Foundation courses Required for all majors
Annie York and Kimberley Schumann in BE AGGRESSIVE
Foundation courses are designed to provide a basic grounding in the various disciplines of the full theatre instrument and the heritage, process and practice of creating theatrical productions.
THSP 151-Play Analysis (3)
Study of the nature of drama and theatre in its historical context with emphasis upon analysis of play scripts as basis for the creation of theatrical images.
Offered every fall.
Typically taken by majors in their first semester in the program. Offered every fall.
THSP 141-Theatre Practice and Theory (3)
Introduction to production organization. Survey and application of technologies, materials, and techniques of theatrical production.
Offered every fall.
Typically taken by majors in their 1st semester in the program. Offered every fall.
THSP 143-Basic Design in the Theatre (3)
Introduction to the principles and practices of designing theatrical environments and costumes for plays. Provides study and practice in analysis of various styles and types of plays; basic visual and spatial principles; developing theatrical imagery; and communication design ideas.
Offered every spring.
Typically taken by majors in their 2nd semester in the program.
THSP 221-Acting I (3)
Fundamentals of acting and speech for the theatre.
Prerequisite: THSP 151 and/or approval of the instructor. Co-requisite THSP 200.
Offered every fall.
Typically taken by majors in their 3rd semester in the program.
THSP 255-The Theatre to the Renaissance (3)
History of the theatre as an art and as an institution from its beginnings to the 17th century.
Prerequisite: THSP 151 or approval of the instructor.
Offered every fall.
Typically taken by the major in their 3rd semester in the program.
THSP 257-The History of the Theatre from the Renaissance to the 20th Century (3)
History of the theatre as an art and institution from the Renaissance to the 20th century.
Prerequisite: THSP 151 or approval of the instructor.
Offered every spring.
Typically taken by the major in their 4th semester in the program.
Performance & Production Core
The core is composed of studio and lab work to put into practice the knowledge and skills developed in other courses through production, rehearsal and performances for the University Theatre, workshops and demonstration-labs. A minimum of six semesters of our Performance and Production sequence (two semesters each of THSP 200, 300 and 400) are required for graduation.
THSP 200-Performance and Production (1)
Lower division laboratory course in all aspects of theatre performance and production. Project assignments in departmental productions and workshops. Graded by faculty jury. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: approval of the department head
Taken by majors during at least two semesters before admission into the upper division of the program. Offered every semester.
Typical assignments include production crews, casting pool for University Theatre and demonstration labs, workshop participation, assistant crew heads, assistant stage managers, etc.
THSP 300-Performance and Production (1)
Upper division laboratory course in all aspects of theatre performance and production. Project assignments in departmental productions and workshops. Graded by faculty jury. May be repeated only once for credit.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of THSP 200 and approval of the department head.
Offered every semester.
Taken by majors during two semesters following admission into the upper division of the program. Admission to upper division work is determined by faculty jury. Typical assignments include production crew heads, stage managers, assistant directors, assistant designers, casting pool for University Theatre productions and demonstration labs, dem-lab directors, etc.
THSP 400-Performance and Production (1)
Upper division laboratory course in all aspects of theatre performance and production. Project assignments in departmental productions and workshops. Graded by faculty jury. May be repeated only once for credit.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of THSP 200 and approval of the department head.
Offered every semester.
Admission to THSP 400 is determined by faculty jury upon completion of THSP 300. Taken by majors during two semesters following completion of two semesters of THSP 300. In addition to types of assignments undertaken in THSP 300, senior level students are expected to be able to conduct independent projects under faculty advice and supervision.
Synthesis: the directing sequence.
While we are interested in instructing students in the art and craft of directing, the emphasis of these courses is on synthesis and integration of understandings and skills related to the use of the theatrical instrument, to the nature of the theatre, and to its function in society.
THSP 331-Directing I (3)
Basic elements of play directing: play analysis, director-actor communication, and the uses of improvisation. Each student will direct a short scene and participate in diagnostic criticism.
Pre-requisites: THSP 143, 255, 257 and approval of the instructor. Co-requisite: THSP 300 or 400.
Offered every fall.
Typically taken by majors following admission into the upper division of the program.
