Theatre

B.A. Degree - Film, Theatre, and Performance Studies Major

In addition to the general education requirements, Film, Theatre, and Performance Studies majors must complete 42 semester hours as prescribed below:

Core Courses 27 s.h.
ENGL2510 Introduction to Film 3 s.h.
ENGL3110 Critical Theory 3 s.h.
ENGL3530 Digital Filmmaking 3 s.h.
THTR1200 Introduction to Theatre 3 s.h.
THTR1220 Beginning Acting 3 s.h.
THTR1310 Introduction to Stagecraft 3 s.h.
THTR2110 Performance Studies 3 s.h.
THTR2250 Experimental Performance 3 s.h.
THTR4100 Directing I 3 s.h.
Theatre History 6 s.h.
THTR3370 Theatre History I 3 s.h.
THTR3380 Theatre History II 3 s.h.
TwoTopics Film Courses 6 s.h., selected from the following:
ENGL2530 Film Topics 3 s.h. (May be repeated when topic changes.)
ENGL2550 The Politics in/of Film 3 s.h.
ENGL3520 American Cinema History 3 s.h.
ENGL3550 Film Studies 3 s.h. (May be repeated when topic changes.)
One Upper-Division Electives 3 s.h., selected from the following:
Any of the History or Film courses listed above which are not already being used toward fulfillment of the Major requirements.
ENGL3150 Film, Theatre, and the American Dream 3 s.h.
THTR3350 Shakespeare 3 s.h.
THTR4350 Theatre Production Studies 1 s.h. (May be repeated up to three times for credit in the major.)
THTR4150 Senior Project or ENGL4150 Senior Project 3 s.h.

Theatre and Speech Communications Minor

A minor in Theatre and Speech Communication requires 18 semester hours of courses in theatre/speech communication as prescribed below:

COMM1200 Speech Communication: An Introduction 3 s.h.
Choose one:: THTR1200 Introduction to Theatre 3 s.h.; THTR1220 Beginning Acting 3 s.h.; THTR1240 Vocal Presentation Skills 3 s.h.
THTR1310 Introduction to Stagecraft 3 s.h.
THTR2100 Dramatic Criticism and Script Analysis 3 s.h.
Choose one:: ENGL/THTR3350 Shakespeare 3 s.h.; THTR2400 Dramatic Literature 3 s.h.
Communication electives 3 s.h.

Theatre Minor

A minor in Theatre requires 17 semester hours to include:

THTR1200 Introduction to Theatre 3 s.h.
THTR2110 Performance Studies 3 s.h.
One of the following: 3 s.h.: THTR1220 Beginning Acting 3 s.h.; THTR1310 Introduction to Stagecraft 3 s.h.; THTR2120 Introduction to Performance Art 3 s.h.
THTR3100 Dramatic Literature 3 s.h.
One of the following: 3 s.h.: THTR3370 Theatre History I 3 s.h.; THTR3380 Theatre History II 3 s.h.; THTR3400 History of Postmodern Performance and Live Art 3 s.h.
THTR2350/4350 Theatre Production Studies 1 s.h.
(Must be repeated twice for credit in the minor.)

Teacher Certification in Speech Communication/Theatre

FOR SPEECH COMMUNICATION MAJORS WHO WANT A SECONDARY SPEECH COMMUNICATION/THEATRE ENDORSEMENT (5-12): Students majoring in Speech Communication who desire Iowa Teacher Certification with a secondary endorsement must complete the major requirements and the Secondary Education Program (with COMM4390 Methods of Teaching Theatre and Speech as the appropriate methods course), and the following courses:
COMM1200 Speech Communication: An Introduction or
COMM1230 Small Group Discussion 3 s.h.
COMM/ENGL2500 Introduction to Mass Media 3 s.h.
COMM3330 Dialogue: Theory and Practice 3 s.h.
THTR1220 Beginning Acting 3 s.h.
THTR1240 Vocal Presentation Skills or
THTR2110 Performance Studies 3 s.h.
FOR THE NON-COMMUNICATION MAJORS WHO WANT A SECONDARY SPEECH COMMUNICATION/THEATRE ENDORSEMENT (5-12): Non-Communication majors desiring a secondary endorsement (5-12) in Iowa must complete the Secondary Education Program (with COMM4390 Methods of Teaching Theatre and Speech as the appropriate methods course), a major in a secondary teaching field, and the following courses:
COMM1200 Speech Communication: An Introduction or
COMM1230 Small Group Discussion 3 s.h.
COMM/ENGL2500 Introduction to Mass Media 3 s.h.
COMM3330 Dialogue: Theory and Practice 3 s.h.
THTR1220 Beginning Acting 3 s.h.
THTR1240 Vocal Presentation Skills or
THTR2110 Performance Studies 3 s.h.
One Speech Communication Elective COMM Prefix 3 s.h.
Two Theatre Electives THTR Prefix 6 s.h.

Courses in Theatre

THTR1200 Introduction to Theatre 3 s.h.
Designed to develop an appreciation and enjoyment of dramatic art and to foster an understanding of some of the basic principles which underlie theatre practice and theatre technique. Students should develop an appreciation for the work of the artists who help to bring the playwright’s pages to life as well as consider their contribution as members of an audience. Goal 2A

THTR1220 Beginning Acting 3 s.h.
Study and practice of the fundamentals of acting through improvisation and exploratory exercises. Basic principles of stage performance designed to enhance the student’s appreciation of the art form are emphasized. Goal 2A

THTR1240 Vocal Presentation Skills 3 s.h.
The study and use of effective physical and vocal presentation methods. Goal 3B

THTR1310 Introduction to Stagecraft 3 s.h.
Introduction to the elements and practices of theatrical construction and scene design. Concentration on the techniques of theatrical construction, costume construction, lighting technology, stage mechanics, alternative methods of staging and shifting stage scenery, backstage organization, and development through practical experience of essential woodworking and stagecraft skills. Laboratory session required. Goal 2A

THTR2000 Individual Study Goal 2A 1-3 s.h.

