship, you are requested to make notes about your activities and learning experiences, and collect these in an internship logbook. This will help you in maintaining a reflexive attitude during the internship (see below) and will prove invaluable for writing the internship report. In addition, you are requested to regularly report on your internship experiences. Write a short email to your supervisor, once every two weeks, in which you shortly describe your activities, learning experiences (what did you learn, but especially how did you learn that). You can use the internship log to this end as well.

21 Internship Report You will finalise your internship by writing an Internship Report (approximately 5000 words, appendices not included). Note that the report should meet the standards of any other academic paper, including a solid bibliography and demonstration of academic writing and thinking skills. The report is not meant to merely describe your internship, nor a personal log. Instead you should aim for thorough reflection and a compelling demonstration of your academic writing and thinking skills. Make sure that both your supervisor and your internship provider receive your report well ahead of the final evaluation meeting (see Internship Evaluation). In case of any sensitive information you can decide to send the internship provider a ‘censored’ version of your report. You must also submit a digital version of the report (without appendices) to the Internship Office via email at stage [email protected].

The report consists of the following elements: • Introduction (approx. 1000 words) o a clear and concise description of the internship organisation, the internship assignment and the process involved in the internship o short summary of your (possible) internship output o positioning the internship organisation within the current social and cultural context and relating it to the field of theatre and/or dance and relevant contemporary debates • Evaluation work experience (approx. 1000 words) o reflection on your experiences in relation to learning goals and your personal development as a theatre scholar o reflection on your experiences in relation to theatre, dance and/or performance studies at large o discussion of (new) questions that have come up during your internship

• Evaluation research (approx. 3000 words) o the introduction and contextualisation of your initial research questions o embedding questions in appropriate and relevant academic discourse and in contemporary debates in the theatre and dance field o detailed discussion and evaluation of the results of your research • Bibliography • Appendices o Internship products: the report ideally includes additional documents by which you can demonstrate (some) of your activities and learning experiences during the internship. Such documents are for instance reports on research that you produced for the internship provider; texts produced for either internal or external communication (before and after receiving feedback); notes that document a process; interviews o Log reports

In case you do a practical research project instead of a work placement, instead of a 1000 words Introduction, you write a 4000 words research report and a 1000 words evaluation of your personal experiences.

Internship Evaluation The internship ends with an evaluation meeting with you, your supervisor and your internship supervisor. At the end of the meeting your supervisors will ask you to leave for a moment so that they can discuss and decide on your grade. Before this meeting, you need to have completed your internship report and have sent it to your supervisor and internship supervisor. Remember that you are responsible for organising this meeting. If for any reason it is not possible for your supervisor and supervisor to meet in person, they may communicate through email, phone or Skype. Prior to this moment of evaluation your internship supervisor fills out the Intern Evaluation form and sends

22 it to your UU supervisor. Note that it is your responsibility to provide your internship provider with the necessary form at least two weeks upon completion of your internship. You can download the form in the step-by-step guide mentioned above (step 7). Note that sometimes, according to your personal situation, your teacher will deviate a bit from this procedure.

Procedures and Grading The supervisor grades the MA Internship based on the evaluation by the internship supervisor and the assessment of the Internship Report. The report will be assessed by academic criteria for term papers: • Relevance and quality of the research question • Appropriate theoretical framework and methodology • Quality of discussion of research results • Critical evaluation of research results • The paper demonstrates academic writing and thinking skills • Quotations, references, footnotes, and the bibliography comply with international conventions for referencing academic research.

Evaluation by the internship provider will also be taken into account. In case of a work placement the successful completion of your internship task in the eyes of the host organisation is a crucial criterion in this assessment. Check also the Assessment Form for the Internship Report to see in more detail which grading criteria are used! You can download the form via the step-by-step guide (step 7).

5.5 | Group tutorials The group tutorials serve to stimulate your reflection on internship activities, to follow your progress regarding the thesis, and to help to get a grip on academic writing processes. Helpful comments, tips, good and bad practices, problems and solutions will be exchanged in an open atmosphere. The majority of these group tutorials will be peer-to-peer coaching sessions. Since attending these sessions is mandatory, when organising your internship, make sure that you are able to be present. We will only make exceptions for students whose internships are abroad. The group tutorials are organised according to a specific format that needs to be followed precisely in order to get the most out of these meetings. More information about this format and instructions can be found in appendix 8.2.

