Theatre Arts Major: General Emphasis - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)

Students enrolling in a theatre major must complete the theatre arts major core requirements and one area of emphasis. This requirement does not apply to the theatre major: musical theatre emphasis.

Core requirements (22 credits)

Required Courses
THA 210Foundations of Theatrical Production3
THA 220Acting I: Fundamentals3
THA 231Stagecraft3
THA 250Theatre Studies I: Antiquity to the 18th Century3
THA 350Theatre Studies II: 19th Century to the Present3
THA 360Theatre Arts Practicum 11-3
Elective
Select one course from the following: 23
Multicultural U.S. Drama and Theory
Dramatic Literature and Theatre Arts
History of Music Theatre
World Theatre
Dramaturgy
Costume Design/History
Capstone
THA 490Capstone Project in Theatre Arts3
Total Credits22
1

Theatre arts activities requirement. Required every semester, except in the semester THA 490 is taken.

2

A course used to satisfy the core's elective requirement may not also count toward another requirement in any theatre arts emphasis area major. 

Theatre arts activities requirement

THA 360 Theatre Arts Practicum required every semester, except when completing THA 490 Capstone Project in Theatre Arts

General emphasis (18 credits)

Select nine credits of the performance area and nine credits of the design/technical area:18
Multicultural U.S. Drama and Theory
Dramatic Literature and Theatre Arts
Voice and Movement for the Stage
Costume Crafts
Rendering for Theatre
Stage Makeup
Stage Management for the Arts
The Singer/Actor
Acting II: Characterization
Acting III: Styles
Scene Painting
Theatre Technology
Scenery Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Sound Recording and Engineering
World Theatre
Scriptwriting
Directing
Performance Studio
Acting IV: Audition Techniques
Costume Design/History
Internship in Theatre Arts
Playwriting
Theatre Management
Advanced Studies in Arts Administration
Independent Study
Special Topics Theatre Arts
Total Credits18

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR. 

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Arts core requirements

The CASSH core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the requirements of general education. Students may select from courses offered by the full range of academic departments within the college according to their interests. The college core allows students to build their critical thinking, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and global competencies through in-depth exploration of topics of their choosing.

The following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:

  1. Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
  2. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  3. Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
  4. At least one course in the degree must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
  5. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
  6. Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.

Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).

Bachelor of Arts students declare one of the following tracks online via the CASSH website:

A. Language track
  1. Native speakers of English complete:
    Select one of the following:
    Intermediate Arabic II
    Chinese Language and Culture in Action II
    French Language and Cultures in Action II
    Intermediate Languages II
    German Language and Cultures in Action II
    Hmong Heritage Language: Intermediate
    Hmong Heritage Language: Advanced
    Intermediate Japanese II
    Russian Language and Cultures in Action II
    Spanish Language and Cultures in Action II
    Introduction to Spanish for the Health Professions
    Non-native speakers of English: provide English proficiency evidence acceptable for admission to UWL as a degree seeking student.
  2. Two additional courses outside of the student's major in two of the following: humanities, social sciences or fine arts.
B. Humanities track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: communication studies, English, history, philosophy and race, gender, and sexuality studies (see the Advisement Report (AR) for a listing of the approved courses); and
  3. One additional course in social sciences or fine arts.
C. Fine arts track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: art, music, theatre; and
  3. One additional course in social sciences or humanities.
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or individualized option by satisfying one of the following:
  1. Complete a minor (or two certificates with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level or a second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
  2. Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or
  3. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department. The remaining six credits may consist of:

    1. 100 level or higher courses outside the major (general education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements); or

    2. 300/400 level courses inside the major department not being used to fulfill major requirements.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
THA 2103THA 2203
THA 3601THA 3601
CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3
Gen Ed Math4Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3102+ Level Gen Ed/VPA Core Language13-4
 THA 110 (Gen Ed Arts)2
 14 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
THA 3601THA 3601
Gen Ed Minority Cultures3THA 2313
Minor Course3Minor Course3
Gen Ed Natural Lab Science4Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3
Theatre Performance Elective (see list)3VPA Core Course3
 University Elective3
 14 16
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
THA 3601THA 130 (Gen Ed Self & Society & Theatre Design/Technical Elective)3
VPA Core Course3THA 3601
Theatre Performance Elective (see list)3THA Core Elective3
Minor Course3University Elective3
THA 2503VPA Core Course3
Minor Course3Gen Ed Arts (not from THA)2
 16 15
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
THA 3601THA 4903
Theatre Design/Technical 300/400-Level Elective (see list)3VPA Core Diversity Course3
Minor Course3Theatre Performance 300/400-level Elective (see list)3
THA 3503Minor Course3
University Elective2THA 351 (Gen Ed Global Studies & Theatre Design/Technical Elective)3
Gen Ed World History3 
 15 15
Total Credits: 120

Some THA courses are only offered every odd or even numbered year. Please plan accordingly.

1

VPA Core Humanities and Fine Arts Tracks require 102+ level language. VPA Core Language Track requires 202 level language. Students unprepared for 202 level will need to complete prerequisite course work.