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

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.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3A, 3B, 4, UD 3, or UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 units (see Writing in the Disciplines)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division General Education: 25 (3 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

American Institutions/ US123 Requirements: 6 (Note: may be satisfied by GE coursework)

Upper Division General Education: 6 (3 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

Physical Education: 2

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR): 0 (3 units may be satisfied by TA 100W)

Lower Division Humanities & the Arts College Requirement: 3

Upper Division Humanities & the Arts College Requirement: 2-4

Major Requirements: 48

University Electives: 26-28

Total: 120

2. Lower Division College of Humanities & the Arts Requirement (3 units):

3. Upper Division College of Humanities & the Arts Requirement (2-4 units):

Complete a course offered by the College of Humanities & the Arts in a discipline other than your major.

4. Major Requirements (48 units)

Core Courses (30 units)

Choose one of the following Introductory courses (C1) based on your interest: TA 5 OR TA 55
TA 11 Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism
TA 17 Intermediate Acting
Choose three of the following Stagecraft Fundamental courses (3 units)- to be taken in the same semester: TA 51A , TA 51B ,TA 51C , TA 51D (Spring only)
Choose one of the following courses (3 units): TA 116 OR TA 128
TA 120 World Theatre I
TA 121 World Theatre II
Choose one of the following Design courses (3 units): TA 151 , TA 153 , TA 154 ,
TA 170A Introduction to Acting and Directing for the Camera
TA 198 Internship

Required Participation in Department Play or Musical Courses (9 units)

Theatre majors are required to take 9 units of upper-division courses that participate in a production at SJSU. Of those 9 units, 3 units need to be TA 191 (Production Workshop).

TA 191 Theatre Production Workshop
Choose 2 of the following courses (6 units):

Major Electives (9 units)

TA 5 - Beginning Acting 3 unit(s)
(if not taken above)
TA 10 - Theatre Appreciation 3 unit(s) (GE Area 3A / Formerly Area C1)
TA 13 - Great Comedies for Theatre 3 unit(s) (GE Area 3B / Formerly Area C2)
TA 48 - Voice & Movement for the Actor 3 unit(s)
TA 55 - Intro to Design for the Performing Arts 3 unit(s) (if not taken above) (GE Area 3A / Formerly C1)
TA 64 - Make-up for Performing Arts 3 unit(s)
TA 91 - Scenic Painting & Props 1-3 unit(s) (Spring only)
TA 100W - Writing Workshop: Theatre Arts 3 unit(s)
TA 103 - Musical Theatre 3 unit(s) (Repeatable for credit up to 6 units)
TA 110 - Advanced Acting 3 unit(s)
TA 112 - Rehearsal and Performance 3 unit(s)
(Repeatable for credit)
TA 113 - Acting and Professional Career Prep 3 unit(s)
TA 116 - Introduction to Stage Directing 3 unit(s) (Spring only) (if note taken above)
TA 117 - Practice in Acting or Directing 1-3 unit(s) (Repeatable for credit)
TA 127 - Contemporary Theatre and Performance Arts 3 unit(s) (GE UD Area 3 / Formerly Area V)
TA 128 - Introduction to Playwriting 3 unit(s) (Fall only) (if not taken above)
TA 129 - Advanced Playwriting 3 unit(s) (Spring only)
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) (Spring only) (if note taken above)
TA 153 - Costume Design for Performing Arts 3 unit(s) (Spring only) (if note taken above)
TA 154 - Scenic Design for Performing Arts 3 unit(s) (Fall only) (if not taken above)
TA 158 - Model Making & Drafting Film & Theatre 3 unit(s)
TA 161 - Theatre Design Topics 3 unit(s)
TA 167 - Theatre in Education 3 unit(s)
TA 168 - Stage Management 3 unit(s) (Repeatable for up to 6 units)
TA 170B - Advanced Acting and Directing for the Camera 3 unit(s)
TA 180 - Individual Studies 1-3 unit(s)
TA 191 - Theatre Production Workshop 3 unit(s) (Repeatable for credit)
TA 199H - Honors Program 2-3 unit(s)

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