Academics
Department of Theater > Information for Future Majors
Students who are considering formal study of theater as artistic practice and academic discipline should begin with either or both of the following 100-level courses, in their first year if possible:
THTR 120 Acting I
THTR 130 Origins & Theories of Theater
Students who intend to major in theater will need both of these courses to complete their degree. Although these courses are not required for a minor in theater, they will provide an introduction to the study of theater and are therefore an excellent opportunity for minoring or undecided students to explore the discipline.
Students wishing to pursue advanced study in any area of theater must take the literature core, THTR 230 and THTR 231. These courses are required for all majors and minors, and they are prerequisite for all 300-level THTR courses, so students should plan to complete this sequence in their first two years if possible:
THTR 230 History of Drama I: Greeks to Shakespeare
THTR 231 History of Drama II: Moliere to Chekhov
Please see the “Requirements” page for a detailed list of requirements for students majoring or minoring in Theater.
Guide to course levels in Theater
100-level courses are foundational courses that introduce the discipline. All are open to students of any major; some are designed for non-majors (as well as majors), while others are designed to provide a foundation for students intending to major in theater.
200-level courses are designed for exploration of the techniques and methods of theater study and practice. Included in this set is the "literature core" (THTR 230, THTR 231), which is required of all theater majors and minors and provides the opportunity for them to demonstrate commitment to the discipline. All 200-level courses are designed for a mix of majors and non-majors, with a minimum of prerequisites whenever possible. At this level is included a variety of domestic pluralism and international perspectives courses (formerly GEC Cultural Diversity), which are open to students across the college.
300-level courses require committed students of theater to make connections between scholarship and practice, and between different techniques. All 300-level courses in THTR require that the literature core (THTR 230, THTR 231) has been completed prior to enrolling. These courses are intended primarily for majors and other students committed to the serious study of theater as both practice and scholarship. All 300-level courses in theater involve artistic production and written scholarship based in research and analysis.
Please see our “Course Descriptions” page for a current list of Theater courses.
Performance opportunities are available through the department productions, as well as through the student theater organization, the Garrick Players. Participation in Garrick Players productions is encouraged but will not be approved for academic credit. Credit for work on department productions may be earned by enrolling in the appropriate section of THTR 200 or THTR 205. Advanced production work on department productions may be arranged as a tutorial or independent study for course credit.
Please see our “Productions” page for more information on Theater Department productions.