Block Date

Block 3 Monday February 19th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

Block 3 Monday March 12th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

Block 3 Monday April 9th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

Block 4 Monday May 14th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

Block 4 Monday June 11th 2018, 9.00-12.00hrs

5.6 | Career orientation During your programme, you will improve your knowledge of and work on academic and professional skills. However, it is advisable to prepare yourself for your future career also in other, more practical and explicit ways, during this master’s year, by going through the following phases: reflecting on your motivation and work values, researching your opportunities on the job market, creating ties with potential employers and practicing skills as needed for job applications and job interviews. This way, you will establish yourself as a professional. The following outline shows the career orientation events per block. Some of these events are mandatory, and others are optional. Sometimes they are related to or part of specific courses, and

23 sometimes they are offered and organised at department or faculty level. Also some of these events are explicitly geared towards career development, while others help you to develop certain professional skills that are relevant on the job market.

Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4

Why Theatre?! Why Theatre?! Why Theatre?! In this Why Theatre?! In this (mandatory): in this (mandatory): in this lecture series, you meet lecture series, you meet lecture series, you meet lecture series, you meet practitioners, scholars and practitioners, scholars and practitioners, scholars and practitioners, scholars and professionals from the professionals from the professionals from the professionals from the field of performance and field of performance and field of performance and field of performance and develop an idea of the develop an idea of the develop an idea of the develop an idea of the kind of work that is out kind of work that is out kind of work that is out kind of work that is out there! there! there! there!

Mapping the Field: in Dramaturgical The peer-led Group Your internship will this course you attend Practices: both work Tutorials (mandatory) enable you to put your and engage in an groups train in block 3 and block 4 will skills and knowledge into international performance dramaturgical skills help to reflect on and practice and to actively festival, allowing you a through encounters with exchange your internship start building your better understanding of art practitioners. Related and research experiences network. Think about how the practice of festival to this, group 1 (Theatre) with your fellow students, you can stay in touch programming. focuses on researching including possible with the professionals you and actively contributing problems or challenges met during your to a creative process. you might have internship after you have Group 2 (Dance) encountered along the completed your job. develops dramaturgical way. skills through exploring different modes of writing.

Internship Lab I Preparing your Preparing for the Preparing for the (mandatory): in the Internship Lab II afterlife I: we invite you afterlife II: as a reflection week you (mandatory): in the to become member of our welcome change of participate in a workshop reflection week you will alumni LinkedIn group scenery from doing your that focuses on have a chance to meet (see 3.5). internship or writing your discovering your work with interesting alumni at thesis, find someone values and your an alumni event. You interesting in your professional interests (in will also meet your LinkedIn group and meet collaboration with Career supervisor to discuss your up for coffee to discuss Services). A selection of progress in finding an his or her job! interesting internships is internship. presented, and you will Alumni have a right to the meet with your Those who are interested services of Career supervisor. can sign up for a Services up to half a workshop ‘How to perform year after graduation. Career Services will as a professional’ Check out what they have inform you on their organized in collaboration to offer and don’t hesitate workshops for planning with Career Services. to make use of their your professional future, services! tips for finding and approaching internship providers.

24 5.7 | Policies and Procedures

Education and Examination regulations Every programme has its own Education and Examination Regulations (EER), in which the specific rules and regulations of that programme are described. There are also general Education and Examination Regulations that all Humanity programmes have to adhere to. Our EER can be found at students.uu.nl/en/hum/contemporary-theatre-dance-and-dramaturgy/practical- information/academic-policies-and-procedures/education-and-examination-regulations.

Fraud and plagiarism The most serious forms of deception that can impair integrity are fraud and plagiarism. Plagiarism is a form of fraud and is defined as the wrongful appropriation of another author’s work without proper citation. The text below provides further elaboration on what may be considered fraud or plagiarism, along with a number of concrete examples. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. If the university discovers a case of fraud or plagiarism, the study programme’s Examination Committee may implement sanctions on the offender. The most serious sanction is the Examination Committee’s submission of a request for expulsion to the Executive Board. Fraud may include: • copying answers from another person during an exam. The person providing the opportunity to copy is considered an accomplice to fraud. • being in possession of (i.e. having / carrying) tools and resources during examinations, such as pre-programmed calculators, mobile phones, smartwatch, smart glasses, books, course readers, notes, etc., consultation of which is not explicitly permitted • allowing others to complete all or part of an assignment, and passing it as your own work • acquisition of the questions or answers of an exam prior to the exam time • fabrication of survey or interview answers or research data

Plagiarism is the appropriation of another author’s works, thoughts, or ideas and the representation of such as one’s own work. Here are some examples of what may be considered plagiarism: • copying and pasting text from the Internet, other digital sources or printed materials, such as (digital) books, periodicals or encyclopaedias, without using quotation marks and referring to the source • using a translation of the texts listed above in one’s own work, without using quotation marks and referring to the source • paraphrasing from the texts listed above without a (clear) reference: paraphrasing must be marked as such (by explicitly linking the text to the original author, either in text or a footnote), ensuring that the impression is not created that the ideas expressed are those of the student • using another person’s visual, video, audio or test materials without reference and in so doing representing them as one’s own work • resubmission of the student’s own earlier work without source references, and allowing this to pass for work originally produced for the purpose of the course, unless this is expressly permitted in the course or by the lecturer • using other students’ work and representing it as one’s own work. If this occurs with the other student’s permission, then he/she may be considered an accomplice to the plagiarism • when one author of a joint paper commits plagiarism, then all authors involved in that work are accomplices to the plagiarism if they could have known or should have known that the other was committing plagiarism • submitting papers provided by a commercial institution, such as an internet site with summaries or papers, or which have been written by others, regardless of whether the text was provided in exchange for payment

