diff --git a/Lib/test/test_curses.py b/Lib/test/test_curses.py
index ad10f620b36..bd7d4fca8be 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_curses.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_curses.py
@@ -2,21 +2,23 @@
 # Test script for the curses module
 #
 # This script doesn't actually display anything very coherent. but it
-# does call every method and function.
+# does call (nearly) every method and function.
 #
 # Functions not tested: {def,reset}_{shell,prog}_mode, getch(), getstr(),
 # init_color()
 # Only called, not tested: getmouse(), ungetmouse()
 #
 
-import sys, tempfile, os
+import os
+import sys
+import tempfile
+import unittest
+
+from test.support import requires, import_module, verbose
 
 # Optionally test curses module.  This currently requires that the
 # 'curses' resource be given on the regrtest command line using the -u
 # option.  If not available, nothing after this line will be executed.
-
-import unittest
-from test.support import requires, import_module
 import inspect
 requires('curses')
 
@@ -24,372 +26,350 @@ requires('curses')
 curses = import_module('curses')
 curses.panel = import_module('curses.panel')
 
+term = os.environ.get('TERM', 'unknown')
 
-# XXX: if newterm was supported we could use it instead of initscr and not exit
-term = os.environ.get('TERM')
-if not term or term == 'unknown':
-    raise unittest.SkipTest("$TERM=%r, calling initscr() may cause exit" % term)
+@unittest.skipUnless(sys.__stdout__.isatty(), 'sys.__stdout__ is not a tty')
+@unittest.skipIf(term == 'unknown',
+                 "$TERM=%r, calling initscr() may cause exit" % term)
+@unittest.skipIf(sys.platform == "cygwin",
+                 "cygwin's curses mostly just hangs")
+class TestCurses(unittest.TestCase):
+    @classmethod
+    def setUpClass(cls):
+        curses.setupterm(fd=sys.__stdout__.fileno())
 
-if sys.platform == "cygwin":
-    raise unittest.SkipTest("cygwin's curses mostly just hangs")
+    def setUp(self):
+        if verbose:
+            # just to make the test output a little more readable
+            print()
+        self.stdscr = curses.initscr()
+        curses.savetty()
 
-def window_funcs(stdscr):
-    "Test the methods of windows"
-    win = curses.newwin(10,10)
-    win = curses.newwin(5,5, 5,5)
-    win2 = curses.newwin(15,15, 5,5)
-
-    for meth in [stdscr.addch, stdscr.addstr]:
-        for args in [('a'), ('a', curses.A_BOLD),
-                     (4,4, 'a'), (5,5, 'a', curses.A_BOLD)]:
-            meth(*args)
-
-    for meth in [stdscr.box, stdscr.clear, stdscr.clrtobot,
-                 stdscr.clrtoeol, stdscr.cursyncup, stdscr.delch,
-                 stdscr.deleteln, stdscr.erase, stdscr.getbegyx,
-                 stdscr.getbkgd, stdscr.getkey, stdscr.getmaxyx,
-                 stdscr.getparyx, stdscr.getyx, stdscr.inch,
-                 stdscr.insertln, stdscr.instr, stdscr.is_wintouched,
-                 win.noutrefresh, stdscr.redrawwin, stdscr.refresh,
-                 stdscr.standout, stdscr.standend, stdscr.syncdown,
-                 stdscr.syncup, stdscr.touchwin, stdscr.untouchwin]:
-        meth()
-
-    stdscr.addnstr('1234', 3)
-    stdscr.addnstr('1234', 3, curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.addnstr(4,4, '1234', 3)
-    stdscr.addnstr(5,5, '1234', 3, curses.A_BOLD)
-
-    stdscr.attron(curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.attroff(curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.attrset(curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.bkgd(' ')
-    stdscr.bkgd(' ', curses.A_REVERSE)
-    stdscr.bkgdset(' ')
-    stdscr.bkgdset(' ', curses.A_REVERSE)
-
-    win.border(65, 66, 67, 68,
