Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog 2004-2005 Edition

Curriculum in
Theatre Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts provides a broad humanistic education in the liberal and fine arts. By means of classroom instruction and an integrated production component, the Theatre Arts student gains both a fundamental academic background and the foundations of training as a theatre artist. This preparation can lead to a career in commercial theatre, educational theatre, advanced study in a variety of related professional disciplines, or entry into a broad array of jobs in public relations and communications.

Teacher Certification in Theatre Arts

For Theatre Arts Majors. Theatre arts majors desiring certification to teach theatre arts (drama) in the secondary schools of Texas also must take a minimum of 24 semester hours in a second teaching field.

For Non-Theatre Arts Majors. Students not majoring in theatre arts and desiring certification to teach theatre arts in the secondary schools of Texas must take the following theatre arts courses: THAR 101, 110, 135, 320, 381and 382; THAR 345, 355 or 360; and an additional 6 hours of upper-level theatre arts courses to be chosen in consultation with a theatre arts academic advisor.

Production Requirements for Theatre Arts Majors

This is by nature a performing art, and production is its lifeblood. An integrated production component is designed to encourage, guide and challenge individual creative and artistic development. Theatre Arts majors are expected to actively participate in departmental productions.

Theatre Arts majors, and those seeking secondary certification in theatre arts, fill this requirement in one of three ways: (1) by enrolling in THAR 290 for one credit hour, may be repeated three times; (2) by enrolling in theatre arts courses which have a production lab component, currently THAR 135, 145, 255 and 335; (3) by participating in a minimum of one mainstage production per semester as actor, production staff member, running crew member, or promotional crew member. Note that 3 hours of THAR 290 credit are included within the 33 credit hours for completion of the theatre arts major.

Theatre Arts. No more than 33 credits in theatre arts can be applied to the degree; a minimum of 12 hours must be taken at the upper-division level. A grade of C or higher is required for a course to be counted in the major field.

Credit
3		THAR 101 Introduction to Western Theatre
3		THAR 110 Acting I: Fundamentals
3		THAR 135 Technical Theatre
3		THAR 145 Basic Theatrical Design
3		THAR 280 History of Theatre I
3		THAR 281 History of Theatre II
3		THAR 320 Directing I
3		THAR 345 Scene Design, or
		THAR 355 Costume Design or
		THAR 360 Lighting Design
9		Theatre Arts Electives: 6 of which at 300 or 400 level

College and University Requirements. Other courses may qualify for the following categories. Students should consult the approved list of courses available in the Undergraduate Student Services Office in the College of Liberal Arts. The following lists incorporate University Core Curriculum requirements. No course can be counted in more than one category.

Credit
6		ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric: with a minimum grade of C; plus one course chosen from ENGL 203, 235, 236 or 241; COMM 203.
9		Literature in English: ENGL 212 or 412 and 340 plus one course chosen from ENGL 221, 222, 227, 228, 231 or 232.
14		Foreign Language (14 hours or equivalent): Four course sequence in French, German, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Greek or Latin unless permission is received from department head to substitute work in other languages. This will not satisfy the college humanities and visual and performing arts requirements.
6		Mathematics: At least 3 hours must be in math (excluding 102, 103, 104, 130, 150, 165, 365, and 366). Three hours may also be in logic.
8		Courses shall include a corresponding BIOL 113/123, 114/124; BOTN 101; CHEM 101, 102; GEOG 203/213; GEOL 101, 106; ATMO 301/304; PHYS (any 200-level course); RENR 205/215; ZOOL 107.
12		Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts: Minimum one course each from ARTS/ENDS, MUSC and PHIL.
6		Social and Behavioral Sciences: PSYC 107 and an additional 3 hours selected from the approved list of courses in anthropology, archaeology, economics, geography, journalism, political science, psychology, speech communications and sociology.
12		U.S. History and Political Science: POLS 206 and 207 and two courses in American history.
(3)		International and Cultural Diversity: To be selected from approved list. This course may also be used to satisfy any other requirement.
*2		Kinesiology: KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity and KINE 199 Required Physical Activity.
15-18		Minor Field of Study: A minor is required. It must consist of 15-18 hours, no more than 9 of which may be lower division. No more than 9 hours from the minor may be used to fulfill other requirements. A grade of C or higher is required if a course is to be counted in the minor field. A minor must be declared before the student completes 75 credit hours.
8-11		Free electives
128		Total hours

* See Kinesiology requirements.

Minor in Theatre Arts: 18 credit hours required

Credit
3		Chosen from THAR 101 Introduction to Western Theatre or THAR 102
3		THAR 110 Acting I: Fundamentals
3		THAR 381 Theatre History and Dramatic Literature I
3		THAR 382 Theatre History and Dramatic Literature II
6		Elective courses approved by the Theatre Arts faculty