25 For more information, see students.uu.nl/en/practical-information/policies-and-procedures/fraud- and-plagiarism.

Complaints If you feel you have not been treated properly by someone employed by Utrecht University, or if you disagree with a decision that affects you personally, you can respond in a number of ways. For more information, visit students.uu.nl/en/practical-information/policies-and- procedures/complaints-objections-and-appeals.

Appeals Every university has an Examination Appeals Board to which students can appeal. This Board is an independent appeals board, established in accordance with the Higher Education and Research Act (in Dutch: Wet op het Hoger Onderwijs en Wetenschappelijk onderzoek). It includes members and students from various faculties. You can appeal decisions relating to: • examination eligibility • negative binding recommendation concerning the continuation of studies • admission to a Master’s degree programme • admission to a degree programme for which selection criteria are applied • decisions made by Boards of Examiners and examiners.

For more information, visit students.uu.nl/en/practical-information/academic-policies-and- procedures/complaints-objections-and-appeals/examination-appeals-board.

5.8 | Course evaluations Good quality education is important to you and also to the Faculty of Humanities. Therefore, the teachers in each course will take a moment half-way the course module to jointly discuss the course proceedings so far. When you have questions regarding the lessons, or suggestions on how to improve certain ways of organising the course, please let us know. In order to guarantee the quality of education, the faculty and programme would like to know your opinion on the courses you have attended. At the end of each block, you will receive an invitation via email to fill in a questionnaire and to provide feedback for each course.

The digital evaluation system Caracal (caracal.science.uu.nl) is used for the course evaluations. You can log in to Caracal using your Solis-ID and password. You will then see the course evaluations that apply to you. By answering a couple of open and closed questions you evaluate the courses you have attended. All of the answers will be processed anonymously. After the deadline you will be able to see the results for evaluated courses in Caracal. All the answers to the open and closed questions are visible for students who attended the course and the lecturer(s) of the course. The lecturer(s) can also post a reaction to the course evaluation. Students who did not attend the course only see the answers to the closed questions and not the reaction of the lecturer(s). The Curriculum Committee will carefully review the results of the course evaluations and address potential problems or compliment good initiatives. They will publish their advice as a result of the course evaluations in Caracal for all students to see. This will occur twice each year, prior to the course registration period. It is therefore advisable to log in now and again to see if the Curriculum Committee has already posted their advice, or the lecturer has responded to your course evaluations.

26 6 | PRACTICAL INFORMATION

6.1 | Solis-ID Your Solis-ID is your username for most university services. Used in combination with your Solis- ID password, it gives you access to services such as OSIRIS and Blackboard. You should also sign in using your Solis-ID at the university computers. You will have been sent your Solis-ID and password in two separate emails when you enrolled at the university. Once you are no longer enrolled at Utrecht University you will be sent an email warning you that your Solis-ID and password are only valid for another 180 days. After this six-month period, you will no longer be able to use the IT services associated with your Solis-ID. Your email address will also be terminated. So it is important that you save and secure any files and emails that you want to keep before then. Do you want to back up your e-mails? You can easily do this by making a copy of the data from your account via Google TakeOut. In the Solis-ID password self-service (uu.nl/password) you can change your Solis-ID password yourself. Here you can also create a new password if you have forgotten your password or if you never received one.

6.2 | OSIRIS OSIRIS Student is the internet portal to the OSIRIS study information system. Here you can register for courses and review your results and course schedule. Access OSIRIS with your Solis-ID via www.uu.nl/osirisstudent.

6.3 | UU Gmail Every student has access to his or her own UU Gmail account. All vital communication, from the UU or your teachers, goes to this address. Moreover, it is possible to save, edit and share files in the Google Drive. You log in with your UU Gmail email address (which is [email protected]; so, for example, [email protected]) and your password (and be aware of the fact that your UU Gmail password is not by definition the same as your Solis-ID password). You can sign in via http://gmail.students.uu.nl.

6.4 | Blackboard All Utrecht University students and staff use the digital learning environment Blackboard. You can use the Blackboard Mobile Learn app to access Blackboard information on your mobile devices. This app is suitable for Android, Blackberry and iOS. In Blackboard, you will find a Quick Start Guide to help you get started.

