Theatre Arts, BA

The Theatre Major, offered by the Department of Film and Theatre , emphasizes a strong foundation in acting, directing, writing, design and entertainment technologies. Theatre Arts students study the history and practices of theatre with a particular emphasis on the interrelationship between theatre and contemporary performance culture. Once students complete the required, well-rounded base of core courses, students can then choose to focus more specifically with the program’s elective specialization areas.

Program Learning Outcomes

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements	35
Major Preparation	9
Major Requirements	51
University Electives	25
Total	120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

University Requirements

Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Core Lower Division General Education (21 units)

Of the 39 units required by the university, 18 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3 or B4 must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with major advisor for details.

Note: Students who have completed the ADT Transfer degree (under SB 1440) for this major will have completed all lower division GE requirements and should follow the 60 unit guarantee roadmap. Meet with an advisor prior to registering for your first semester for the 60 unit roadmap or specific questions.

Upper Division General Education (6 units)

Of the 9 units required by the university, 3 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)

Complete one 6 unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) and Humanities Honors (HUM 1A /HUM 1B /HUM 2A /HUM 2B ; 24 units) sequences satisfy the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see the course description for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education (2 units)

All SJSU undergraduate students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in physical activities. To accommodate students’ needs and interests, the university offers a diverse selection of activity courses .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

At SJSU, students must pass both the SJSU Writing Skills Test (WST) and a 100W course. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found at Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .

A grade of C or better (C- not accepted) is required to meet graduation requirement.

Major Preparation (9 units)

TA 5 - Acting 3 unit(s) (C1)
TA 100W - Writing Workshop: Theatre Arts 3 unit(s) (Z)
TA 127 - Contemporary Theatre 3 unit(s) (V)

Major Requirements (51 units)

Core Courses (39 units)

TA 11 - Script Analysis 3 unit(s)
TA 17 - Intermediate Acting 3 unit(s)
TA 51A - Scenery and Props for the Performing Arts 1 unit(s)
TA 51B - Costume for the Performing Arts 1 unit(s)
TA 51C - Lighting & Sound for the Performing Arts 1 unit(s)
TA 55 - Intro to Design for Theatre 3 unit(s) (C1)
TA 116 - Directing 3 unit(s)
TA 120 - Theatre History 3 unit(s) OR
TA 121 - Topics in Performance History
3 unit(s)
TA 128 - Introduction to Playwriting 3 unit(s)
TA 153 - Costume Design for Performing Arts 3 unit(s) OR
TA 154 - Scenic Design for Performing Arts
3 unit(s)
TA 170A - Introduction to Acting and Directing for the Camera 3 unit(s)
TA 198 - Internship 3 unit(s)

Complete a combination of 9 units:

Complete a combination of 9 units from (at least 3 unit must be TA 191 ):

TA 117 - Practice in Acting or Directing 1-3 unit(s) (3 units required)
TA 191 - Activity Projects in Theatre Production 1-3 unit(s) (3 units required)

Major Electives (12 units)

TA 10 - Theatre Appreciation 3 unit(s) (C1)
TA 13 - Great Comedies for Theatre 3 unit(s) (C2)
TA 48 - Voice & Movement for the Actor 3 unit(s) (E)
TA 64 - Make-up for Performing Arts 3 unit(s)
TA 91 - Scenic Painting & Props 1-3 unit(s) (3 units required)
TA 103 - Musical Theatre 3 unit(s)
TA 110 - Advanced Acting 3 unit(s)
TA 112 - Rehearsal and Performance 3 unit(s)
TA 113 - Acting and Professional Career Prep 3 unit(s)
TA 117 - Practice in Acting or Directing 1-3 unit(s)
TA 121 - Topics in Performance History 3 unit(s)
TA 129 - Advanced Playwriting 3 unit(s)
TA 131 - Storytelling 3 unit(s)
TA 148 - Voice & Movement for Performance 3 unit(s)
TA 151 - Lighting Design for Performing Arts 3 unit(s)
TA 153 - Costume Design for Performing Arts 3 unit(s)
TA 154 - Scenic Design for Performing Arts 3 unit(s)
TA 158 - Model Making & Drafting Film & Theatre 3 unit(s)
TA 161 - Theatre Design Topics 3 unit(s)
TA 168 - Stage Management 3 unit(s)
TA 170A - Introduction to Acting and Directing for the Camera 3 unit(s)
TA 170B - Advanced Acting and Directing for the Camera 3 unit(s)
TA 180 - Individual Studies 1-3 unit(s)
TA 191 - Activity Projects in Theatre Production 1-3 unit(s)
TA 199H - Honors Program 2-3 unit(s)

About

Theatre Arts, BA

University Requirements

Core Lower Division General Education (21 units)

Upper Division General Education (6 units)

American Institutions (6 units)

African American Studies (6 units)

Asian American Studies (6 units)

Chicana and Chicano Studies (6 units)

U.S. History and Government (6 units)