Curriculum
Pre USD Course Evaluation Form
This will allow a transfer course to be re-evaluated with the hopes that the new articulation will have a USD course equivalency to satisfy a particular area on your degree audit. Access this form.Students entering the University of San Diego and/or declaring a major during 2020-2021, should follow information contained in the printed course catalog (also known as the "catalog of record") published on April 1, 2020. Access the catalog of record at https://catalogs.sandiego.edu.
Preparation for the Major
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Lower-Division | ||
THEA 101 | Script Analysis | 3 |
THEA 116 | Theatre Practicum - Acting/Stage Management | 1-2 |
THEA 117 | Theatre Practicum - Backstage and Production | 1 |
THEA 205 | Technical Theatre with Lab | 4 |
THEA 220 | Fundamentals of Theatrical Design | 3 |
THEA 230 | Acting I | 3 |
Total Units | 15-16 |
Major Requirements
The Theatre major requires 26 upper-division units.
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Upper-Division | ||
THEA 316 | Theatre Practicum - Costume Production | 1 |
THEA 317 | Theatre Practicum - Stagecraft | 1 |
THEA 360 | Theatre History 1 | 3 |
THEA 362 | Theatre History 2 | 3 |
THEA 370 | Performance Studies | 3 |
THEA 380 | Theatre of Diversity | 3 |
THEA 475C | Theatre and Community | 3 |
Take two courses (six units) from the following: | 6 | |
Scenic Design | ||
Lighting and Sound for Entertainment Design | ||
Costume Design | ||
Playwriting | ||
Directing and Stage Management | ||
Take one course (three units) from the following: | 3 | |
Voice and Speech | ||
Physical Actor | ||
Acting for the Musical Theatre | ||
Classical Acting | ||
Total Units | 26 |
Students entering the University of San Diego and/or declaring a major during 2020-2021, should follow information contained in the printed course catalog (also known as the "catalog of record") published on April 1, 2020. Access the catalog of record at https://catalogs.sandiego.edu.
The Theatre Minor
Minor Requirements
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Lower Division | ||
THEA 101 | Script Analysis | 3 |
THEA 205 | Technical Theatre with Lab | 4 |
THEA 220 | Fundamentals of Theatrical Design | 3 |
THEA 230 | Acting I | 3 |
Take one course (one - two units) from the following: | 1-2 | |
Theatre Practicum - Acting/Stage Management | ||
Theatre Practicum - Backstage and Production | ||
Upper Division | ||
Take one course (one unit) from the following: | 1 | |
Theatre Practicum - Costume Production | ||
Theatre Practicum - Stagecraft | ||
Take one course (three units) from the following: | 3 | |
Performance Studies | ||
Theatre of Diversity | ||
Select one additional upper-division THEA course (three units) | 3 | |
Total Units | 21-22 |
Students entering the University of San Diego and/or declaring a major during 2020-2021, should follow information contained in the printed course catalog (also known as the "catalog of record") published on April 1, 2020. Access the catalog of record at https://catalogs.sandiego.edu.
THEA 101, THEA 111, THEA 116, THEA 117, THEA 155, THEA 201, THEA 205, THEA 220, THEA 230, THEA 294, THEA 316, THEA 317, THEA 320, THEA 325, THEA 330, THEA 340, THEA 345, THEA 360, THEA 362, THEA 365, THEA 367, THEA 370, THEA 380, THEA 385, THEA 390, THEA 405, THEA 435, THEA 475C, THEA 494, THEA 496, THEA 498, THEA 499
THEA 101 | SCRIPT ANALYSIS
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course focuses on the analysis of dramatic literature – learning how to closely read, examine, dissect, interpret, and analyze play scripts – which is the essential foundation for playmaking. Through the process of excavating a script for the ideas that ultimately shape the play in performance, students will develop critical thinking skills. The course includes extensive reading, written analysis, individual and group projects, and class discussion.
Core Attributes: Artistic Inquiry area
This course studies theatre as an art form and examines the historical role of theatre in the world and its significance as a cultural force. It involves attending plays, designing projects and/or performing.
THEA 116 | THEATRE PRACTICUM - ACTING/STAGE MANAGEMENT
Units: 1-2 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)
This course is for those cast in acting roles or assigned to work as an Assistant/Stage Manager in a Theatre Department show. Attendance required at all rehearsals and performances for the assigned show. Course is open to non-theatre majors/minors and repeatable for up to 3 units. Audition information available in Theatre office and on-line.
