Students sitting in front of art

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Theatre

Visual and Performing Arts

About the Major in Theatre

The BA in Theatre seeks to provide a solid Theatre Generalist foundation that combines the philosophical with the practical, placing a unique emphasis on student-generated work. Rigorous course work, coupled with practical application in production, prepares students to take the next step in their career, whether that be academic or professional.

A professionally active faculty, strong classes, internships, and an active production program all help to prepare students for the theatre of the 21st century. The UofSC Aiken Theatre Program enriches the cultural life of the community through the presentation of a variety of theatrical productions. Various acting styles, design theories, and new technologies are studied in the class room and applied to the department’s productions.

This production-oriented program produces at least four shows a year: two of which are fully realized faculty-directed main stage productions, and two are student-driven laboratory productions. Additionally, students participate in an annual Cabaret Showcase.

Students will take foundations courses in Acting, Theatrical Production, Stage Management, Design, Directing, and Theatre History. Students may also choose from a range of courses including, but not limited to, advanced acting, dance, set design, lighting design, costume design, stage makeup, voice for the theatre, movement, playrighting, theatre history, and theatre management. Theatre studies will culminate with capstone projects designed to master skills.


Degree Requirements for the BA in Theatre

The chart below details all of the courses needed for successful completion of the BA in Theatre.

General Education Requirements (51-52 Hours)

 

A. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World

32-34 Hours

Natural Sciences (1 Course with Lab)

Choose from Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics

7-8 Hours

History of Civilization

Choose from HIST A101 or HIST A102

3 Hours

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Choose from Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Psychology, or Sociology

6 Hours

Languages        

Two courses in the same language. Choose from French, German, or Spanish

6-8 Hours

Humanities

Choose from at least two of the following areas: Art History, Foreign Language,

History, Honors, Humanities, Literature, Music History, Philosophy, Religion,

or Theatre History

                             

9 Hours

B. Intellectual and Practical Skills

15 Hours

English (ENGL A101 and ENGL A102)

6 Hours

Oral Communication

Choose from COMM A201 or COMM A241

3 Hours

Math/Statistics/Logic (MATH A102 and MATH A103)         

6 Hours

Satisfactory completion of the Writing Proficiency Portfolio

Learn more about the WPP

 

Satisfactory completion of three courses designated as Writing Intensive, at least one of which is in the student’s major

Learn more about the Writing Intensive requirement

 

C. Personal and Social Responsibility                

3 Hours

American Political Institutions

Choose from HIST A201, HIST A202, or POLI 201

3 Hours

Inter-Curricular Enrichment Program (ICE)

Learn more about the ICE requirement

 

Major Requirements (45 Hours)

 

A. Foundations in Theatre

21 Hours

Exploring Connections

THEA A151, THEA A170, and THEA A358

Choose one design course: THEA A353, THEA A354, or THEA A357

12 Hours

Theatre and the World

THEA A161 and THEA A361

Choose one of the following: THEA A362 or THEA A363

9 Hours

B. Applications

18 Hours

Choose 6 one-hour labs

THEA A220, A221, A222, A223, A224, A227, A228, A229

Two must be from (A221, A223, A227)
One must be from (A220, A222, A224)
One must be from (A228, A229)

May repeat 2 labs

6 Hours

Theatre Studio Courses 

Choose from the following:  THEA A270, THEA A274, THEA A281, THEA A370, additional design courses, THEA A372, THEA A374, THEA A378, THEA A379, THEA A398, THEA A399, THEA A451, THEA A465,THEA A522, THEA A526, THEA A529, THEA A 570

9 Hours

Directing

THEA A478

3 Hours

C. Capstone Experience

THEA A575, THEA A576, or THEA A596 (directed internship)

6 Hours

Cognate or Minor

12-18 Hours

Electives

5-12 Hours

 Total Hours Required

120 Hours


Curriculum Map for the BA in Theatre

The curriculum map below shows a recommended course schedule for theatre students during their four years of study at UofSC Aiken. 

Year 1

Course Credit Hours

Fall

 

ENGL A101

3 Hours

Math

3 Hours

General Education – Social Science

3 Hours

 THEA A161

3 Hours

THEA A170

3 Hours

Total Semester Hours 15 Hours

Spring

 

ENGL A102

3 Hours

Math

3 Hours

General Education – Humanities (THEA A361, A362, A363, A364)

3 Hours

HIST A101 or HIST A102

3 Hours

THEA A151

3 Hours

THEA lab A220-A229

1 Hour

Total Semester Hours 16 Hours

Year 2

Course Credit Hours

Fall

 

Foreign Language

4 Hours

General Education – Social Science (nonwestern)

3 Hours

Elective

2 Hours

COMM A201 or A241

3 Hours

THEA A358 OR THEA A353, A354, A357

3 Hours

THEA lab A220-A229

1 Hour

Total Semester Hours 16 Hours

Spring

 

Foreign Language

4 Hours

General Education – Humanities

3 Hours

General Education – Political Science

3 Hours

THEA Elective

3 Hours

THEA Elective (200 or higher)

3 Hours

THEA lab A220-A229

1 Hour

Total Semester Hours 17 Hours

Year 3

Course Credit Hours

Fall

 

Natural Science

4 Hours

General Education – Humanities (THEA A362 or THEA A363 (WI) or THEA 364)

3 Hours

THEA A358 OR THEA A353, A354, A357

3 Hours

Minor or Cognate

3 Hours

Minor or Cognate

1 Hour

THEA lab A220-A229

1 Hour

Total Semester Hours 17 Hours

Spring

 

Natural Science

4 Hours

THEA A478 –or theatre elective

3 Hours

THEA Elective (300 or higher)

3 Hours

Minor or Cognate

3 Hours

THEA lab A220-A229

1 Hour

Total Semester Hours 14 Hours

Year 4

Course Credit Hours

Fall

 

Theatre Elective (300 or higher)

3 Hours

THEA A575, A576, or A596

3 Hours

Minor or Cognate

3 Hours

Minor or General Elective

3 Hours

THEA lab A220-A229

1 Hour

Total Semester Hours 13 Hours

Spring

 

Theatre Elective or THEA 478

3 Hours

THEA A575, A576, or A596

3 Hours

Minor or Cognate

3 Hours

Minor or General Elective

3 Hours

Total Semester Hours 12 Hours