6.5 | MyUU app and MyTimetable In the MyUU app for students you will find your grades from OSIRIS, your student card and your personal timetable. Download the app from the app stores of Android and Apple. Once installed you log in with your Solis-id and password. MyTimetable is the timetable website of Utrecht University. Log on using your Solis-ID and password. More information you can find on students.uu.nl/en/node/6/mytimetable.

6.6 | Wi-Fi A lot of universities around the world have a wireless network in most of its university buildings, named Eduroam. As an Utrecht University student, you can log in on all Eduroam networks using [email protected] and your Solis-ID password.

27 6.7 | Locations The buildings you will be visiting are mostly located at the Drift. The university owns almost all buildings in this street and most of your seminars and lectures will be held here. You can find the city centre’s University Library at Drift 27. To enter the other Drift buildings (Drift 21, Drift 23 and Drift 25) you need to enter via Drift 27. All teachers’ offices are located at Muntstraat 2A. You will also find here the office of the study advisor and several meeting rooms. There is also a nice canteen and an – almost always – quiet foyer (for studying, for example). In the past, Muntstraat 2A consisted of two buildings (which were called Muntstraat 2A and Kromme Nieuwegracht 20), but those buildings merged a couple of years ago. All offices with a ‘T’ in front of the room number are located in the Kromme Nieuwgracht side of the building. Other buildings you may be visiting (for lectures, for instance) you can find at http://students.uu.nl/en/practical-information/people-buildings-services.

6.8 | Library services Utrecht University has multiple libraries, but the most important ones are the one in the city centre and in the Utrecht Science Park (de Uithof). Both locations have a large collection of not only books but also manuscripts, journals, films and audio files. It is also possible to make use of the computers and printers and study in the designated study areas. You must have a library card to be able to borrow books. This card is available for free for UU students and can be created for you at the library desk. The standard loan period of books is 28 days, although you can borrow some books and journals for a shorter period. Using the website, you can extend your loan multiple times, unless someone else has reserved the book. You can borrow up to fifteen books at the same time. Should you need more books at once due to exceptional circumstances, permission may be granted to raise the amount of books you are allowed to borrow at the same time. You can find books and articles (partly available as electronic resources as well) via the catalogue: http://aleph.library.uu.nl/. Check the library website itself for opening hours, addresses and other useful information: www.uu.nl/en/university-library. When you make a reservation for a book (and if the book is available / not on loan at that time), the university library team will collect the book and place it on a bookshelf in a specific case, next to the library desk at the entrance of the library (afhaalkast). Books that are not stored in the depot are easily accessible, as they are on their shelves. You can find the shelf number and book number in the catalogue once you’ve found a title (check ‘availability’), or browse through the bookcases until you find what you are looking for. If you do not return your books in time, you will receive a reminder and a seven-days extension to return them. If the books are not returned by the end of the seventh day, you will be fined. The height of the fine will depend on the amount of books and the amount of days they are due. You can pay your fine at the desk or the designated pay machine. You will also be fined for damaged books, so make sure you look after them! Teachers can choose to reserve certain books and have them placed on a specific shelf for the duration of their course. These shelves are called collegeplanken and these books cannot be borrowed for the duration of the course. This way the literature is available to all students in a course, so make copies if necessary. The collegeplanken can be found in the city centre library (inquire at the library desk where to find them) and are labelled after the title of the course.

The library buildings are opened during the course of the blocks from Monday till Saturday from 8.00–22.30hrs and on Sunday from 10.00–22.30hrs. Opening hours may vary during the holidays. During the exam periods the library closes at 1.00hrs.

28 6.9 | Training academic skills

Skills Lab The Skills Lab is an accessible service desk where you can get a clear idea of what extracurricular courses, workshops, individual tutoring, electronic tools, etc. are available within this University. Much is available, but this wealth of resources can be hard to find and access for students with specific questions. We can show students where to go to improve any skill, be it writing, presenting, studying, or job-hunting. There is a physical desk at the second floor of the University Library Uithof. For more information, see students.uu.nl/en/student-life-and-career- orientation/workshops.

Languages Moreover, there are also language courses on offer by Babel. They offer Dutch and English courses and several foreign language courses in Dutch and/or the target language. For the language courses by Babel, visit www.babel.nl.

29 7 | GETTING AROUND

7.1 | Housing Finding an accommodation in Utrecht can be quite a challenge. Utrecht is one of the most popular university towns in the Netherlands, and the demand for student housing is very high. It is therefore absolutely necessary to start looking for accommodation as soon as possible (if you are not already). You may find accommodation via Dutch housing websites such as Kamernet (www.kamernet.nl) and SHH (www.sshxl.nl), which are both accessible in English as well as in Dutch. The latter reserves completely furnished rooms for international students (limited availability, so on first come, first serve basis!), so you might give that a shot if you are still looking for an accommodation. Searching for a room online may or may not prove successful for you, so it may be advisable to ask the International Office of the UU for help. In case of finding a vacancy: you are usually invited to a Present Yourself Night (hospiteeravond). You visit the floor or house in which a room will be vacated, in order to both view the room and meet your prospective co-tenants.