THEA 117 | THEATRE PRACTICUM - BACKSTAGE AND PRODUCTION
Units: 1 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)
This course is for students working backstage in a Theatre Department production. Student may be assigned to work in a number of backstage roles such as a dresser or lighting board operator. Attendance required for class meetings and all required rehearsals and performances for the assigned show. Student must check production calendar for conflicts and may register prior to being assigned to a show. No previous production experience necessary. Course is open to non-theatre majors/minors and repeatable for up to 3 units.
THEA 155 | THEATRE IN EDUCATION
Units: 3
This course is designed specifically for future elementary school teachers enrolled in the liberal studies major as an introduction to the use of theatre and dance in the classroom. It involves theatre and dance through form, style, history, and cultural perspectives. Students learn the structure and vocabulary of theatre and dance, as well as practical methods of application in the classroom.
THEA 201 | THE CREATIVE MIND
Units: 3
This course is designed to build the infrastructure of creative thinking through exploratory engagement with daily life and the world around us. The creative and performing arts provide models for risk taking, confidence in performance and public presentation, and reenvisioning the familiar. Students will experience problem re-framing, collaborative solutions, sensory imagery, and compassionate innovation challenges to develop a vocabulary of creative thinking that can inform artistic practice and build the skills of charismatic leadership.
THEA 205 | TECHNICAL THEATRE WITH LAB
Units: 4 Repeatability: No
This course covers the primary technical process, the behind-the-scenes work, necessary to mount a theatrical production. It involves stagecraft vocabulary, set construction, lighting and sound technology, stage management, production organization, and theatre architecture. In the technical theatre lab portion of this course, students learn how to put theory into practice in the support of the semester’s theatrical productions. It involves the construction and installation of sets, hanging and focusing lights, and the installation and configuration of the sound system. Hours outside scheduled class time will be required, including some weekends.
Core Attributes: Artistic Inquiry area
This course focuses on understanding foundational elements of theatrical design and developing the skills to translate text into visual content. It involves script analysis, research, creative exploration, and visual communication.
Core Attributes: First Yr Integration (LC Only), Artistic Inquiry area
This course examines the tradition of the actor as storyteller and challenges students to increase their ability to express their own experience and the experience of others. It involves improvisation, monologue, and scene work, technical methods in voice, physical action, and text analysis.
THEA 294 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
Units: 0.5-4 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)
Courses examining specific aspects of theatre not covered in other classes. See program listing each semester.
THEA 316 | THEATRE PRACTICUM - COSTUME PRODUCTION
Units: 1 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)
This course is for students to practice costume production skills initiated in THEA 205 – Technical Theatre. Students work in the costume shop over the course of the semester to fulfill the course requirement. Course is open to non-theatre majors/minors and repeatable for up to 3 units.
THEA 317 | THEATRE PRACTICUM - STAGECRAFT
Units: 1 Repeatability: Yes (Can be repeated for Credit)
This course is for students to practice stagecraft skills initiated in THEA 205 – Technical Theatre. Students will work in scenery, lighting and sound production. Course is open to non-theatre majors/minors and repeatable for up to 3 units.
THEA 320 | SCENIC DESIGN
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course is an advanced study of theatrical set design. It involves script analysis, research, sketching, model building, drafting and presentations. Students are required to attend theatrical productions, both on and off campus.
THEA 325 | LIGHTING AND SOUND FOR ENTERTAINMENT DESIGN
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
In this course, students will learn how to use lighting and sound to support a performance. The course covers both technical aspects of modern lighting and sound equipment as well as foundational work in principles of design to help students understand why different pieces of equipment are used and when to use them.
THEA 330 | COSTUME DESIGN
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course is an advanced study of the process of costuming a theatrical production. It involves how the social impact of clothes translates to theatrical costuming, visual and textual research, play analysis, costume history, rendering, design elements, production procedures, and collaboration with other artists.
THEA 340 | VOICE AND SPEECH
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course will integrate various vocal training approaches and methods in order to encourage vocal growth in the areas of breath support, clarity of speech, diction, and range. It is specifically designed for actors, but can benefit anyone interested in public speaking or in communicating with more clarity and confidence. It involves cultivating vocal potential and performing monologues, scenes, and poetry.
THEA 345 | PHYSICAL ACTOR
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
Through this course, students will learn physically-based performance techniques as a means to discover the body and its movement through space as an inspiration for the actor and the primary generator of meaning in theatre. Selected topics may but will not necessarily include clowning, commedia dell'arte, masks, stage combat and other approaches drawn from movement training.