-               69, 70, 71, 72)
-    win.border('|', '!', '-', '_',
-               '+', '\\', '#', '/')
-    try:
-        win.border(65, 66, 67, 68,
-                   69, [], 71, 72)
-    except TypeError:
-        pass
-    else:
-        raise RuntimeError("Expected win.border() to raise TypeError")
-
-    stdscr.clearok(1)
-
-    win4 = stdscr.derwin(2,2)
-    win4 = stdscr.derwin(1,1, 5,5)
-    win4.mvderwin(9,9)
-
-    stdscr.echochar('a')
-    stdscr.echochar('a', curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.hline('-', 5)
-    stdscr.hline('-', 5, curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.hline(1,1,'-', 5)
-    stdscr.hline(1,1,'-', 5, curses.A_BOLD)
-
-    stdscr.idcok(1)
-    stdscr.idlok(1)
-    stdscr.immedok(1)
-    stdscr.insch('c')
-    stdscr.insdelln(1)
-    stdscr.insnstr('abc', 3)
-    stdscr.insnstr('abc', 3, curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.insnstr(5, 5, 'abc', 3)
-    stdscr.insnstr(5, 5, 'abc', 3, curses.A_BOLD)
-
-    stdscr.insstr('def')
-    stdscr.insstr('def', curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.insstr(5, 5, 'def')
-    stdscr.insstr(5, 5, 'def', curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.is_linetouched(0)
-    stdscr.keypad(1)
-    stdscr.leaveok(1)
-    stdscr.move(3,3)
-    win.mvwin(2,2)
-    stdscr.nodelay(1)
-    stdscr.notimeout(1)
-    win2.overlay(win)
-    win2.overwrite(win)
-    win2.overlay(win, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 3)
-    win2.overwrite(win, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 3)
-    stdscr.redrawln(1,2)
-
-    stdscr.scrollok(1)
-    stdscr.scroll()
-    stdscr.scroll(2)
-    stdscr.scroll(-3)
-
-    stdscr.move(12, 2)
-    stdscr.setscrreg(10,15)
-    win3 = stdscr.subwin(10,10)
-    win3 = stdscr.subwin(10,10, 5,5)
-    stdscr.syncok(1)
-    stdscr.timeout(5)
-    stdscr.touchline(5,5)
-    stdscr.touchline(5,5,0)
-    stdscr.vline('a', 3)
-    stdscr.vline('a', 3, curses.A_STANDOUT)
-    stdscr.chgat(5, 2, 3, curses.A_BLINK)
-    stdscr.chgat(3, curses.A_BOLD)
-    stdscr.chgat(5, 8, curses.A_UNDERLINE)
-    stdscr.chgat(curses.A_BLINK)
-    stdscr.refresh()
-
-    stdscr.vline(1,1, 'a', 3)
-    stdscr.vline(1,1, 'a', 3, curses.A_STANDOUT)
-
-    if hasattr(curses, 'resize'):
-        stdscr.resize()
-    if hasattr(curses, 'enclose'):
-        stdscr.enclose()
-
-
-def module_funcs(stdscr):
-    "Test module-level functions"
-
-    for func in [curses.baudrate, curses.beep, curses.can_change_color,
-                 curses.cbreak, curses.def_prog_mode, curses.doupdate,
-                 curses.filter, curses.flash, curses.flushinp,
-                 curses.has_colors, curses.has_ic, curses.has_il,
-                 curses.isendwin, curses.killchar, curses.longname,
-                 curses.nocbreak, curses.noecho, curses.nonl,
-                 curses.noqiflush, curses.noraw,
-                 curses.reset_prog_mode, curses.termattrs,
-                 curses.termname, curses.erasechar, curses.getsyx]:
-        func()
-
-    # Functions that actually need arguments
-    if curses.tigetstr("cnorm"):
-        curses.curs_set(1)
-    curses.delay_output(1)
-    curses.echo() ; curses.echo(1)
-
-    f = tempfile.TemporaryFile()
-    stdscr.putwin(f)
-    f.seek(0)
-    curses.getwin(f)
-    f.close()
-
-    curses.halfdelay(1)
-    curses.intrflush(1)
-    curses.meta(1)
-    curses.napms(100)
-    curses.newpad(50,50)
-    win = curses.newwin(5,5)
-    win = curses.newwin(5,5, 1,1)
-    curses.nl() ; curses.nl(1)
-    curses.putp(b'abc')
-    curses.qiflush()
-    curses.raw() ; curses.raw(1)
-    curses.setsyx(5,5)
-    curses.tigetflag('hc')
-    curses.tigetnum('co')