7.2 | Transportation Utrecht is an amazing city with old canals, a lot of sights and nice bars and restaurants. The old city centre can easily be crossed on foot, while the rest of Utrecht is best visited using a bike or the public transport. On the visitor website of Utrecht (www.visit-utrecht.com) you can find interesting historical locations, museums, festivals, shops and group activities in the city. You can also check Utrecht University’s introduction to Utrecht page, at www.uu.nl/en/education/welcome-to-utrecht. Getting around the city of Utrecht, with its cobweb of canals, streets and alleyways can be a bit tricky at first. You have to constantly bear in mind that in the centre not a single street is straight. In order to avoid getting lost, it can be useful to keep a map at hand, but do not worry; Utrecht is a small city, and you will be able to find your way around soon enough!

By foot Most distances within the city centre are small, thus nearly everything there can be reached by foot. Obviously this way of travelling offers the best views of the city’s historical buildings and canals.

Bike The bicycle is the quintessential means of transportation in the Netherlands. While offering great views of the city, going by bike is often the fastest way to get to where you want to go within the city centre. Therefore, you might consider buying a bicycle during your stay in Utrecht. If you do, please bear in mind the following: • Affordable second-hand bicycles can be purchased at bike shops. Note that bikes that are offered to you on the street are usually stolen property. Although attractively cheap, buying one can land you a stiff fine. • When buying a bike, make sure that it has working breaks. If you plan to use it at night, check that it has a working light as well. You can also buy separate lights at several stores. Although many of the locals bike around without a light, doing so can lead to you getting a fine. • Unfortunately, bike theft is a common occurrence in Utrecht. You should therefore always lock your bike to a fixed object (such as a lantern or a gate), preferably with more than one lock. • In case you are not an experienced cyclist, be careful. Always stay on the right side of the cyclist lane. Do not suddenly stop and if you do, make sure you step aside. In general, people cycle quite fast in the Netherlands, so either try to go along with the rest or make sure you are not hindering other cyclists. Finally, a bell is quintessential to friendly warn pedestrians or other cyclists you want to pass.

Public transport: OV-chipkaart The OV-chipkaart is the way to pay for the public transport system in the Netherlands. This card resembles a bank card and contains an invisible chip. The OV-chipkaart can be topped up with credit in euros with which you can travel anywhere within the Netherlands, or with a travel product such as a single or season ticket. Every time you enter a bus, tram, metro or train, you need to check in and when you leave check out at special gates. Don't forget to check out, as you will lose 10 euros from your card if you don’t. When you want to use travel products, you will need a personal OV-chipkaart. You can apply for a personal card at www.ov-chipkaart.nl/webwinkel/ aanvragen/aanvragenpkaart/kaartaanvragen. You can also buy an anonymous OV-chipkaart (which does not track your journeys) at the counters of public transport companies, vending machines and supermarkets. Costs for both cards are €7,50.

Bus Taking a bus is the perfect way to get around Utrecht fast and cheap, without getting tired. From the bus platforms below the train station buses depart regularly in all directions.

Train The train system in the Netherlands is mostly run by the NS (Nationale Spoorwegen, www.ns.nl/en). Utrecht is located in the middle of the Netherlands, which means trains depart from Utrecht Centraal Station to virtually everywhere. The train will take you to Amsterdam in less than 30 minutes, to Rotterdam in less than 40 minutes and to Antwerp (Belgium) in a little more than two hours. When visiting Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Leiden, you do not have to worry about the time, as night trains run between Utrecht and these cities all night long, every day of the week. In the weekends (Thursdays till Saturdays) night trains run between Utrecht and the southern part of the Netherlands (Tilburg, Eindhoven and Den Bosch) as well. If you plan on doing a lot of travelling by train, you might consider buying a discount pass. For €50 this pass gives you a 40% discount on all train tickets, and it allows you to take up to three people with you at the same reduced rate during off-peak hours. You can find more information on the already mentioned NS website.

Taxi Taking a cab in the city of Utrecht is expensive. However, if you want to take one, UTC (phone: +31302300400) has the best deal; they will take you anywhere in the city for less than €15, when you order a cab by phone.

7.3 | Culture

Venues and festivals for dance, theatre and performance During your studies, you will visit several theatres and festivals as part of your education. Here is an indicative list of festivals in Utrecht and other places in the Netherlands that can help you orientate yourself.

