Theatre Education

The theatre education major satisfies state secondary teaching endorsement requirements in theatre and speech. You must also complete the requirements of the secondary education program.

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Major requirements

COM 355 - Organizational Communication
(4 credits; alternate years) Examination of the role of communication within and between organizations. Attention to communication tasks within an organization such as news releases, memo writing, conducting meetings, and communicating to an organization's constituencies.
ENG 297 - The Rhetoric of Persuasion
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) A study of the methods of persuasion: logical and emotional appeals and trustworthiness, ways of structuring arguments, and persuasive style. Students will learn to create and critique arguments on a variety of subjects. Prerequisites: sophomore class standing or permission of instructor.
ENG 401 - History and Theory of Rhetoric
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) Designed to provide solid grounding in Greek and Roman rhetorical theory and practice including studies in pre-literate rhetoric and the theories of Aristotle and Plato, among others. Some attention is also given to the Christianizing of rhetorical theory during the Middle Ages. Finally, the course concludes with the examination of trends in contemporary rhetoric studies and topical applications. Prerequisite: junior class standing, ENG235 recommended.
THE 101x - Mass Media and Society
(4 credits) Examines the historical development, organization and structure of the mass media in contemporary society, as well as related issues and problems. Suggests Christian perspectives on use of and participation in the mass media. Cross-Referenced: Cross-referenced in communication studies.
THE 112 - Performance Studies
No course description available.
THE 114 - Stagecraft
(2 credits) A practical course which introduces students to the organization, skills and materials necessary for mounting a stage production.
THE 130 - Introduction to Design
No course description available.
THE 206 - Playwriting: The One-Act
(2 credits; alternate years, consult department) A workshop approach to the study of dramatic structure culminating in the writing of a one-act play. Prerequisite: THE110AE.
THE 215 - Acting
(4 credits) A practical approach to the basics of the acting craft, and the development of an individual artistic process.
THE 312 - Directing
(4 credits) Beginning directors review the guiding principles of theatrical art and then apply these to script selection, development of a prompt script, and the complete rehearsal process. Each student prepares a short play for public performance. Prerequisites: THE215 or permission of instructor.
THE 406 - Topics in Dramatic Literature
(2 credits) Specific subject matter of this course will vary from semester to semester, but will focus on the study of dramatic literature from one genre or one playwright or one geographical area or one theme/value. Prerequisite: THE110AE. Note: The course will be designed to welcome both majors and non- majors. The course may be taken more than once as long as the topic of study is different.
Choose one course:
THE 343WI - History and Theory I
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department ) (Writing intensive) A study of the development of the history and theory of theatre from its origins through the neoclassical period.
THE 344WI - History and Theory II
(4 credits; alternate years, consult department) (Writing intensive) A study of the development of the history and theory of the theatre from the English Restoration through the postmodern era.
Choose two credits:
ENG 280 - Shakespeare
(4 credits, alternate years) William Shakespeare never attended college, yet he saw the world sharply in his mind's eye. He wrote piercingly about kings and college students, warriors and witches, goblins and gravediggers, his 1,000 characters have never been off the stage in 400 years. In this course we read eight plays which fathom the range of human experience and take the English language to the height of expressive beauty. Prerequisite: ENG250LC
PHI 238BR - Philosophy of the Arts
No course description available.
THE 133 - Ballet
(1 credit) A study of the form and techniques of ballet. Note: Dance courses may be repeated up to a maximum of 4 credits.
THE 135 - Jazz Dance
(1 credit) A study of the form and techniques of jazz dance. Emphasis will be on the integration of modern musical performance. Note: Dance courses may be repeated up to a maximum of 4 credits.
THE 226 - Scene Design
(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) An introduction to the concepts, tools and skills of scenic design for the theatre. Emphasis is placed on practical hands-on experiences reinforcing previously learned design principles.
THE 227 - Introduction to Lighting Design
(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) An introduction to the basic skills, technology and artistic principles of stage lighting design.
THE 230 - Costume Design
(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) A study of methods and approaches to costume design for the theatre.
THE 260 - Drama Ministries Ensemble
(1/2 credit) A performance group emphasizing preparation of scripts for presentation in worship services and worship-related settings. Note: Members are chosen by audition. Course may be repeated.
(2 credit maximum goes toward major)
THE 305 - Story and Worship
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) Christian worship, at its core, is remembering the story of God. This includes biblical stories, personal narratives, the Liturgical Year, church history (global and local), and the story journey of each worship service. This course asks why the church must tell its stories and provides specific tools for including stories within worship. This course is not primarily focused on storytelling as drama, but the role of the dramatic arts will not be overlooked. Students will be invited to seriously consider that the ancient Hebrew people had a dramatic anthology, and the class will examine together practical tools for restaging those biblical works for contemporary culture.
THE 315 - Acting: Scene Work
No course description available.
THE 407 - Playwriting: The Full-Length
(4 credits, alternate years, consult department) This continuation of the study of playwriting focuses on the challenges of the long form. The course includes the processes of writing according to classic structural principles, rewriting, formatting and submitting plays for publication. Prerequisite: THE206 or permission of instructor.
THE 465 - Selected Topics in Theatre and Speech
(2-4 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course will focus on various issues of theatre and speech that are not covered in current course offerings. Possible topics might include: auditioning, stage management, musical theatre, contemporary theatre since 1967, specific genres (comedy, tragedy, theatre of the absurd, Greek, etc.), theatre as social criticism, ethnic theatre, theatre as historical documentary. Note: May be taken more than once, provided a different topic is studied.

Total credits required: 40

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