-    curses.tigetstr('cr')
-    curses.tparm(b'cr')
-    curses.typeahead(sys.__stdin__.fileno())
-    curses.unctrl('a')
-    curses.ungetch('a')
-    curses.use_env(1)
-
-    # Functions only available on a few platforms
-    if curses.has_colors():
-        curses.start_color()
-        curses.init_pair(2, 1,1)
-        curses.color_content(1)
-        curses.color_pair(2)
-        curses.pair_content(curses.COLOR_PAIRS - 1)
-        curses.pair_number(0)
-
-        if hasattr(curses, 'use_default_colors'):
-            curses.use_default_colors()
-
-    if hasattr(curses, 'keyname'):
-        curses.keyname(13)
-
-    if hasattr(curses, 'has_key'):
-        curses.has_key(13)
-
-    if hasattr(curses, 'getmouse'):
-        (availmask, oldmask) = curses.mousemask(curses.BUTTON1_PRESSED)
-        # availmask indicates that mouse stuff not available.
-        if availmask != 0:
-            curses.mouseinterval(10)
-            # just verify these don't cause errors
-            curses.ungetmouse(0, 0, 0, 0, curses.BUTTON1_PRESSED)
-            m = curses.getmouse()
-
-    if hasattr(curses, 'is_term_resized'):
-        curses.is_term_resized(*stdscr.getmaxyx())
-    if hasattr(curses, 'resizeterm'):
-        curses.resizeterm(*stdscr.getmaxyx())
-    if hasattr(curses, 'resize_term'):
-        curses.resize_term(*stdscr.getmaxyx())
-
-def unit_tests():
-    from curses import ascii
-    for ch, expected in [('a', 'a'), ('A', 'A'),
-                         (';', ';'), (' ', ' '),
-                         ('\x7f', '^?'), ('\n', '^J'), ('\0', '^@'),
-                         # Meta-bit characters
-                         ('\x8a', '!^J'), ('\xc1', '!A'),
-                         ]:
-        if ascii.unctrl(ch) != expected:
-            print('curses.unctrl fails on character', repr(ch))
-
-
-def test_userptr_without_set(stdscr):
-    w = curses.newwin(10, 10)
-    p = curses.panel.new_panel(w)
-    # try to access userptr() before calling set_userptr() -- segfaults
-    try:
-        p.userptr()
-        raise RuntimeError('userptr should fail since not set')
-    except curses.panel.error:
-        pass
-
-def test_userptr_memory_leak(stdscr):
-    w = curses.newwin(10, 10)
-    p = curses.panel.new_panel(w)
-    obj = object()
-    nrefs = sys.getrefcount(obj)
-    for i in range(100):
-        p.set_userptr(obj)
-
-    p.set_userptr(None)
-    if sys.getrefcount(obj) != nrefs:
-        raise RuntimeError("set_userptr leaked references")
-
-def test_userptr_segfault(stdscr):
-    panel = curses.panel.new_panel(stdscr)
-    class A:
-        def __del__(self):
-            panel.set_userptr(None)
-    panel.set_userptr(A())
-    panel.set_userptr(None)
-
-def test_resize_term(stdscr):
-    if hasattr(curses, 'resizeterm'):
-        lines, cols = curses.LINES, curses.COLS
-        curses.resizeterm(lines - 1, cols + 1)
-
-        if curses.LINES != lines - 1 or curses.COLS != cols + 1:
-            raise RuntimeError("Expected resizeterm to update LINES and COLS")
-
-def test_issue6243(stdscr):
-    curses.ungetch(1025)
-    stdscr.getkey()
-
-def test_unget_wch(stdscr):
-    if not hasattr(curses, 'unget_wch'):
-        return
-    encoding = stdscr.encoding
-    for ch in ('a', '\xe9', '\u20ac', '\U0010FFFF'):
-        try:
-            ch.encode(encoding)
-        except UnicodeEncodeError:
-            continue
-        try:
-            curses.unget_wch(ch)
-        except Exception as err:
-            raise Exception("unget_wch(%a) failed with encoding %s: %s"
-                            % (ch, stdscr.encoding, err))
-        read = stdscr.get_wch()
-        if read != ch:
-            raise AssertionError("%r != %r" % (read, ch))
-