Utrecht • Theater Kikker, Utrecht (Ganzenmarkt 14, www.theaterkikker.nl) Black box theatre at the city centre, for experimental theatre, dance and performance, also a stage for local and international dance and theatre companies. • Stadsschouwburg Utrecht (Lucas Bolwerk 24, www.ssbu.nl) City theatre, established companies perform here. Last minute tickets for students are very cheap but cannot be reserved: Douwe Egbertszaal €9,50 / Blauwe Zaal €7. Make sure you get them thirty minutes before the show starts and remember to take your student card.

31 • Het Huis, Utrecht (Boorstraat 107, www.hethuisutrecht.nl) A cultural space that supports, produces and presents contemporary artists in theatre and dance. Performances, talks and most of the WhyTheatre?! sessions take place here. • SPRING Performing Arts Festival, Utrecht (www.springutrecht.nl) A yearly festival that programs exciting and ground breaking contemporary performances by (inter)national choreographers and theatre makers. As indicated by its name, it takes place in the spring. Don’t miss it! • Tweetakt Festival, Utrecht (www.tweetakt.nl) A yearly art festival for all ages in Utrecht with a programme of theatre, music and visual arts by (inter)national makers. It takes place in the spring.

Outside Utrecht (but often close) • City Theatres in Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Breda offer international performances, see ssba.nl; rotterdamseschouwburg.nl; chasse.nl • Veem House for Performance, Amsterdam (Van Diemenstraat 408-410, www.veem.house) An experimental artistic space for performance, dance and discourse. It produces and presents cross-disciplinary performances and organises lectures, talks and debates. • Frascati Theatre, Amsterdam (Nes 63, www.frascatitheater.nl) Theatre venue that presents a lot of (inter)national experimental work in theatre, dance and performance. Check their festivals Something Raw (autumn) and Breaking Walls (spring), and their LNP programme. • Brakke Grond Theatre, Amsterdam (Nes 45, www.brakkegrond.nl) Flemish Arts Centre, which offers the most significant contemporary art productions from Flanders, including visual art, literature, dance, theatre, music, performance, film and new media. • Oerol Festival, Terschelling (ww.oerol.nl/engels/what-is-oerol) Unique festival taking place on one of the Friesian islands, with theatre taking place on the beach, in sheds, in the woods (actually, practically everywhere); the venues are spread all over the islands, all visitors go by bike. • Over het IJ Festival, Amsterdam (www.overhetij.nl) Festival for site-specific performance (in July) in Amsterdam-Noord, including mini-performances in sea containers. • Holland Festival, Amsterdam (www.hollandfestival.nl) One of the leading international performing arts festival in the Netherlands, with a very broad scope of international performing arts. It takes place yearly in June. • Julidans Festival, Amsterdam (www.julidans.nl) International dance festival, that programs dance performances by (inter)national choreographers. As indicated by its name, it takes place yearly in July.

Cinemas, exhibitions, concert hall Below are listed some of the film houses and exhibition spaces in Utrecht. For up-to-date programs of cultural events in Utrecht, try to get a hold of an Uitloper (see also www.uitloper.nl). They are available for free in most bars and theatres in the city. • ‘t Hoogt, Utrecht (Hoogt 4, www.hoogt.nl) Located in the city centre, this film house screens a good collection of (European) art house cinema and documentaries. • Louis Hartlooper Complex, Utrecht (Tolsteegbrug 1, www.hartlooper.nl) This former police station screens art house, old movies and more popular quality films. • Springhaver, Utrecht (Springweg 50, www.springhaver.nl) Collaborates with Louis Hartlooper Complex and screens a great variety of art house films. • Casco, Utrecht (Lange Nieuwstraat 7, www.cascoprojects.org) Casco - Office for Art, Design and Theory is for artistic research and experiments, that are cross- disciplinary, open to collaboration, and process-driven. • BAK, Utrecht (Lange Nieuwstraat 4, www.bakonline.org) BAK (Briding Art and Knowledge) is a breeding ground for people who want to connect art and theorising practices. See their website for their exhibition programme.

32 • Centraal Museum (Agnietenstraat 1, www.centraalmuseum.nl) This is Utrecht biggest museum, full of (contemporary) art. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the Dick Bruna House, an exhibition about the author of Nijntje / Miffy! • TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht (Vredenburgkade 11, www.tivolivredenburg.nl) Just re-opened in their new venue and now has five concert halls, each designed by a different architect. With one of the best sound systems in the Netherlands they serve you pop, classic, jazz, symphony orchestra’s and much more. • EKKO, Utrecht (Bemuurde Weerd WZ 3, www.ekko.nl) With a large variety of (inter)national bands playing alternative / underground / indie rock / metal / punk, but also DJ nights with electronic, techno and house, EKKO serves everyone. • RASA, Utrecht (Pauwstraat 13a, www.rasa.nl) Concert hall for World Music. From Thursday-Sunday great concerts and not that expensive. RASA presents art and culture from all parts of the world on her stage. Every month there are changing expositions and you can join the regularly dancing courses and workshops.

