Theatre Major (B.A.)
Arts Center
CHDCM@shu.edu
shu.edu/academics/ba-theatre.html
Program Code: EC_COTR_BA
Academic Advisor(s): Reader; Yates
The Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts offers a Theatre major that provides its students the opportunity to advance their skills and passions in a broad-based Liberal Arts study of Theatre in preparation for further practice. The major includes a 39-credit program designed to immerse students in both the practice and study of theatre as a dynamic art form. Through a blend of performance, production, and critical inquiry, students will explore acting, directing, design, and theatre history while developing skills in collaboration, creativity, and human expression. Coursework emphasizes both experiential learning — through performances and production work — and analytical engagement with dramatic literature, theatrical traditions, and cultural contexts.
Theatre majors are encouraged to participate in Seton Hall Theatre, Theatre Council and professional Theatre workshops.
Curriculum Requirements
Students pursuing a major in Theatre must complete 39 credits in the discipline as articulated below and in consultation with an academic advisor.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| COTR 1620 & COTR 1621 & COTR 1622 | Performance Lab-Theatre-Perfom and Performance Lab II and Performance Lab III * | 3 |
| COTR 1720 | Basic Stagecraft | 3 |
| COTR 2621 | Introduction to the Theater | 3 |
| COTR 2624 | Vocal Techniques | 3 |
| COTR 2626 | Acting I | 3 |
| COTR 2722 | Social Change 20 Cent Theatre | 3 |
| COTR 3621 | Directing | 3 |
| COTR 3623 | Lighting for TV-Theatre-Film | 3 |
| COTR 5899 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| Subtotal | 27 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 credits of the following: ** | 12 | |
| The American Stage | ||
| Theatre As Cultural Dialogue | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Internship I | ||
| Internship II | ||
| Playwriting | ||
| Lighting for TV-Theatre-Film | ||
| Acting II-Classical Style | ||
| Theatre in London | ||
| ST: Acting for the Camera | ||
| The Irish Stage | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Beginning Voice | ||
| Private Voice | ||
| Music of Broadway | ||
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
- *
Performance Lab: 3 one-credit course in acting, directing, stage crew, set or lighting design.
- **
Six credits must be from COTR.
Plan of Study
Requirements for the program are outlined in the "Requirements" tab of this Catalogue. This Planner tab offers a sample semester-by-semester model schedule which accounts for historical course availability. For timely completion of the program, students must routinely meet with their assigned academic advisor to carefully plan their schedule based on available courses.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| CORE 1001 | University Life | 1 |
| CORE 1101 | Journey of Transformation | 3 |
| ENGL 1201 | Core English I | 3 |
| COST 1600 | Speaking and Listening in a Digital and Global Age | 3 |
| COTR 2722 | Social Change 20 Cent Theatre | 3 |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: World Language/Culture Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 1202 | Core English II | 3 |
| COTR 2621 | Introduction to the Theater | 3 |
| COTR 2626 | Acting I | 3 |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Mathematics Requirement | 3 | |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: World Language/Culture Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CORE 2101 | Christianity and Cult in Dial. | 3 |
| COTR 1720 | Basic Stagecraft | 3 |
| COTR 1620 | Performance Lab-Theatre-Perfom | 1 |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Social/Political Requirement | 3 | |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Identity/Difference Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COTR 2624 | Vocal Techniques | 3 |
| COTR 1621 | Performance Lab II | 1 |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Creative Process Requirement | 3 | |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CORE 3XXX: Engaging the World | ||
| COTR 3621 | Directing | 3 |
| COTR 3623 | Lighting for TV-Theatre-Film | 3 |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Ethics Requirement | 3 | |
| Theatre Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Identity/Difference Requirement | 3 | |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Aesthetics Requirement | 3 | |
| Theatre Elective | 3 | |
| Theatre Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| COTR 1622 | Performance Lab III | 1 |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Historical Context Requirement | 3 | |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Social/Political Requirement | 3 | |
| Theatre Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COTR 5899 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| MUAP 2231 | Private Voice | 2 |
| CHDCM B.A. Core: Historical Context Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 117 | |
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