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.

The department has prepared a suggested Four Year Advising Plan to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major adviser or view it and other current advising information on the CSU, Chico Web.

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. The course requirements marked below with an asterisk (*) may also be applied toward General Education.

Cultural Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See “Cultural Diversity” in The University Catalog. Most courses used to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.

American Institutions Requirement: 6 units

See the “American Institutions Requirement” under “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.” This requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 050 and POLS 055. Courses used to satisfy this requirement do not apply to General Education.

Literacy Requirement:

See “Mathematics 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 better to receive WP credit. See The Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 50 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.

DEGREE PROGRAM CORE: 29 units

13 courses required:

THEA    010    Theatre Forum    1.0    FA

THEA    060    Acting    3.0    FS *

THEA    065    Textual Analysis for Production    3.0    FA

THEA    070    Stagecraft    2.0    FS

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in THEA 173.

THEA    072    Make-Up    2.0    FS

THEA    073    Costume Crafts    2.0    SP

THEA    163    Costume Theatre Performance    1.0    FS

THEA    165    History of Theatre I    3.0    FA

THEA    166    History of Theatre II    3.0    SP

THEA    173    Technical Theatre Performance    1.0    FS

THEA    180    Directing I    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: THEA 060; THEA 070.

THEA    264    Development of Drama    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.

THEA    290    Senior Project Showcase    2.0    SP

Prerequisites: Senior status and permission of instructor.

Advising Pattern Course Requirements: 21 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required depending upon the advising pattern chosen. Students must select one of the following advising patterns for completion of the major course requirements.

GENERAL PATTERN: 21 units

5 courses required:

THEA    071    Theatre Graphics    2.0    FA

THEA    076    Lighting for Stage/Television    3.0    FA

This course is the same as CDES 076 which may be substituted.

THEA    095    Movement for Actors    2.0    FA

THEA    151    Musical Theatre I    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.

THEA    171A    Theatre Costume I    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in THEA 163.

8 units selected from:

THEA    061    Intro to the Theatre    3.0    FS *

THEA    096    Acting for Television    3.0    SP

This course is the same as CDES 096 which may be substituted.

THEA    101    Theatre Workshop    2.0    FS

THEA    124    Children’s Lit in Performance    3.0    FS

This course is the same as THEA 024 which may be substituted.

THEA    160    Intermediate Acting I    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: THEA 060 required; THEA 090 and THEA 095 recommended.

THEA    170    Stage Lighting    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: THEA 071; THEA 076. Concurrent enrollment in THEA 173 is recommended.

THEA    172    Advanced Make-Up    2.0    SP

Prerequisites: THEA 072.

THEA    267    One Acts Production Seminar    2.0    SP

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

THEA    270    Technical Theatre Seminar    2.0    FS

Prerequisites: THEA 070 or faculty permission.

NOTE: THEA 101, THEA 102, THEA 162, THEA 163, THEA 168, and THEA 173 may be repeated for credit, but only a maximum of 6 units in these courses may be counted toward the major.

PERFORMANCE PATTERN: 21 units

5 courses required:

THEA    047    Mime I    3.0    SP

THEA    090    Voice for Performance    2.0    FS

THEA    095    Movement for Actors    2.0    FA

THEA    160    Intermediate Acting I    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: THEA 060 required; THEA 090 and THEA 095 recommended.

THEA    190    Advanced Voice for Performance    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: THEA 060, THEA 090, and THEA 160.

8 units selected from:

THEA    096    Acting for Television    3.0    SP

This course is the same as CDES 096 which may be substituted.

THEA    101    Theatre Workshop    2.0    FS

THEA    151    Musical Theatre I    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.

THEA    162    Acting Theatre Performance    1.0    FS

THEA    168    Dance Theatre Workshop    1.0    FS

THEA    261A    Adv Act: Audition/Improvisation    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: THEA 060; THEA 160.

THEA    261B    Adv Act: Styles Musical Theatre    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: THEA 060; THEA 160.

THEA    267    One Acts Production Seminar    2.0    SP

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.

TECHNICAL DESIGN PATTERN: 21 units

5 courses required:

THEA    071    Theatre Graphics    2.0    FA

THEA    076    Lighting for Stage/Television    3.0    FA

This course is the same as CDES 076 which may be substituted.

THEA    170    Stage Lighting    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: THEA 071; THEA 076. Concurrent enrollment in THEA 173 is recommended.

THEA    171A    Theatre Costume I    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in THEA 163.

THEA    174    Computer-Aided Design/Theatre    3.0    SP

Prerequisites: THEA 070; THEA 071.

7 units selected from:

THEA    101    Theatre Workshop    2.0    FS

THEA    151    Musical Theatre I    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: ENGL 001 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.

THEA    171B    Theatre Costume II    3.0    SP

THEA    172    Advanced Make-Up    2.0    SP

Prerequisites: THEA 072.

THEA    176    Lighting for Interior Design    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: One of the following: ART 041, CM 091, or THEA 071.

THEA    270    Technical Theatre Seminar    2.0    FS

Prerequisites: THEA 070 or faculty permission.

THEA    271    Costume Design    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: THEA 171A or THEA 171B or faculty permission.

THEA    272    Stage Design    3.0    FA

Prerequisites: THEA 071 or faculty permission.

THEA    273    Seminar in Costuming    2.0    FA

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor’s degree, select additional elective courses from the total university offerings. You should consult with an adviser regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your university experience and apply to a supportive second major or minor.

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 adviser for specific information.

Honors in the Major

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

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. Most importantly, however, 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 competition in shows; such experience is valuable for graduate school and later professional life.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. At least 3 of these 6 units are independent study (299H) 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 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 percent of majors in your department.
4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5 percent 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 adviser for further information.