THSP 431-Directing II (3)
Directing of short scenes for laboratory presentation and participation in diagnostic criticism.
Pre-requisite: THSP 331 and approval of the instructor. Co-requisite: THSP 300 or 400.
Offered every spring.
Typically taken by major following successful completion of THSP 331.
Theatre & Speech Electives-lower division
No lower division electives are required for the Theatre or Theatre Education major.
THSP 107-Voice and Diction (3)
Systematic training of the speaking voice for controlled articulation, volume, and tone in interpersonal communication.
Offered every semester.
Students may be advised to enroll in this course to address individual needs or interests.
THSP 125-Dance Technique I (3)
A studio introduction to dance including physical and musical disciplines, form, style, and standard professional practice.
Offered on demand.
Students may be advised to enroll in this course to address individual needs or interests.
THSP 225-Dance Technique II (3)
A studio course for students with previous dance training. Attention to choreography.
Pre-requisite: THSP 125 or approval of the instructor.
Offered on demand.
Qualified students may enroll in this course to address individual needs or interests.
THSP 259r-Playwrights’ Seminar (2)
Development of the playwrights’ craft through exercises in dramatic writing, critique, and examination of dramaturgical principles.
May be repeated for up to six hours credit.
Pre-requisites: THSP 151, 255 or 257, or approval of the instructor.
Offered on demand.
Qualified students may enroll in this course to address individual needs or interests.
THSP 280-Introduction to Film (3)
The history and language of motion pictures studied by viewing and analyzing selected film masterpieces and the ideas they explore. Every semester.
Electives-upper division
9 semester hours are required for the Theatre major. Theatre Education majors are required to take 3 hours of upper division electives.
THSP 343-History of Costume (3)
Study of wearing apparel, principally in the western world from ancient Egypt to the present with a particular emphasis on clothing as a reflection of the cultural milieu.
Offered on demand.
THSP 423-Advanced Problems in Acting (3)
Further development of the actor’s instrument with emphasis upon performance style in the theatre.
Prerequisites: THSP 151, 221, 2 semesters of THSP 200r and/or approval if the instructor. Pre- or co-requisite: THSP 300r.
Offered spring semester alternate years.
THSP 450r-Topics in Drama and Theatre (3)
Study of dramatic genres, dramaturgy, playwrights, theatre and performance theory, applications and/or interpretations by theatre artists. A specific topic will be listed in course schedule. May be repeated for up to six hours when specified topics differ. Offered on demand.
THSP 457-Conceptual Foundations of the Modern Theatre (3)
Studies in the concepts of selected playwrights, directors, and designers who helped to shape the directions of the twentieth-century theatre and its drama.
Pre-requisite: approval of the instructor.
Offered spring semester alternate years.
THSP 459- Playwrights’ Workshop (2)
Use of rehearsal, performance, and production process for the development of student writing for the stage.
Pre-requisites: THSP 259, THSP 331, THSP 300r and/or approval of the instructor.
Offered on demand.
THSP 485-Film Topics (3)
Directors, genres, styles or theories of film studied by viewing and analyzing representative films. On demand.
Directed studies
These courses are designed to address the interests of individuals and groups of advanced students. Students may propose projects in theatre practice with faculty or faculty may offer a directed studies course to address a demonstrated need of a group of students. We anticipate placing greater emphasis on directed studies in order to provide additional focus and momentum for the work of senior students as they prepare for graduation.
THSP 461r-Directed Studies Advanced Production (1-4)
Advanced problems in design and technical theatre.
Pre-requisite: approval of department head.
May be repeated for credit.
THSP 463r-Directed Studies Advanced Performance (1-4)
Advanced problems in acting, directing, and musical theatre.
Pre-requisite: approval of department head.
May be repeated for credit.
Additional required courses for the Theatre Education major.
This major is currently under review and we anticipate changes in this curriculum in the near future. Coursework is done under the supervision of faculty from the nationally known Southeast Center for Education in the Arts and its Theatre Institute . The emphasis is on a discipline-based approach and integration of the arts. Current requirements include.
THSP 412-Theatre for Youth (3)
All phases of producing plays for or by junior audiences examined, including the techniques of creative dramatics.
