Curriculum
A program intent on exploration, EMU Theater recently evolved its curriculum into an adventurous model that we hope will serve as a model for other theater departments of faith and adventure. Some new courses allow students to form a theater troupe over the course of a semester, crafting their own original piece through collaborative work.
Other classes range widely across the history of dramatic literature, pulling theatrical works as varied as the medieval mystery plays and contemporary Native American theater under our exacting lens. Moreover, we at EMU share a desire to discover stirring works through our faith in our new Mission Courses, classes that charge both old and new works with a passion rare in its commitment and scope.
Major | Double Majors | Minor
Major in Theater
The major consists of a minimum of 41 semester hours of coursework and practica culminating in a senior project. Required for all theatre majors:
Core Courses (13 SH)
- THR 101 Introduction to the Theatre Arts (3 SH)
- *THR 232 Vocations in Theater (1 SH)
- *THR 241 Stage Design and Technology (3 SH)
- *THR 301 Global Theater (3 SH)
- THR 471/2 Senior Project Practicum (3 SH)
Mission (Two courses are required – 2-4 SH)
- *THR 111 Theatre and Faith (1 SH)
- *THR 281 Theatre and Justice (3 SH)
Theatre History (6 SH)
- *THR 391 History and Traditions of Western Theatre I (3 SH)
- *THR 422 History and Traditions of Western Theatre II (3 SH)
Performance (6 SH)
- THR 181/2 Acting I (3 SH)
- *THR 321 Voice and Movement OR
- THR 352 Acting II (3 SH)
Practica (9 SH): Choose from two or more of the following areas of practical learning through participation in theater productions.
- THR 261/2 Performance Practicum (1-3 SH)
- THR 271/2 Technical Theater Practicum (1-3 SH)
- THR 361/2 Stage Management Practicum (1-3 SH)
- THR 451/2 Directing Practicum (1-3 SH)
Electives (3-6 SH): Choose a minimum of 3 SH of additional electives.
- *ENG 262 Introduction to Drama (3 SH)
- ENG 361 Shakespeare (3 SH)
- *THR 251 Technical Theater and Stage Management (3 SH)
- *THR 292 Collective Theatre (3 SH)
- *THR 311 Directing for the Theater (3 SH)
- *THR 342 Playwriting and Criticism (3 SH)
- *THR 482 Topics in Theater (3 SH)
Double Majors
The theater program at EMU allows for creative scheduling so students with overlapping interests can explore other areas. A concentration in theater enhances other fields as double majors or a major/minor combination:
- Theater/Communication (photography and videography, graphic and web design, and journalism)
- Theater/English (dramatic writing, literature, criticism, and teaching)
- Theater/Business (careers in theater management and the business of entertainment)
- Theater/Secondary Education (high school drama teacher)
- Theater/Bible (enhancing church ministry)
- Theater/Recreation (church camp and youth ministries)
- Theater/Psychology (drama therapy and counseling) and
- Theater/Justice, Peace, and Conflict Studies (community empowerment through theater)
Minor in Theater
The theatre minor is designed to work in partnership with other programs such as education; communication; liberal arts, justice, peace and conflict studies; and ministry. The minor is a minimum of 16 SH consisting of a required core course, one mission course, a theatre history course, one performance course, and an elective, with an additional 3 SH practicum.
Core Course (3 SH)
- THR 101 Introduction to the Theater Arts (3 SH)
Mission (1-3 SH): Choose one of the following courses
- *THR 111 Theatre & Faith (1 SH)
- *THR 281 Theatre & Justice (3 SH)
Theatre History (3 SH): Choose one of the following courses
- *THR 391 History and Traditions of Western Theater I (3 SH)
- *THR 422 History and Traditions of Western Theater II (3 SH)
Performance (3 SH)
- THR 181/2 Acting I (3 SH)
Practica (3 SH): Choose from one of the following areas of practical learning through participation in theater productions.
- THR 261/2 Performance Practicum (1-3 SH)
- THR 271/2 Technical Theater Practicum (1-3 SH)
Electives (3 SH): Choose one of the following courses
- *ENG 262 Introduction to Drama (3 SH)
- ENG 361 Shakespeare (3 SH)
- *THR 241 Stage Design and Technology (3 SH)
- *THR 251 Technical Theater and Stage Management (3 SH)
- *THR 301 Global Theater (3 SH)
- *THR 311 Directing for the Theater (3 SH)
- *THR 342 Playwriting and Criticism (3 SH)
- *THR 382 Topics in Theater (3 SH)
