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Course Listings
Theater
A major and a minor in Theater are available. See also the Music Theater minor. Theater majors may also double major in secondary education to earn Indiana licensure in grades 5-12. Students seeking Indiana licensure in another content area may also be licensed in theater by completing the theater minor in accordance with the advising note below.
Major in Theater
41 credit hours
- Two of the following6
- THEA 201 Theater for Social Change3
- THEA 225 The Theater Experience3
- One of the following3
- One of the following3
- THEA 386 History of Theater I3
- THEA 387 History of Theater II3
- THEA 409 Internship3
- THEA 410 Senior Seminar3
- THEA 414 Senior Project1
- THEA 200 Theater PracticeNC
- At least six semesters participation in theater productions
- Any theater courses, with at least 6 credits upper-level10
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates witha major in Theater will:
- Practice and implement foundational concepts and practices in the theater discipline and demonstrate proficiency in one or more areas.
- Demonstrate proficiency in theatrical design, performance, or production
- Apply knowledge of theater history, aesthetics and practice to critically analyze and interpret theatrical productions.
- Demonstrate preparedness for a vibrant career that includes using theater arts for a positive contribution to society.
- Lead creative processes that embody the college’s core values.
Planning Guide
| First year | Goshen Core The Theater Experience Theater Practice Acting I or Tech/Design course |
| Second year | Goshen Core The Power of Story Expository Writing or Communication Research History of Theater Theater Practice Courses in major SST |
| Third year | Goshen Core History of Theater Theater for Social Change Theater Practice Upper-level courses in major |
| Fourth year | Balance of Goshen Core Balance of major Senior Seminar Internship |
Planning and Advising Notes
Transfer students must have a minimum of nine hours of theater courses at Goshen College. The Thea 409/Internship should be in the student’s area of concentration. A senior project and a portfolio or its equivalent are required for graduation.
Minor in Theater
18 credit hours
Planning and Advising Notes
Upper-level courses are selected in consultation with theater minor advisor. At least six credit hours must be taken at Goshen College. A faculty-approved and supervised theater project (or its equivalent) is encouraged, but not required for theater minors.
Students seeking licensure in secondary education through the theater minor should take the following courses as part of the required electives: THEA 350 Playwriting and THEA 338. Directing
COMM 204 Expository Writing
(Cross-listed from Engl 204) Theory and practice of written communication. Assignments in a variety of prose forms aim at developing the student’s control of logic, organization, rhetoric, usage, and audience accommodation. Prerequisite: CORE 110 or equivalent.
COMM 240 Communication Research
An introduction to theory building and research methodology of mass communication. Course focuses on the practical aspects of communication research, providing a framework for conducting quantitative and qualitative research..
ENGL 306 Major Author
A study of a major author or of two authors in comparison. Courses have included Shakespeare, Chaucer, Faulkner, and Morrison. Repeatable. Prerequisite: CORE 110.
THEA 200 Theater Practice
Applied on-campus work in a theater production or other theater activity. All students involved in a semester production register for at least 0 credits. A repeatable course with a maximum of two hours applicable toward a theater major or minor....
THEA 201 Theater for Social Change
History, elements, and methods of theater performance. Includes script analysis, developing a performance vocabulary, idea generation/research, theater games/exercises, production work and performance critique. Class members will create and present a public performance that explores a current campus or regional social...
THEA 225 The Theater Experience
This course examines the elements of theater and the production process. It will include script analysis of selected plays, acting exercises, and design and production work. A theater lab will be required.
THEA 234 Acting I
Fundamental acting skills: movement, voice and character development. An emphasis on Stanislavski’s theory of acting and realistic scene work. Scene studies from selected scripts.
THEA 235 Your Powerful Voice
An introduction to performance studies as a mode of inquiry. Concentration on the methods of communicating narrative texts for various audiences. Course activities/assignments will explore the power and role of story in contemporary culture by analyzing and participating in various...
THEA 236 Foundations of Technical Theater
Introduction to the techniques of theater production including carpentry, scene painting, props, lighting and sound equipment. Lab work on current productions.
THEA 331 Stage Management
Training in the structure and practice of theatrical stage management for the academic and professional branches of the discipline.
THEA 386 History of Theater I
A study of the forms and conventions of all phases of theater (writing, performance, design, architecture) from classical Greece through the Renaissance. Emphasis on trends in performance. Includes the reading of selected plays. May be taken in either order with...
THEA 387 History of Theater II
A study of the forms and conventions of all phases of theater (writing, performance, design, architecture) from the English Restoration through the 20th century. Emphasis on trends in performance. Includes the reading of selected plays. May be taken in either...
THEA 409 Internship
An off-campus internship in a professional or non-profit setting for theater majors and minors. The student contracts with a faculty member in regard to goals, performance expectations, supervision, evaluation and course subtitle. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
THEA 410 Senior Seminar
Students will discuss practical, professional, and ethical dimensions of their Goshen College education. They will engage in a common reading experience, conduct a final project, interview professionals in their aspirational fields, and prepare a capstone portfolio that reflects designated learning...
THEA 414 Senior Project
All theater majors are required to complete a senior theater recital (or comparable project) for credit during the senior year. The student prepares a written proposal in advance that requires theater faculty approval. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.