Once per month ‘Cultural Sunday’ takes place in different cultural institutions in Utrecht. Check out the posters in town or www.culturelezondagen.nl. Also, throughout the year, a lot of interesting festivals and events take place in Utrecht. So, keep your eyes open to not miss out on those (e.g. Impact Festival, DIEP Festival, Midzomergrachtfestival, Nederlands Film Festival and many more).

7.4 | Public library and bookstores Besides the university libraries, Utrecht also has a public library at Oudegracht 167. For a small membership fee, you can borrow books, music and films from the library’s collection. Inside you will find a coffee shop that sells excellent cappuccinos and an Internet café. See also www.bibliotheekutrecht.nl. • Libris Bookstore, Utrecht (Stadhuisbrug 5, www.libris.nl/broese) This largest bookstore in Utrecht has a huge collection of literature in several languages. • Literaire Boekhandel, Utrecht (Lijnmarkt 17, www.literaireboekhandellijnmarkt.nl) This bookstore sells mostly literary works. Very nice atmosphere and they have a lot! • Savannah Bay, Utrecht (Telingstraat 13, www.savannahbay.nl) This cosy little bookstore is the place to be for books on critical theory and other humanities- related academic work.

7.5 | Pubs, food, drinks & nightlife Dining out in Utrecht out can be expensive. Here we have listed some of our more affordable favourites, but please do not let this stop you from trying out one of the many great places that are scattered all over the city centre. • ACU (Voorstraat 21) On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday night the kitchen serves from 18.00 – 21.00hrs tasteful vegan food for a good price. Make a reservation to be sure of a spot. • Bar Beton (Korte Jansstraat 17-19) A lot of good coffee and nice toasties. Depending on the barista you meet, you can have a nice talk as well. • Bigoli (Schoutenstraat 7) For your proper Italian sandwich. Try one of their many variations! • De Bakkerswinkel (Wittevrouwenstraat 2) Close to the library this place is perfect for grabbing a muffin during lunch break, or take your time to sit in one of the cosy spaces to enjoy a high-tea with friends. • KEEK (Twijnstraat 23) Abbreviation of Kunst En Eerlijke Koffie (art and honest coffee). Often packed, this lunchroom serves delicious organic food. • Da Portare Via (Twijnstraat 65) Small, cosy Italian with superb pizzas baked in their wood oven. Also take away.

33 • Kafe België (Oudegracht 196) Besides their impressive collections of beers, this bar serves great good for a good price. Make sure to be there before 19.00hrs if you want to try the daily specials! Good choice in vegetarian food. • Meneer Smakers (Nobelstraat 143) These hamburgers are in no way to be compared with those you find in the regular fast food restaurants. This is the proper stuff for a decent price. Try also the vegetarian options. • Springhaver (Springweg 50) Cosy café, lunch spot, restaurant and cinema in one. Since 1885. Order at the bar and then take a seat in the Art Nouveau / Tuschinski inspired interior. • Winkel van Sinkel-Nachtrestaurant (Oudegracht 158) If you want to eat late, this is the place to be. It is called the Nachtrestaurant (Night restaurant) and is located in the basement of the Winkel van Sinkel. Entrance at the canal or through the Grand Café. • El Greco (Ganzenmarkt 28) Greek snack bar, very popular amongst late night clubbers. Has great Pita Giros (for the carnivores amongst us), but also great Vegetarian Pita. • Kopi Susu (J.P. Coenstraat 69) Relaxed café in the heart of Lombok. Their opening hours are limited, so check before going there. Coffee or a biological juice with cake or a biological lunch: it’s all fantastic. • Mick O’Connells (Jansdam 3-17) The place to meet other international students. Here you can watch important rugby matches while enjoying a gigantic beer.

7.6 | Sport and recreation There are many possibilities in Utrecht to keep your body in shape and your mind relaxed. Many sports and wellness centres throughout Utrecht offer both the use of cardio and fitness equipment and group lessons, like Pilates, yoga, Zumba etc. Often there is a discount for students. Of course, you can always buy a pair of running shoes and challenge yourself to run through the many parks that are all around Utrecht.

• Parnassos Cultural Centre, Utrecht (Kruisstraat 201, parnassos.uu.nl) As a student this is the cheapest place to take courses and workshops in art, photography, dancing, music and theatre. You can join the film club for a small fee and Parnassos regularly produces and programs course productions. • Olympos Sport Centre, Utrecht (Uppsalalaan 3, www.olympos.nl) The centre provides sports facilities for all students and staff at Utrecht University.