-        code = ord(ch)
-        curses.unget_wch(code)
-        read = stdscr.get_wch()
-        if read != ch:
-            raise AssertionError("%r != %r" % (read, ch))
-
-def test_issue10570():
-    b = curses.tparm(curses.tigetstr("cup"), 5, 3)
-    assert type(b) is bytes
-    curses.putp(b)
-
-def test_encoding(stdscr):
-    import codecs
-    encoding = stdscr.encoding
-    codecs.lookup(encoding)
-    try:
-        stdscr.encoding = 10
-    except TypeError:
-        pass
-    else:
-        raise AssertionError("TypeError not raised")
-    stdscr.encoding = encoding
-    try:
-        del stdscr.encoding
-    except TypeError:
-        pass
-    else:
-        raise AssertionError("TypeError not raised")
-
-def test_issue21088(stdscr):
-    #
-    # http://bugs.python.org/issue21088
-    #
-    # the bug:
-    # when converting curses.window.addch to Argument Clinic
-    # the first two parameters were switched.
-
-    # if someday we can represent the signature of addch
-    # we will need to rewrite this test.
-    try:
-        signature = inspect.signature(stdscr.addch)
-        self.assertFalse(signature)
-    except ValueError:
-        # not generating a signature is fine.
-        pass
-
-    # So.  No signature for addch.
-    # But Argument Clinic gave us a human-readable equivalent
-    # as the first line of the docstring.  So we parse that,
-    # and ensure that the parameters appear in the correct order.
-    # Since this is parsing output from Argument Clinic, we can
-    # be reasonably certain the generated parsing code will be
-    # correct too.
-    human_readable_signature = stdscr.addch.__doc__.split("\n")[0]
-    offset = human_readable_signature.find("[y, x,]")
-    assert offset >= 0, ""
-
-def main(stdscr):
-    curses.savetty()
-    try:
-        module_funcs(stdscr)
-        window_funcs(stdscr)
-        test_userptr_without_set(stdscr)
-        test_userptr_memory_leak(stdscr)
-        test_userptr_segfault(stdscr)
-        test_resize_term(stdscr)
-        test_issue6243(stdscr)
-        test_unget_wch(stdscr)
-        test_issue10570()
-        test_encoding(stdscr)
-        test_issue21088(stdscr)
-    finally:
+    def tearDown(self):
         curses.resetty()
-
-def test_main():
-    if not sys.__stdout__.isatty():
-        raise unittest.SkipTest("sys.__stdout__ is not a tty")
-    # testing setupterm() inside initscr/endwin
-    # causes terminal breakage
-    curses.setupterm(fd=sys.__stdout__.fileno())
-    try:
-        stdscr = curses.initscr()
-        main(stdscr)
-    finally:
         curses.endwin()
-    unit_tests()
+
+    def test_window_funcs(self):
+        "Test the methods of windows"
+        stdscr = self.stdscr
+        win = curses.newwin(10,10)
+        win = curses.newwin(5,5, 5,5)
+        win2 = curses.newwin(15,15, 5,5)
+
+        for meth in [stdscr.addch, stdscr.addstr]:
+            for args in [('a'), ('a', curses.A_BOLD),
+                         (4,4, 'a'), (5,5, 'a', curses.A_BOLD)]:
+                meth(*args)
+
+        for meth in [stdscr.box, stdscr.clear, stdscr.clrtobot,
+                     stdscr.clrtoeol, stdscr.cursyncup, stdscr.delch,
+                     stdscr.deleteln, stdscr.erase, stdscr.getbegyx,
+                     stdscr.getbkgd, stdscr.getkey, stdscr.getmaxyx,
+                     stdscr.getparyx, stdscr.getyx, stdscr.inch,
+                     stdscr.insertln, stdscr.instr, stdscr.is_wintouched,
+                     win.noutrefresh, stdscr.redrawwin, stdscr.refresh,
+                     stdscr.standout, stdscr.standend, stdscr.syncdown,
+                     stdscr.syncup, stdscr.touchwin, stdscr.untouchwin]:
+            meth()
+