Offered on demand.
Typically taken prior to taking EDUC 444r –Student teaching in Theatre.
THSP 465r-Directed Studies in Theatre Education (1-4. Three hours credit are required.)
Problems in teaching theatre, creative dramatics, arts integration, etc to K-12 students. On demand. Prerequisite: Approval of Department Head. May be repeated for up to six hours credit.
Other required course work for the Theatre Education major
Art 301 - Art Structure (3)
An exploration of the visual arts to enhance critical perception and appreciation of art with experiences in describing, analyzing and comparing various examples. Involves studio experiences in painting, drawing, sculpture, and other media as well as written work in art history and contemporary theory and criticism. Every semester. For the non-art major.
Music 111-Introduction to Music (3)
Designed to promote awareness of western music as a mode of communication and a major component of western culture, this course will examine styles, significant works and prominent musicians in an historical context. The relationships among political, religious, scientific and philosophical issues and styles in western music will be considered.
University Studies 330 – Arts Integration (3)
Designed for pre-service education majors as an introduction to the philosophy and practice of arts integration. This course will provide students with basic knowledge of educational drama, dance, music, and visual art, clear reasons for integration, specific integration principles applicable across the curriculum, and ongoing opportunities to develop, observe, lead and participate in arts integration instruction in elementary classrooms. Prerequisites: Education 306, 323 or PDS I, Art 301 and Music 111.
Psychology 221 - The Psychology of Child Development (3)
Infancy through childhood. Concepts of development and functioning derived from both research and clinical observation. Emphasis on cognitive, social, and emotional development. Child-rearing applications. Every semester. Pre-requisite: 101 or equivalent. Credit not allowed in both Education 203 and Psychology 221.
OR:
Psychology 222 -The Psychology of Adolescence and Adulthood (3)
Principles of adolescent functionality. Evaluation of various theories of adolescence. Psychodynamic consideration of life-span development concepts and the adjustment problems related to aging. Emphasis on age-related changes. Pre-requisite: 101 or equivalent. Credit not allowed in both Education 204 and Psychology.
OR:
Education 204- Human Growth: Adolescence
Education 201 - Education in the United States (3)
Organization and historical development of education in the United States, philosophical concepts and their influences on contemporary education, current issues. Field component. Every semester.
Education 321 -Teaching of Reading in the Secondary School (3)
Integrating reading shills and teaching strategies with the teaching of content area subjects. Pre-requisites: Education 201 and Human Ecology 242 or approval of the instructor. Required of all secondary education majors.
OR:
Education 323 -Teaching Reading (3)
Emphasis on reading as a developmental process and on useful strategies for getting meaning from print; survey of current methods, ways to integrate literature, teaching procedures, assessment techniques, and materials for the teaching of reading. Field component required. Pre-requisites: Education 306, English 228 or 220. May not be used for graduate credit.
Education 400 -Survey of Exceptional Learners (3)
An overview of exceptional children and youth and the philosophy of inclusion. Emphasis on individual differences among students with particular attention to students with special needs. The interrelated roles of regular and special education teachers and related professionals in adapting instruction to meet special needs will be addressed. May also be registered as ESPY 400. Credit not allowed in both Education 400 and ESPY 400.
Education 433 - Designing Instruction & Evaluation in the Secondary Classroom (4)
Formulating and evaluating appropriate affective and cognitive objectives. Lesson planning and a wide range of teaching strategies will be examined. Each student will be required to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of component teaching skills via the microteaching laboratory and a self-developed teaching unit. Prerequisite: admission to Teacher Education Program.
Education 444r - Student Teaching in Music, Visual Arts, Exercise Science, Health Promotion, and Theatre (12)
Enhanced student teaching in both elementary and senior high school grades in Professional Development School II. Placements will ensure experiences in diverse schools. Every semester. Prerequisites: All education courses, specific methods courses related to the discipline, 90% of content courses, admission to Teacher Education Program, application for and admission to student teaching according to School of Educational Leadership guidelines. Required of majors in Music Education, Art Education, Exercise Science K-12, Health Promotion, and Theatre Education. May not be used for graduate credit