THEA 360 | THEATRE HISTORY 1
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course examines the historical role of theatre in the world, exploring the roots and development of theatrical performances in a range of cultures and time periods. In addition to reading play texts, students will evaluate broad-based performance forms such as rituals and festivals as well as consider a range of performance genres from commedia dell’arte to kabuki in oral and manuscript cultures through early print cultures.
THEA 362 | THEATRE HISTORY 2
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course builds upon Theatre History 1 and examines the historical role of theatre in the world, exploring the roots and development of theatrical performances in a range of cultures and time periods. In addition to reading play texts, students will evaluate broad-based performance forms such as rituals and festivals as well as consider a range of performance genres from popular spectacles to postmodern experiments beginning in periodical print cultures and extending into electric and electronic communication cultures.
THEA 365 | PLAYWRITING
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course focuses on writing scenes and creating work in playwriting format, through reading, writing, and acting exercises. The final project is an original one-act play.
Core Attributes: Advanced Integration, Artistic Inquiry area
ENGL 367/THEA 367 is an interdisciplinary course taught in London by one faculty member from English and one from Theatre. It will introduce students to the wide diversity of London theatre in what is arguably the theatre capital of the English-speaking world. Students will read a variety of scripts and see a range of productions in an assortment of venues. In addition, students will participate in field trips designed to provide background, history and context for their theatre experience. Class discussion, two essays, field trips, the integrative core project and the final exam will underscore the interdisciplinary and integrative focus of our study. Students enrolled in ENGL 367 will satisfy core requirements for Literary Inquiry and Advanced Integration. Students enrolled in THEA 367 will satisfy core requirements for Artistic Inquiry and Advanced Integration.
Core Attributes: Advanced writing competency, Oral communication competency
This course is part of the written and oral communication competency series. As an Advanced Writing course, Performance Studies focuses on writing as a process, teaching students how to assess and conduct scholarship in the field. As an Oral Communication course, students will develop well-structured presentations that clearly and compellingly communicate a central argument, use engaging examples as well as a strong delivery. Students will explore and engage with a range of disciplinary methods for analyzing, understanding, and discussing performance in order to learn and apply critical and theoretical concepts as a means to develop skills as scholar-practitioners.
Core Attributes: Domestic Diversity level 1
This course explores the dynamic cannon of U.S. theatre literature with a focus on diversity, inclusion and social justice. Primarily a lecture based course, theatre exercises are also used as a teaching tool to foster deeper connections with the material. Student creativity is highly valued, encouraged and supported.
THEA 385 | ACTING FOR THE MUSICAL THEATRE
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course cultivates the skills of analyzing, interpreting, and performing the two primary texts of the musical theatre song: lyrics and music. By learning the performer’s mind/body connection through researching musical theatre repertoire, students ultimately are prepared for an effective musical theatre singing audition.
THEA 390 | DIRECTING AND STAGE MANAGEMENT
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course focuses on the duties of the two playmakers responsible for leading, planning, executing, and administering the collaborative processes inherent in the rehearsal and performance of theatrical production: the Director and the Stage Manager. Processes, skills, and principles introduced and developed include basic leadership principles, fundamentals of management, organizational structure, theatricality, production concept, effective communication in a collaborative setting, rehearsal etiquette and protocol, staging practice, technical rehearsals, and theatrical performance.
THEA 405 | BUSINESS OF THEATRE
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course examines the business roles and principles of theatre, both commercial and non-profit. By becoming familiar with the financial, legal, marketing , philosophical, and creative aspects of theatre companies, students will learn how to manage, form, and contribute to a career in arts-based enterprises.
THEA 435 | CLASSICAL ACTING
Units: 3 Repeatability: No
This course will focus on performing classical texts. Students will address the challenges of heightened language, rhetoric, argumentation, style, scansion, poetry, and period movement.
Core Attributes: Community Service Learning, Advanced Integration, Domestic Diversity level 2, International
This course focuses on the use of theatre and performance as a means of exploring social justice issues in partnership with community organizations. Students will engage the skills necessary for creating theatre on issues of mutual concern and collaborate in multiple and variable levels of the artistic creation. This class culminates in the staging of a final theatrical event. Fulfills: AI (Advanced Integration) and DISJ2 (Diversity Inclusion & Social Justice Level 2).
THEA 494 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE
Units: 0.5-4 Repeatability: Yes (Repeatable if topic differs)
Courses examining specific aspects of theatre not covered in other classes. See program listing each semester.
Department of Theatre
College of Arts and Sciences
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5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110