THTR2110 Performance Studies 3 s.h.
Introduction to the contemporary concept of “performance”, a key way of thinking about theatre in contemporary scholarship. It will provide an overview of organized human behavior as performance—from ritual to play to theatre to live art. Goal 2A

THTR2120 Theatre, Performance, and Society 3 s.h.
Examines the social and cultural functions of theatre and performance and how they serve as tools for cultural learning, social activism, political indoctrination, and education of the people. This separates theatre and performance from its aesthetic qualities and instead focuses on its function. Goal 2A

THTR2130 Introduction to Performance Art 3 s.h.
An introductory exploration of performance art, live art, and devised performance by means of training, theory, and practice. Students will examine and engage in performance as an interdisciplinary art form and will develop an understanding of and competency with a number of approaches to and techniques of creating original experimental performance. Goal 2A

THTR2250 Experimental Performance 3 s.h.
A continuation of the study of acting through scenes and monologues. In addition to realism, this course will provide study in experimental performance. Topics will include genres from the Classics (Greek, Shakespeare, etc.) through Performance Art (Symbolism, Expressionism, Surrealism/dada, Post-Modernism, Viewpoints, etc.) Prerequisite: THTR1220. Goal 2A

THTR2350 Theatre Production Studies 0-1 s.h.
Participation in a theatrical production: acting, directing, technical production, design. (Total credits accumulated in this course plus THTR4350 may not exceed eight.) Students approved for credit work in this course by faculty-director must contribute a minimum of 45 clock hours of activity, which shall be exclusive of assignments, and activities pertaining to other courses. Goal 2A

THTR3000 Individual Study Goal 2A 1–3 s.h.

THTR3100 Dramatic Literature 3 s.h.
Exploration and analysis of an individual genre or topic in dramatic literature, with an emphasis on common themes and characteristics of texts that make up the categories. Subjects will vary, but may include the following: feminist theatre, postcolonial drama, multi-cultural theatre, American Realism, global theatre, theatre of the absurd, avant-garde theatre, theatre of the Holocaust, LGBT theatre, and Irish drama. May be repeated for credit when course subject changes. Goal 2A

+ THTR3350 Shakespeare (Also ENGL3350) 3 s.h.
Study of a representative group of Shakespearean plays and sonnets. Primary emphasis is placed on the dramatic and poetic elements in the plays with some study of various aspects of the Renaissance. Goal 2B

+ THTR3370 Theatre History I 3 s.h.
Study of the development of theatre, drama, and stagecraft from their beginnings through the 17th century, with reading of representative plays. Prerequisite: ENGL1410 Modern Rhetoric or THTR2100 Script Analysis and Dramatic Criticism. Goal 2A

+ THTR3380 Theatre History II 3 s.h.
Study of the development of theatre, drama, and stagecraft from the 18th century to the present, with readings of representative plays. Prerequisite: THTR3370 Theatre History I, or ENGL1410 Modern Rhetoric and consent of instructor. Goal 2A

THTR3400 History of Postmodern Performance and Live Art 3 s.h.
Examines history of contemporary experimental performance from the disciplines of both theatre and the visual arts. Goal 2A

+THTR3600 Advanced Acting 3 s.h.
Emphasis on enlarging and improving the actor’s physical, vocal and imaginative skills through performance of scenes and monologues to meet the wide range of stylistic demands of the theatrical repertory. Includes research into the social, political, artistic and martial influences of the periods studied. Prerequisite: THTR1220 Introduction to Acting. Goal 2A

THTR3700 Theatre Internship 1-3 s.h.
An opportunity for advanced students to link theatrical theory and practice by working with established theatre organizations. Students will consult with the instructor in researching and obtaining appropriate internships. May be repeated for credit up to 6 s.h. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.) Prerequisite: Theatre major/minor. Goal 2A

THTR3950 Topics in Theatre 2-3 s.h.
Advanced study of a selected area in theatre: performance, design, technology, history, management, dramaturgy, trends. May be repeated for credit. Goal 2A

THTR4000 Individual Study Goal 2A-3 s.h.

+ THTR4100 Directing 3 s.h.
Study and application of stage direction, including conceptualization, staging, rehearsal techniques, issues of style, and communication with actors and designers. Prerequisites: Theatre Major/Minor or consent or instructor, THTR1220 Introduction to Acting, THTR2100 Script Analysis and Dramatic Criticism. Goal 2A

THTR4150 Senior Project 3 s.h.
Planning, preparing, and presenting a seminar project in the student's area of concentration.

THTR4350 Advanced Theatre Production Studies 0-1 s.h.
Participation in a theatrical production: acting, directing, technical production, design. Students approved for credit work in this course by faculty-director must complete a minimum of 45 clock hours of activity which shall be exclusive of assignments and activities pertaining to other courses. Prerequisite: THTR2350 and junior or senior standing. (Total credits accumulated in this course plus THTR2350 may not exceed 8.) Goal 2A

+ THTR4390 Methods of Teaching Theatre and Speech (Also COMM4390) 3 s.h.
Consideration of the theatre and speech classroom experience on the secondary level. Provides training in methods, unit preparation, media, evaluation, and directing extracurricular activities. Required of prospective theatre and speech teachers. Goal 2A

+Denotes an alternate year course.