+        stdscr.addnstr('1234', 3)
+        stdscr.addnstr('1234', 3, curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.addnstr(4,4, '1234', 3)
+        stdscr.addnstr(5,5, '1234', 3, curses.A_BOLD)
+
+        stdscr.attron(curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.attroff(curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.attrset(curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.bkgd(' ')
+        stdscr.bkgd(' ', curses.A_REVERSE)
+        stdscr.bkgdset(' ')
+        stdscr.bkgdset(' ', curses.A_REVERSE)
+
+        win.border(65, 66, 67, 68,
+                   69, 70, 71, 72)
+        win.border('|', '!', '-', '_',
+                   '+', '\\', '#', '/')
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError,
+                               msg="Expected win.border() to raise TypeError"):
+            win.border(65, 66, 67, 68,
+                       69, [], 71, 72)
+
+        stdscr.clearok(1)
+
+        win4 = stdscr.derwin(2,2)
+        win4 = stdscr.derwin(1,1, 5,5)
+        win4.mvderwin(9,9)
+
+        stdscr.echochar('a')
+        stdscr.echochar('a', curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.hline('-', 5)
+        stdscr.hline('-', 5, curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.hline(1,1,'-', 5)
+        stdscr.hline(1,1,'-', 5, curses.A_BOLD)
+
+        stdscr.idcok(1)
+        stdscr.idlok(1)
+        stdscr.immedok(1)
+        stdscr.insch('c')
+        stdscr.insdelln(1)
+        stdscr.insnstr('abc', 3)
+        stdscr.insnstr('abc', 3, curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.insnstr(5, 5, 'abc', 3)
+        stdscr.insnstr(5, 5, 'abc', 3, curses.A_BOLD)
+
+        stdscr.insstr('def')
+        stdscr.insstr('def', curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.insstr(5, 5, 'def')
+        stdscr.insstr(5, 5, 'def', curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.is_linetouched(0)
+        stdscr.keypad(1)
+        stdscr.leaveok(1)
+        stdscr.move(3,3)
+        win.mvwin(2,2)
+        stdscr.nodelay(1)
+        stdscr.notimeout(1)
+        win2.overlay(win)
+        win2.overwrite(win)
+        win2.overlay(win, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 3)
+        win2.overwrite(win, 1, 2, 2, 1, 3, 3)
+        stdscr.redrawln(1,2)
+
+        stdscr.scrollok(1)
+        stdscr.scroll()
+        stdscr.scroll(2)
+        stdscr.scroll(-3)
+
+        stdscr.move(12, 2)
+        stdscr.setscrreg(10,15)
+        win3 = stdscr.subwin(10,10)
+        win3 = stdscr.subwin(10,10, 5,5)
+        stdscr.syncok(1)
+        stdscr.timeout(5)
+        stdscr.touchline(5,5)
+        stdscr.touchline(5,5,0)
+        stdscr.vline('a', 3)
+        stdscr.vline('a', 3, curses.A_STANDOUT)
+        stdscr.chgat(5, 2, 3, curses.A_BLINK)
+        stdscr.chgat(3, curses.A_BOLD)
+        stdscr.chgat(5, 8, curses.A_UNDERLINE)
+        stdscr.chgat(curses.A_BLINK)
+        stdscr.refresh()
+
+        stdscr.vline(1,1, 'a', 3)
+        stdscr.vline(1,1, 'a', 3, curses.A_STANDOUT)
+
+        if hasattr(curses, 'resize'):
+            stdscr.resize()
+        if hasattr(curses, 'enclose'):
+            stdscr.enclose()
+
+
+    def test_module_funcs(self):
+        "Test module-level functions"
+        stdscr = self.stdscr
+        for func in [curses.baudrate, curses.beep, curses.can_change_color,
+                     curses.cbreak, curses.def_prog_mode, curses.doupdate,
+                     curses.filter, curses.flash, curses.flushinp,
+                     curses.has_colors, curses.has_ic, curses.has_il,
+                     curses.isendwin, curses.killchar, curses.longname,
+                     curses.nocbreak, curses.noecho, curses.nonl,
