Curriculum

A. Degree Requirements

The Department of Theater and Dance presently offers one degree program: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theater.  In addition, two Bachelor of Arts Interdisciplinary Fine Arts Degree tracks are housed in this department: Music-Theater and Dance Arts.

Like all baccalaureate programs at IUP it requires a minimum of 120 credits and an average grade of C (2.0) for completion.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in theater is a broad-based, liberal arts program providing a basic foundation in theater studies with a concentration in a specific area of theater. Students have the opportunity to pursue a specialization in theater, a minor in dance, a minor in another discipline, a double major, or fashion a program of course work involving a wide range of disciplines.

The Interdisciplinary Fine Arts degree tracks in Music-Theater and Dance Arts also provide broad-based, liberal arts programs focusing on theater, dance and music for the Music Arts track and Dance with secondary areas in theater, music or art for the Dance Arts track.

The degree program in Theater has the following credit requirements:

1. Liberal Studies (53 credits)
2. Major courses (40 credits)
3. Elective courses (27 credits)

B. The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater

I. LIBERAL STUDIES REQUIREMENT: 53 credits

For a detailed list of graduation requirements check the IUP Undergraduate Catalog. However, a condensed list follows:

Learning Skills

College Writing: ENGL 101 (4 cr)
Research Writing: ENGL 202 (3 cr)
Math Course: (3 cr)

Knowledge Areas

Humanities: History: HIST 195 (3 cr)
Humanities: Literature (3 cr)
Humanities: Phil/Rel (3 cr)

Fine Arts: (3 cr): Pick one: ARHI 101, MUHI 101, DANC 102

Health & Wellness: (3 cr) OR Nutrition & Wellness: (3 cr) OR See Military/ROTC option (4 cr)

Social Science: (Three courses for 9 credits)

Lab Sci Course I (4 cr)
Lab Sci Course II (4 cr)

OR

Lab Sci Course (4 cr)
Non-lab Sci Course (3 cr)
Non-lab Sci Course (3 cr)

LS Elective: (Three courses for 9 credits)

Synthesis: Synthesis: LBST 499 (3 cr)

Liberal Studies Requirements (included among the total courses required for graduation)

Non-Western Culture (3 cr)
Writing-Intensive: Within major (3 cr)
Writing-Intensive: Outside or within major (3 cr)

II. THEATER MAJOR: 40 credits

A total of 9 credits from no more than two of the following concentration options:

Design/Tech Concentration (In addition to any of the technical core beyond the required 6 credits)

THTR 320  Scene Design                                                      
THTR 321  Stage Lighting Design                                    
THTR 322  Costume Design                                                   
THTR 323  Sound Design                                                     
THTR 324  Advanced Stagecraft                                          
THTR 489  Technical Theater Problems                              

Performance Concentration (In addition to any of the performance core beyond the required 6 credits)

THTR 340  Acting II                                                               
THTR 341  Acting Styles                                                        
THTR 342  Acting Shakespeare                                            
THTR 484  Directing Studio                                                   
THTR 487  Acting Studio                                                       

Musical Theater Concentration (In addition to any of the performance core beyond the required 6
credits, students choosing this concentration would be encouraged to audition for limited 
seats in voice lessons offered in the Music Department)

DANC 150  Fundamentals of Dance                                     
DANC 250  Beginning Modern Dance                                  
DANC 260  Beginning Jazz Dance                                         
DANC 270  Beginning Ballroom and Tap Dance                
DANC 280  Beginning Ballet                                                   
DANC 290  Ethnic Dance                                                        
THTR 341  Acting Styles                                                        
THTR 487  Acting Studio                                                       
DANC 485  Dance Studio                                                        

Theater History and Theory Concentration (In addition to taking all four of the Classic and Modern Theater 
courses, an additional 3 credits can be chosen from the following or from specially defined THTR 281/481/483 courses)

THTR 310  Theater Criticism (W)                                        
THTR 350  Directing                                                                
THTR 347  Playwriting (W)                                                    

 Theater majors must elect an additional 3 credits  from any THTR course listed above as well as any of the following courses.

THTR 223  Makeup for the Stage                                          
THTR 281  Special Topics                                                     
THTR 310  Theater Criticism (W)                                          
THTR 345  Touring Young People’s Theater                      
THTR 347  Playwriting (W)                                                    
THTR 481  Special Topics                                                      
THTR 483  Honors Thesis                                                      
THTR 493  Internship                                                              

III. FREE ELECTIVES: 27 credits

C. Interdisciplinary Fine Arts track in Music-Theater

D. Interdisciplinary Fine Arts Track in Dance Arts

E.  Dance Minor

Developed and implemented in 1996 and revised in 2005, the Department of Theater and Dance’s Dance Minor program provides a foundation for those interested in teaching dance, working with a dance company, managing a private dance studio, working with theater productions, or desiring a broad-based education within the dance discipline.

Students choosing a dance minor should work closely with a dance advisor to plan a course of study that best meets their needs and accounts for their dance background.

Required Courses: 6 credits
DANC 102 Introduction to Dance
 

Choose one from the following:
DANC 351 Choreography  
DANC 353 Dance Curriculum & Instruction
DANC 355 Dance Production

Four courses from the following as advised: 12 credits

DANC 150 Fundamentals of Dance                           DANC 280 Beginning Ballet
DANC 250 Beginning Modern Dance                          DANC 290 Ethnic
DANC 260 Jazz Dance                                           DANC 481 Dance Studio
DANC 270 Beginning Ballroom/Tap Dance

No course can be used to satisfy both the required 6 credit and the elective 12 credit categories.

F. A Theater Minor for Non-Majors

A minor in theater is 15 semester hours of course work offered by the Department of Theater and Dance. The minor is subject to the approval of the chair of the Department of Theater and Dance. Students are encouraged to seek advisement on an approved course progression with the chair as soon as they begin pursuit of a theater minor. In order to put a theater minor on record with the Registrar, the student must complete a Theater Minor form. This form is available in the department office and must be reviewed and approved by the Chair after the 15 semester hours have been completed.

G. Other Elective Options

Students in the B.A. program in the theater have a minimum of twenty seven hours of free electives. There is virtually an unlimited number of ways to satisfy this academic requirement. You can:

If you select a major or a minor in another discipline, you must contact the appropriate department to find out its specific requirements to complete the course of study.

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Last updated: 09/21/2007