Theatre Studies, BA (THEATSTU-BA)

CIP Code: 500501

Program Description

The Theatre Studies Program combines studies in theatre with broad preparation in the liberal arts. Students master the fundamentals of acting, directing, history, literature, and design/technology and can use theatre electives to concentrate further in one of these or other areas. The BA program is designed to allow students to take a second major or to pursue minor concentrations in two or three other academic areas.

Because of the strength of the theatre production program in the department, the BA Theatre Studies student is in the particularly advantageous position to acquire a high level of practical, as well as theoretical knowledge-a distinction not afforded theatre students in programs with a lesser production emphasis. The student is encouraged to diversify in a variety of disciplines; courses throughout the department, as well as production opportunities, are open to these students.

Admissions Process

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Critically analyze a work of drama within the contexts of theatre history, dramatic literature and production practice.
Demonstrate competence in the fundamental skills of at least one area of technical theatre (costumes, sets, lighting, sound, stage management).
Demonstrate competence in fundamental techniques and skills related to the performance process.
Demonstrate knowledge of potential employment paths and/or graduate school opportunities related to Theatre Arts.
Demonstrate an understanding of the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of theatre-making (including writing, directing, acting, design, and technology).

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Critically analyze a work of drama within the contexts of theatre history, dramatic literature and production practice.
Demonstrate competence in the fundamental skills of at least one area of technical theatre (costumes, sets, lighting, sound, stage management).
Demonstrate competence in fundamental techniques and skills related to the performance process.
Demonstrate knowledge of potential employment paths and/or graduate school opportunities related to Theatre Arts.
Demonstrate an understanding of the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of theatre-making (including writing, directing, acting, design, and technology).

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy three additional credit hours in the Additional Core Courses category.

LA 1020 - First-Year Seminar: College of Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Required:
TH 2140 - Theatre in Western Culture Credit Hour(s): 3

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

II. Major Requirements: 33 Credit Hours

Students are required to complete the following courses:
TH 1020 - Stagecraft Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 1470 - Acting Aesthetics Credit Hour(s): 2
TH 1480 - Acting Aesthetics Credit Hour(s): 2
TH 2100 - Theatre Technology Credit Hour(s): 2
TH 3500 - Directing Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3800 - Theatre History and Literature I Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3810 - Theatre History and Literature II Credit Hour(s): 3
Students will select a total of 15 credit hours from the following:
DAN 1070 - Ballet for the Actor I Credit Hour(s): 2
DAN 1080 - Ballet for the Actor II Credit Hour(s): 2
DAN 1240 - Jazz for the Actor I Credit Hour(s): 1
DAN 1250 - Jazz Dance for the Actor II Credit Hour(s): 1
DAN 2330 - Inside Dance: Dance as Art and Entertainment Credit Hour(s): 3
DAN 2510 - Dance History I Credit Hour(s): 3
MP 1310 - The Moving Image Credit Hour(s): 3
MP 2310 - History of the Motion Picture I Credit Hour(s): 3
MP 3310 - Studies in Film History Credit Hour(s): 3
MP 3320 - Studies in Film Authorship Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 2020 - Sound Design Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 2190 - Stage Lighting I Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 2220 - Theatre Production Credit Hour(s): 1
TH 3010 - Introduction to Theatrical Design Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3210 - Scene Painting I Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3260 - Costume Design Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3280 - Decorative Style through the Ages Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3290 - Costume History Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3340 - Costume Construction Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3350 - Costume Crafts Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3510 - Stage Management Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3720 - Musical Theatre History and Literature I Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3730 - Musical Theatre History and Literature II Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3840 - Introduction to Dramatic Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
TH 3990 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
Note: Other courses may be substiututed with permission of the instructor and Theatre Studies advisor.

III. College Requirements: 18-22 Credit Hours

Foreign Language: 12-16 Credit Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one foreign language:

American Sign Language (ASL)*, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, or other foreign language.

*Note: all language classes above are 3 credit hours each, except for the ASL classes which are 4 credit hours each.

Methods of Inquiry: 6 Credit Hours

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. General Electives: 29-33 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Students are encouraged to consider adding a minor, certificate, or microcredential.

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

These guides are valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and are subject to change. These guides are a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.