+                     curses.noqiflush, curses.noraw,
+                     curses.reset_prog_mode, curses.termattrs,
+                     curses.termname, curses.erasechar, curses.getsyx]:
+            func()
+
+        # Functions that actually need arguments
+        if curses.tigetstr("cnorm"):
+            curses.curs_set(1)
+        curses.delay_output(1)
+        curses.echo() ; curses.echo(1)
+
+        f = tempfile.TemporaryFile()
+        stdscr.putwin(f)
+        f.seek(0)
+        curses.getwin(f)
+        f.close()
+
+        curses.halfdelay(1)
+        curses.intrflush(1)
+        curses.meta(1)
+        curses.napms(100)
+        curses.newpad(50,50)
+        win = curses.newwin(5,5)
+        win = curses.newwin(5,5, 1,1)
+        curses.nl() ; curses.nl(1)
+        curses.putp(b'abc')
+        curses.qiflush()
+        curses.raw() ; curses.raw(1)
+        curses.setsyx(5,5)
+        curses.tigetflag('hc')
+        curses.tigetnum('co')
+        curses.tigetstr('cr')
+        curses.tparm(b'cr')
+        curses.typeahead(sys.__stdin__.fileno())
+        curses.unctrl('a')
+        curses.ungetch('a')
+        curses.use_env(1)
+
+        # Functions only available on a few platforms
+        if curses.has_colors():
+            curses.start_color()
+            curses.init_pair(2, 1,1)
+            curses.color_content(1)
+            curses.color_pair(2)
+            curses.pair_content(curses.COLOR_PAIRS - 1)
+            curses.pair_number(0)
+
+            if hasattr(curses, 'use_default_colors'):
+                curses.use_default_colors()
+
+        if hasattr(curses, 'keyname'):
+            curses.keyname(13)
+
+        if hasattr(curses, 'has_key'):
+            curses.has_key(13)
+
+        if hasattr(curses, 'getmouse'):
+            (availmask, oldmask) = curses.mousemask(curses.BUTTON1_PRESSED)
+            # availmask indicates that mouse stuff not available.
+            if availmask != 0:
+                curses.mouseinterval(10)
+                # just verify these don't cause errors
+                curses.ungetmouse(0, 0, 0, 0, curses.BUTTON1_PRESSED)
+                m = curses.getmouse()
+
+        if hasattr(curses, 'is_term_resized'):
+            curses.is_term_resized(*stdscr.getmaxyx())
+        if hasattr(curses, 'resizeterm'):
+            curses.resizeterm(*stdscr.getmaxyx())
+        if hasattr(curses, 'resize_term'):
+            curses.resize_term(*stdscr.getmaxyx())
+
+    def test_unctrl(self):
+        from curses import ascii
+        for ch, expected in [('a', 'a'), ('A', 'A'),
+                             (';', ';'), (' ', ' '),
+                             ('\x7f', '^?'), ('\n', '^J'), ('\0', '^@'),
+                             # Meta-bit characters
+                             ('\x8a', '!^J'), ('\xc1', '!A'),
+                             ]:
+            self.assertEqual(ascii.unctrl(ch), expected,
+                             'curses.unctrl fails on character %r' % ch)
+
+
+    def test_userptr_without_set(self):
+        w = curses.newwin(10, 10)
+        p = curses.panel.new_panel(w)
+        # try to access userptr() before calling set_userptr() -- segfaults
+        with self.assertRaises(curses.panel.error,
+                               msg='userptr should fail since not set'):
+            p.userptr()
+
+    def test_userptr_memory_leak(self):
+        w = curses.newwin(10, 10)
+        p = curses.panel.new_panel(w)
+        obj = object()
+        nrefs = sys.getrefcount(obj)
+        for i in range(100):
+            p.set_userptr(obj)
+
+        p.set_userptr(None)
+        self.assertEqual(sys.getrefcount(obj), nrefs,
+                         "set_userptr leaked references")
