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2016-2017 University Catalog
Theater, BA
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Banner Code: AR-BA-THR
Web: theater.gmu.edu
College: College of Visual and Performing Arts
Department: School of Theater
The BA degree stresses the breadth of a liberal arts education in the belief that such study, combined with serious practical training and experience, offers the best preparation for a life in theater and screen.
Students complete the theater core. To organize their advanced work within the major, students select 24 credits of 300-400-level courses, chosen from any area of emphasis in Theater or students elect a course of study from four concentrations: Performance (Acting and Directing), Design and Technical Theater, Playwriting and Dramaturgy, or Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12.
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Foundation Requirements
- Oral communication Credits: 3
- Information technology Credits: 3
- Quantitative reasoning Credits: 3
- ENGH 101 - Composition Credits: 3
- ENGH 302 - Advanced Composition Credits: 3
Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGH 100 for ENGH 101. Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGH 100 or 101, as well as in 302, to fulfill degree requirements.
Core Requirements
- Literature Credits: 3
- Arts (outside the major) (students earning a concentration in Design and Technical Theater must take ARTH 101 , ARTH 102 , ARTH 200 , ARTH 201 ) Credits: 3
- Natural science (including one laboratory science) Credits: 7
- Western civilization Credits: 3
- Global understanding Credits: 3
- Social and behavioral sciences Credits: 3
- Synthesis requirement (see concentration for specific requirement) Credits: 3
Foreign Language, Minor, Double Major or Double Degree (0–16 credits)
See beginning of CVPA section for foreign language requirement.
Students may complete an academic minor, double major or double degree in lieu of the foreign language requirement. Theater Core Requirements (43 credits)
One upper-level dramatic literature course (3 credits)
Upper-Level Electives (21-24 credits)
- 21-24 credits chosen from THR 300-499
Students electing to complete a concentration will fulfill part of this requirement with concentration-specific courses.
Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 concentration students must take the following to fulfill part of this requirement: Theater Concentrations (12-16 credits)
Theater majors may apply to complete their degree with a concentration in one of the following:
Note that theater majors are not required to complete a concentration to graduate with a Theater BA. ▲ Concentration in Performance (PFM)
Designed for the serious student of acting and directing with professional aspirations. Solid grounding in the fundamentals of performance analysis and basic training of the actor’s instrument are complemented by a rigorous, sequential instruction in the various facets of the actor’s craft.
At its core, the Performance Concentration is a blend of Modern and Classical actor training using a Stanislavski-grounded approach balanced with techniques for understanding texts written two hundred years before “motivation” and “characterization” entered the critical vocabulary. Rounding out the curriculum is specialized study in vocal production and movement technique. Matriculation in this program expresses a profound commitment to a rigorous intellectual, physical and emotional investigation of the discipline of performance over a two-year period. Professional development is enhanced with ongoing student progress reviews, support and advising from Performance Concentration faculty.
Synthesis fulfilled by THR 440 - Advanced Studies in Directing/Dramaturgy Credits: 3 or THR 496 - Text in Production Credits: 3 .
Required Core Courses: ▲ Concentration in Playwriting and Dramaturgy (PWD)
Acknowledges a creative and practical connection between the work of the playwright and dramaturg. Students choosing this area of specialization will focus on the literary aspects of theater, such as playwriting, dramaturgy, screenwriting, translation, adaptation, season planning, and theater criticism. Students seeking specialized experience as a playwright or dramaturg will choose from a selection of required and recommended courses designed to expose students to a broad range of contemporary and classical texts, deepen their understanding of dramatic structure, encourage collaboration, and foster opportunities for new play development. Students are encouraged to consult their advisors on complementary courses of interest outside the major, such as in the visual and performing arts, Film and Video Studies, English and Foreign Language. This concentration gives students access to a variety of hands-on opportunities within the School of Theater and the professional world.
Synthesis fulfilled by THR 440 - Advanced Studies in Directing/Dramaturgy Credits: 3
Required Core Course: ▲ Concentration in Theater Education for Theater Arts PK-12 (THEA)
Designed for students interested in pursuing theater education. In addition to transcript review and the submission of an essay detailing goals for the concentration, students must:
- Have earned 45 to 60 credits.
- Submit scores for the Praxis Core (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) tests to the committee. (It is strongly recommended that students take the Praxis Core tests as soon as ENGH 302 , a course in literature, and a course in mathematics have been completed.)
- Maintain an overall GPA of 2.80 in all course work completed at Mason and in course work at all institutions of higher learning combined.
- Earn no grade lower than a C in theater and professional education courses needed for graduation.
Upon fulfilling THR 448 , THR 449 , THR 450 , EDRD 300 , EDUC 301 , and EDUC 302 students must complete 15 weeks of a full-time student teaching internship (THR 455 ). Applications for placement, subject to approval of the unit, are submitted to the Field Placement Specialist in the College of Education and Human Development at the beginning of the previous semester. In addition, students must pass the VCLA before student teaching.
Synthesis is fulfilled by THR 440 - Advanced Studies in Directing/Dramaturgy Credits: 3 or THR 496 - Text in Production Credits: 3 .
Required Core Courses:
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