7.7 | Student discounts Utrecht has a lot of movie theatres (for instance CityMovie, Rembrandt, CameraStudio etc.). On weekdays (on Fridays till 18.00hrs) they give a discount (mostly €2) on movie tickets when you have a student card. During the weekend and on holidays, regular prices have to be paid. Utrecht also has many different museums. As a student, you can check them out with student discount. For instance, the University museum (Lange Nieuwstraat 106) is free for students of Utrecht University. Other museums reduce admission for students, such as the Centraal Museum where students pay €5 instead of €11. When in doubt, remember the old saying: ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’. Always ask whether there is a student discount, because most (movie) theatres, museums and other organisations / events give discounts to students even when not advertising it.

34 8 | APPENDIX: GUIDELINES PEER-TO-PEER COACHING

In peer to peer coaching sessions, one or two issues / problems / texts-in-progress are discussed in such a way that it helps a student to gain insight into the issue at hand and to gather (and decide on) problem-solving strategies. By discussing such issues together, this also helps other students to reflect on their own process. Strict time keeping is here of the essence.

Guidelines peer to peer coaching, general outline • Appointing a moderator o Each session the group appoints one student as the moderator of that session o The role of moderator alternates • Collecting cases (10 min.) o Every group member briefly introduces a possible case o A good case for peer to peer coaching is a problem or a question encountered in the working process, related to either the thesis or the internship. Examples: ‘I am stuck in my research’; ‘How do I let my supervisor know that I want more responsibilities?’ etc. o No discussion, only listening • Selecting a case (15 min.). Criteria to select a case: o Urgency o Relevance for others o Fair distribution • Presenting the case (15 min.). The student whose case is to be discussed sketches the situation as precise and concise as possible (5 min.). Points to address: o What is the context; pre-history, who is involved? o What needs to be solved? What have you done so far? o What is the result you wish to achieve? • Round of questions for clarification / exploration (10 min.). Points of attention: o Members take turns, one question per turn o The student provides brief answers o When a group member is out of questions, ‘pass’ o Only open questions: why? when? where? who? what? o No interpretation! No judgement! No solutions, tips or advice! • Analysis: getting to the heart of the case (15 min.) o Every group member, except for the student whose case is discussed, jots down the most import ‘themes’ that play a role in this case (e.g. ‘power relations’, ‘role definition’, ‘insecurity’) o Exchange of themes (no solutions! no response from the student whose case is discussed!) o The moderator sums up the themes o The student chooses the theme that is most relevant to her / him o Check whether an extra set of open, non-judgemental questions is needed to gain sufficient insight into the chosen theme • Advice: what to do? (15 min.) o Everybody, except the student whose case is discussed, notes down some suggestions or tips (brief) (5 min.) o Exchange of advice / tips: members take a turn, identical advice is not repeated, just confirmed o The student takes some time to respond to the advice: which advice or suggestion appeals to her / him the most? • Reflection: (5 min) o Did the case bring forward general themes (recognition)? o Is the group satisfied with the session? Was the format properly employed? Improvements needed?

35 Discussing a text – related to MA Thesis Prior to the meeting • Selecting a text o If a group member wants to discuss some of her / his written work, s/he has to notify the group at least ten days before the meeting o If more than two members want to discuss their written work, the group decides which text to discuss, based on the following criteria: urgency, relevance for others, fair distribution of turns o The author distributes the text at least one week prior to the meeting. Not meeting the deadline means the text is not discussed (people do need time to read and prepare a response)! o The text cannot be longer than fifteen pages o The author prepares a clear question (only one!) with regard to the kind of feedback s/he would like to get (e.g. structure, theory, analysis, argumentation) and sends this question to the group, together with the text • Preparing a response at home o Each group member reads the text carefully with the feedback question in mind o Each group member formulates open questions: why? how? what? (with the feedback question in mind) o Each group member formulates her / his ‘top 1’ remark / observation with regard to the text (in relation to the feedback question) o Each member brings the text to the session During the meeting • Appointing a moderator o Each session, the group decides who the moderator is. The role of moderator alternates o The moderator repeats the feedback question at the start of the session o The moderator keeps track of time, and makes sure questions and answers are precise, concise and brief o The moderator makes sure everybody can contribute to the discussion • Asking questions (20 min.) o Each group member takes a turn in asking a brief question about the text (in the context of the feedback question) o Only one question each turn (don’t repeat remarks already made by others) o Only open questions: why? how? what? o The author answers the question immediately and briefly • Analysis (30 min.) o Each group member presents a remark on the text and explains why this is the most relevant issue to discuss, according to her or him (in the context of the feedback question) o The author selects two remarks that s/he would like to discuss further, and motivates this choice • Further discussion (20 min.) o Open discussion about these two topics (10 min. per topic) • Reflection (10 min.) o The author indicates her / his most relevant insights o Did any general themes arise from this session? o Is the group satisfied with the session?