+
+    def test_userptr_segfault(self):
+        panel = curses.panel.new_panel(self.stdscr)
+        class A:
+            def __del__(self):
+                panel.set_userptr(None)
+        panel.set_userptr(A())
+        panel.set_userptr(None)
+
+    @unittest.skipUnless(hasattr(curses, 'resizeterm'),
+                           'resizeterm not available')
+    def test_resize_term(self):
+        lines, cols = curses.LINES, curses.COLS
+        new_lines = lines - 1
+        new_cols = cols + 1
+        curses.resizeterm(new_lines, new_cols)
+
+        self.assertEqual(curses.LINES, new_lines)
+        self.assertEqual(curses.COLS, new_cols)
+
+    def test_issue6243(self):
+        curses.ungetch(1025)
+        self.stdscr.getkey()
+
+    @unittest.skipUnless(hasattr(curses, 'unget_wch'),
+                         'unget_wch not available')
+    def test_unget_wch(self):
+        stdscr = self.stdscr
+        encoding = stdscr.encoding
+        for ch in ('a', '\xe9', '\u20ac', '\U0010FFFF'):
+            try:
+                ch.encode(encoding)
+            except UnicodeEncodeError:
+                continue
+            try:
+                curses.unget_wch(ch)
+            except Exception as err:
+                self.fail("unget_wch(%a) failed with encoding %s: %s"
+                          % (ch, stdscr.encoding, err))
+            read = stdscr.get_wch()
+            self.assertEqual(read, ch)
+
+            code = ord(ch)
+            curses.unget_wch(code)
+            read = stdscr.get_wch()
+            self.assertEqual(read, ch)
+
+    def test_issue10570(self):
+        b = curses.tparm(curses.tigetstr("cup"), 5, 3)
+        self.assertIs(type(b), bytes)
+        curses.putp(b)
+
+    def test_encoding(self):
+        stdscr = self.stdscr
+        import codecs
+        encoding = stdscr.encoding
+        codecs.lookup(encoding)
+
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+            stdscr.encoding = 10
+
+        stdscr.encoding = encoding
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+            del stdscr.encoding
+
+    def test_issue21088(self):
+        stdscr = self.stdscr
+        #
+        # http://bugs.python.org/issue21088
+        #
+        # the bug:
+        # when converting curses.window.addch to Argument Clinic
+        # the first two parameters were switched.
+
+        # if someday we can represent the signature of addch
+        # we will need to rewrite this test.
+        try:
+            signature = inspect.signature(stdscr.addch)
+            self.assertFalse(signature)
+        except ValueError:
+            # not generating a signature is fine.
+            pass
+
+        # So.  No signature for addch.
+        # But Argument Clinic gave us a human-readable equivalent
+        # as the first line of the docstring.  So we parse that,
+        # and ensure that the parameters appear in the correct order.
+        # Since this is parsing output from Argument Clinic, we can
+        # be reasonably certain the generated parsing code will be
+        # correct too.
+        human_readable_signature = stdscr.addch.__doc__.split("\n")[0]
+        offset = human_readable_signature.find("[y, x,]")
+        assert offset >= 0, ""
+
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
-    curses.wrapper(main)
-    unit_tests()
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index d5704308b17..f7de6d05e03 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -1087,6 +1087,8 @@ IDLE
 Tests
 -----
 
+- Issue #16000: Convert test_curses to use unittest.
+
 - Issue #21456: Skip two tests in test_urllib2net.py if _ssl module not
   present. Patch by Remi Pointel.