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The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

See General Education Requirements in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See "Diversity Requirement" in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education Requirements.

U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals: 6 units

See "U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals" under "Bachelor's Degree Requirements". This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155 or approved equivalents. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.

Literacy Requirement:

See Math and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 50 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option or advising pattern, are outlined following the major core program requirements.

Laptop Requirement

To complete this program, the student must have the use of a laptop computer. Please consult with the department for current hardware and software requirements. Students qualify to receive special education discounts on computers and software sold through the Associated Students Bookstore (an Apple authorized campus store). For some programs, in an effort to lower student expenses, bundles consisting of a specially priced Apple laptop computer with the program's required software will be made available at the beginning of each academic year through the Associated Students Bookstore. This laptop computer package is expected to serve the student for the entire length of the program.

Degree Program Core: 23 units

8 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
THEA 100 Theatre Forum   1.0 FA  
This course is an introduction and orientation to the Theatre Department and to the profession of the theatre in all its many manifestations. The main focus of the course, which is team-taught by several faculty and staff, is to provide students with information they need to take fullest advantage of their education at the University. 2 hours activity. (009503)
THEA 150 Foundations of Drama   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: Declared Theatre or Musical Theatre major or minor.
 Corequisites: THEA 150X.
This course provides an overview of the essential history, major dramatic forms, representative plays and fundamental aesthetic principles of the theatre. 3 hours lecture. (015862)
THEA 150X Theatrical Readings   2.0 FA  
Corequisites: THEA 150.
Selected readings from major actors, directors, designers, critics, and other theatre artists provide additional context and background for THEA 150, THEA 160, and THEA 170. 2 hours seminar. (020204)
THEA 160 Foundations of Acting   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Declared Theatre or Musical Theatre major or minor.
This studio course introduces the basic principles and practices of acting craft in the areas of script analysis, movement, voice/speech, acting technique, and rehearsal methods. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (015858)
THEA 170 Foundations of Design   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Declared Theatre or Musical Theatre major or minor.
This studio course introduces the basic principles and practices of theatre design in the areas of script analysis, scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (015860)
THEA 250 Textual Analysis for Production   3.0 FA  
Prerequisites: For Theatre and Musical Theatre majors: THEA 150; for Theatre minors and all others: THEA 110.
A course in the principles and methods employed by directors, designers, and actors to comprehend dramatic literature as scripts for theatrical performance. 3 hours lecture. (009513)
THEA 350 History of Modern Theatre   3.0 SP  GW
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.
 Corequisites: Concurrent enrollment in THEA 350X is required.
The development of physical theatres, scenery, costuming, acting, directing, playwriting, and business procedures from the nineteeth century through today. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. (009232)
THEA 350X Readings in Dramatic Literature   1.0 SP  
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.
 Corequisites: Concurrent enrollment in THEA 350 is required.
Reading and discussion of selected plays compliment the study topics of Theatre History. 1 hour lecture. (009233)

Rehearsal/Acting Practica: 2 units

2 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
THEA 201 Theatre Rehearsal I   1.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Audition or permission of instructor.
Applied study and practice of script analysis, acting techniques, and other theatre performance skills through preparation and performance of a smaller role in a department production or other approved activity. 2 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (009229)
THEA 202 Musical Theatre Rehearsal I   1.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Audition or permission of instructor.
Applied study and practice of script analysis, acting, singing, and other musical theatre performance skills through preparation and performance of a smaller role in a department production or other approved activity. 2 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (015863)
THEA 203 Dance Theatre Rehearsal I   1.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Audition or permission of instructor.
Applied study and practice of dance techniques through preparation and performance of smaller ensemble roles or a single featured role in original choreography for Chico Dance Theatre, department musical productions, or other approved activities. 2 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (009525)

Technical Theatre Practica: 2 units

2 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
THEA 204 Costume Practice I   1.0 FS  
Applied study of costume and makeup practices through participaton in costume construction and on wardrobe and makeup crews for department productions or other approved activities. 2 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (009230)
THEA 205 Scene/Light Practice I   1.0 FS  
Applied study of scenic, lighting, and other technical theatre practices through participation in scenery construction and painting, and on lighting, sound, and stage crews for department productions or other approved activities. 2 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (009238)
THEA 206 Production Assistant I   1.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Audition or permission of instructor.
Applied study of theatre production practices through participation in a department production as an assistant stage manager or as an assistant to the director or designer or other approved activity. 1 hour activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (009546)

Note: No more than 6 units of practica may be counted toward degree requirements.

Electives Requirement: 27 units

27 units selected from:

Any Theatre (THEA) courses, selected in consultation with a faculty advisor. A minimum of 8 units of electives must be upper division. No more than six units of practica may be counted toward degree requirements.

Special Theatre Requirements

Students must participate in auditions for all Theatre productions or make portfolio presentations. Enrollment in THEA 401, THEA 402, THEA 406, THEA 460, THEA 470 and participation in production assignment(s) are determined by satisfactory completion of audition and portfolio presentations each semester.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

  1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
  2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
  3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
  4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
  5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
  6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.

Catalog Cycle:11