New Theatre Curriculum Model

OVERALL CONCEPT
(approved 11/04/08)

In this model, all of our theatre courses would be sorted into four levels.  Each of the levels would address the six learning outcomes, with each level addressing them in a more advanced, detailed way than the previous level.

Level 1:  Students would be introduced to the three major elements of theatre:  1) the text and the ideas it expresses; 2) the stage environment, including all the major visual and aural elements; 3) the actor’s body that conveys the ideas of the text within the stage environment.  Courses at this level would focus on developing the students’ abilities to conceptualize the way theatre makes meaning.  They would also focus on teaching students how to understand and evaluate what they experience as observers and participants, beyond the “I liked it” stage.  The core courses at this level would need to be carefully coordinated in order to effectively integrate the material without redundancy.  The central question of this level might be: “What is theatre and how does it make meaning?”

Level 2:   Students would learn techniques and knowledge that will allow them to create the theatre they conceptualize. The central question of this level might be:  “How is theatre made and what do I need to know to make it and analyze it?”

Level 3:  Students would learn advanced techniques and knowledge and apply them to the performances they create.  The central question of this level might be: “How do I apply what I know to the processes of making collaborative theatre and analyzing performance?”

Level 4:  Students would continue to learn advanced techniques and knowledge and apply them to the performances they create and also reflect upon their own artistic practice.   The central question of this level might be:  “How do I develop my own artistic style, collaborative approach, and analytical perspective?”

LEARNING OUTCOMES
(Approved Spring 08)

Outcome 1:  Use appropriate techniques and technology in creative processes

Outcome 2:  Conduct, analyze, and apply in-depth research when interpreting, writing, and producing a creative product

Outcome 3:   Interpret forms of creative expression within various theoretical frameworks and real-world contexts and articulate those interpretations in written and oral form (note that this is asking them to interpret the creative expressions of others, not their own)

Outcome 4:  Examine and evaluate how personal, historical, and cultural perspectives of self and others affect the creative process and reception of creative products

Outcome 5:  Communicate effectively using verbal and non-verbal communication tools suitable to topic, purpose, and audience within
collaborative processes (note the last three words—this is about communication in the collaborative process, not in other contexts)

Outcome 6:  Solve problems within a creative process (note that, unlike outcome five, this is within a creative process rather than a collaborative process, so it could apply to individual course projects)

 

CORE COURSES
Required for all theatre majors (28 credits)
(Approved 11/25/08)

Level One

• THR 2005 Page and Stage (3 cr)           
• THR 2007 The Actor (3 cr)
• THR 2009 The Stage Environment (3 cr)

Level Two

• THR 3730 Early Theatre History and Literature  (3 cr)
• THR 2620 Acting I:  Fundamentals (3 cr)
• THR 2101  Production running crew (0-1 cr)
• Choose two of the following three courses (each includes 20 hours of shop work):
• THR 2220 Theatrical Costume (3cr)
• THR 2230 Scenery & Properties (3cr)
• THR 2240 Lighting & Sound (3cr)

Level Three

•  THR 3735 Modern Theatre History and Literature (Junior Writing in the Major Course) (3 cr)

Level Four

• THR 4840 Capstone course (3 cr)