About the Major in Theatre
The BA in Theatre seeks to provide a solid Theatre Generalist foundation that combines the philosophical with the practical, placing a unique emphasis on student-generated work. Rigorous course work, coupled with practical application in production, prepares students to take the next step in their career, whether that be academic or professional.
A professionally active faculty, strong classes, internships, and an active production program all help to prepare students for the theatre of the 21st century. The UofSC Aiken Theatre Program enriches the cultural life of the community through the presentation of a variety of theatrical productions. Various acting styles, design theories, and new technologies are studied in the class room and applied to the department’s productions.
This production-oriented program produces at least four shows a year: two of which are fully realized faculty-directed main stage productions, and two are student-driven laboratory productions. Additionally, students participate in an annual Cabaret Showcase.
Students will take foundations courses in Acting, Theatrical Production, Stage Management, Design, Directing, and Theatre History. Students may also choose from a range of courses including, but not limited to, advanced acting, dance, set design, lighting design, costume design, stage makeup, voice for the theatre, movement, playrighting, theatre history, and theatre management. Theatre studies will culminate with capstone projects designed to master skills.
Degree Requirements for the BA in Theatre
The chart below details all of the courses needed for successful completion of the BA in Theatre.
General Education Requirements (51-52 Hours) |
|
|
A. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World |
32-34 Hours |
|
Natural Sciences (1 Course with Lab) Choose from Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics |
7-8 Hours |
|
History of Civilization Choose from HIST A101 or HIST A102 |
3 Hours |
|
Social and Behavioral Sciences Choose from Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Psychology, or Sociology |
6 Hours |
|
Languages Two courses in the same language. Choose from French, German, or Spanish |
6-8 Hours |
|
Humanities Choose from at least two of the following areas: Art History, Foreign Language, History, Honors, Humanities, Literature, Music History, Philosophy, Religion, or Theatre History
|
9 Hours |
|
B. Intellectual and Practical Skills |
15 Hours |
|
English (ENGL A101 and ENGL A102) |
6 Hours |
|
Oral Communication Choose from COMM A201 or COMM A241 |
3 Hours |
|
Math/Statistics/Logic (MATH A102 and MATH A103) |
6 Hours |
|
Satisfactory completion of the Writing Proficiency Portfolio |
|
|
Satisfactory completion of three courses designated as Writing Intensive, at least one of which is in the student’s major |
|
|
C. Personal and Social Responsibility |
3 Hours |
|
American Political Institutions Choose from HIST A201, HIST A202, or POLI 201 |
3 Hours |
|
Inter-Curricular Enrichment Program (ICE) |
|
Major Requirements (45 Hours) |
|
|
A. Foundations in Theatre |
21 Hours |
|
Exploring Connections THEA A151, THEA A170, and THEA A358 Choose one design course: THEA A353, THEA A354, or THEA A357 |
12 Hours |
|
Theatre and the World THEA A161 and THEA A361 Choose one of the following: THEA A362 or THEA A363 |
9 Hours |
|
B. Applications |
18 Hours |
|
Choose 6 one-hour labs THEA A220, A221, A222, A223, A224, A227, A228, A229 Two must be from (A221, A223, A227) May repeat 2 labs |
6 Hours |
|
Theatre Studio Courses Choose from the following: THEA A270, THEA A274, THEA A281, THEA A370, additional design courses, THEA A372, THEA A374, THEA A378, THEA A379, THEA A398, THEA A399, THEA A451, THEA A465,THEA A522, THEA A526, THEA A529, THEA A 570 |
9 Hours |
|
Directing THEA A478 |
3 Hours |
|
C. Capstone Experience THEA A575, THEA A576, or THEA A596 (directed internship) |
6 Hours |
|
Cognate or Minor |
12-18 Hours |
|
Electives |
5-12 Hours |
| Total Hours Required |
120 Hours |
Curriculum Map for the BA in Theatre
The curriculum map below shows a recommended course schedule for theatre students during their four years of study at UofSC Aiken.
Year 1
| Course | Credit Hours |
|
Fall |
|
|
ENGL A101 |
3 Hours |
|
Math |
3 Hours |
|
General Education – Social Science |
3 Hours |
|
THEA A161 |
3 Hours |
|
THEA A170 |
3 Hours |
| Total Semester Hours | 15 Hours |
|
Spring |
|
|
ENGL A102 |
3 Hours |
|
Math |
3 Hours |
|
General Education – Humanities (THEA A361, A362, A363, A364) |
3 Hours |
|
HIST A101 or HIST A102 |
3 Hours |
|
THEA A151 |
3 Hours |
|
THEA lab A220-A229 |
1 Hour |
| Total Semester Hours | 16 Hours |
Year 2
| Course | Credit Hours |
|
Fall |
|
|
Foreign Language |
4 Hours |
|
General Education – Social Science (nonwestern) |
3 Hours |
|
Elective |
2 Hours |
|
COMM A201 or A241 |
3 Hours |
|
THEA A358 OR THEA A353, A354, A357 |
3 Hours |
|
THEA lab A220-A229 |
1 Hour |
| Total Semester Hours | 16 Hours |
|
Spring |
|
|
Foreign Language |
4 Hours |
|
General Education – Humanities |
3 Hours |
|
General Education – Political Science |
3 Hours |
|
THEA Elective |
3 Hours |
|
THEA Elective (200 or higher) |
3 Hours |
|
THEA lab A220-A229 |
1 Hour |
| Total Semester Hours | 17 Hours |
Year 3
| Course | Credit Hours |
|
Fall |
|
|
Natural Science |
4 Hours |
|
General Education – Humanities (THEA A362 or THEA A363 (WI) or THEA 364) |
3 Hours |
|
THEA A358 OR THEA A353, A354, A357 |
3 Hours |
|
Minor or Cognate |
3 Hours |
|
Minor or Cognate |
1 Hour |
|
THEA lab A220-A229 |
1 Hour |
| Total Semester Hours | 17 Hours |
|
Spring |
|
|
Natural Science |
4 Hours |
|
THEA A478 –or theatre elective |
3 Hours |
|
THEA Elective (300 or higher) |
3 Hours |
|
Minor or Cognate |
3 Hours |
|
THEA lab A220-A229 |
1 Hour |
| Total Semester Hours | 14 Hours |
Year 4
| Course | Credit Hours |
|
Fall |
|
|
Theatre Elective (300 or higher) |
3 Hours |
|
THEA A575, A576, or A596 |
3 Hours |
|
Minor or Cognate |
3 Hours |
|
Minor or General Elective |
3 Hours |
|
THEA lab A220-A229 |
1 Hour |
| Total Semester Hours | 13 Hours |
|
Spring |
|
|
Theatre Elective or THEA 478 |
3 Hours |
|
THEA A575, A576, or A596 |
3 Hours |
|
Minor or Cognate |
3 Hours |
|
Minor or General Elective |
3 Hours |
| Total Semester Hours | 12 Hours |