Visual and Performing Arts Courses: Fall 2011
Unless otherwise specified, art courses are for majors only.
Animation
ANIM 201: History of Animation
(3) Credit Hour(s)
History of Animation will introduce students to the context, culture and technology necessary for an understanding of the world of animation. In addition to a history of animation and its practitioners and development, the course also explores what happens to history when it is animated and how animation has been used during the twentieth century to interpret the past. The course also pays attention to the aesthetic of the animated image as well as the unique ability of the image to communicate. Finally, the offering will explore the tools, technology used in animation, and the various techniques: claymation, cel animation, CGI, and so forth. Participants will view animations from various studios, feature- length animated films, and experimental shorts. Offered As Needed (UG)
ANIM 203: Editing and Sound Basics
(2) Credit Hour(s)
This course will instruct students on how to create sound designs and audio recordings for later application to advanced Animation projects. Examples of tasks assigned and demonstrated include: audio recording, sound edition, sound transformation, and sound design. Students will create a variety of sound work using digital audio equipment to support their career track in Animation. Offered as Needed. (UG)
ANIM 211: Animation Basics I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This course acts as a foundation for Animation instruction. Projects introduce techniques, both traditional and computer, to convey movement effectively. More emphasis on conveying personality through action, developing skills clean-up and inbetweening exercises are integrated into the course. Prerequisites: ART-106. Offered as Needed. (UG)
ANIM 212: Animation Basics II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This course builds on the preceding Animation Basics 1 course. A sound-sync exercise is animated to match an existing pre-recorded soundtrack. A preliminary animal walk is handled as well as bipedal 3/4 walk cycle (with a choice between two provided characters). More emphasis is stressed on conveying personality through action. More clean-up and inbetweening exercises will be incorporated during this course. (UG)
ANIM 215: Cartooning
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This course is an introduction to the design of the basic cartoon character stressing a solid dimensional approach. Students will begin with basic stick figure exercises that will help to make the connection between life drawing and cartoon design. Visual arts literacy (or equivalent experience) is necessary in order to take this course, as many fundamental skills such as life drawing, perspective, object drawing and composition are vital to this course of study. Prerequisites: ART106. Offered as Needed. (UG)
ANIM 217: Layout I and Storyboarding
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This course is an introduction to the layout process as it relates to various types of animated filmmaking. The course utilizes the elements of perspective and composition, freehand drawing skills and the use of solid construction drawing to create actual background layouts and character poses for an animated film. By learning to analyze and deconstruct existing storyboard panels, students will become familiar with the layout process. Prerequisites: ART-106. Offered as Needed. (UG)
ANIM 218: Layout II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
An in-depth study of the layout process, its creative and technical focus, which reflects the realities of a true studio environment. Rendering for different sytles, looks, moods; multi-level scenes and feature layouts, analyzing layout tests from major studios. Prerequisite: ANIM-217. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 250: Character Design
(3) Credit Hour(s)
In Character Design, students will learn to create believable, complex, and multi-faceted 2D animated characters. Students will focus on facial expressions, animation design styles, personality, psychology and the context of the environment in creating a fully-developed character. Prerequisite: ANIM-212. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 274: Gesture Drawing: Drawing in Action
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Drawing from life is the foundation for understanding motion. Shifts in pose, reflected in proportion, balance and articulation, create a believable sense of organic motion. Gestural Drawing will direct the student to observe motion in the physical world, and examine how motion can be individualized and determined by circumstance. Prerequiste: ART-204. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 311: Animation Basics III
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Students will continue to build on their knowledge of classical animation principles with more complicated exercises featuring physical action lending itself to exaggeration and comic invention. Timing and pre-production planning continue to be an absolute must in order to achieve the desired effects onscreen. Clean-up and Inbetweening exercises will again be provided. Prerequisite: ANIM-212. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 317: Maya Animation I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Maya Animation I is designed to provide the student with initial experience in animating characters in 3D using Maya. Students have already learned the basics of Classical 2D animation in years 1 and 2, and this course is intended to bridge the gap between Classical and 3D animation. The students will start animating simple shapes immediately on provided 3D rigs, starting with the bouncing ball and moving on to more complex bipedal characters, with the emphasis on acting rather than action and technology. The lessons are designed to introduce the students to the basic animator's toolbox in Maya, such as the Graph editor, function curves and the Outliner, focusing on the end usage (or "playing") rather than the technical inner workings of the program. Prerequisite: ANIM-211. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 318: Maya Animation II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
In Maya Animation II, students will further their understanding of Maya by creating a short animation using modeling, rigging, animation, texturing, lighting, and rendering. Prerequiste: ANIM-317. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 320: 2-Dimensional Effects in Animation
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Two Dimensional Effects in Animation centers on the mastery of observable physical phenomenon in Animation, including fire, water, smoke, dust, running water, and bubbles popping. Students will recreate these effects in traditional pencil-drawing animation, as well as in Adobe After Effects. Prerequisite: ANIM-211. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 327: Background Painting
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Background Painting will introduce the student to the practice of creating background environments for figurative images, including architecture, landscape, and surrounding objects. The student will explore color, value, perspective, theatrical composition, lighting and stylization. In addition, the student will explore how the background enhances the subject, whether it is an animated project, illustration, or comic art. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 333: Maya Modeling & Texturing
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Maya Modeling and Texturing builds off the skill sets introduced in Maya Animation I and II to provide the student with a more complex understanding of computer geometry in order to examine the basic elements of computer models. Modeling, animation, lighting, texture mapping and rendering are explored within a production setting. Prerequisite: ANIM-318. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 341: Digital Compositing
(3) Credit Hour(s)
In Digital Compositing, the animation student will learn how to combine two or more sources (from film, video, still sources, etc.), to make a new image. Students wil gain the ability to manipulate frame composition, timing, and color by editing in Adobe After Effects, and in other post-production software tools. Prerequisite: ANIM-311. Offererd As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 411: Animation Basics IV
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This final course in Animation Basics builds on all the skills developed in previous courses and involves a 2-character performance piece with acting and lip sync. The final Inbetweening exercises will be dealt within this course. Prerequisite: ANIM-311. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 421: Advanced Lighting
(3) Credit Hour(s)
In Advanced Lighting, students will apply previous training in lighting to create realistic environments and objects. Prerequisite: ANIM-411. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 429: Dynamics & Particals
(3) Credit Hour(s)
In Dynamics and Particals, students will explore Particle Systems and Paint Effects to create advanced images. Class projects will complete dynamic animations with the use of particle systems to integrate realistic motion with visual effects. This course will complete the sequence of 3D skill sets standard in the industry. Prerequisite: ANIM-318. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 432: Maya Character Modeling & Rigging
(3) Credit Hour(s)
In Maya Character Modeling and Rigging, animation students will continue to explore Maya and learn how to customize Maya to speed up workflow. Advanced topics will be introduced, including squash and stretch, utility nodes, and scripting. Prerequisite: ANIM-333. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ANIM 450: Advanced Character Animation
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced Character Animation is a culmination of previous character modeling and animation courses. Students combine previously learned skill sets to produce character animations that demonstrate motivation and personality. Prerequisite: ANIM-318. Offered As Needed. (UG)
Art
ART 101: Introduction to the Visual Arts
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. An exploration of the principles of design and the creative process in the plastic arts through a series of studio projects in a variety of media; periods of lecture and discussion devoted to aesthetics and the history of art. Non-majors only. Offered Each Semester. (UG)
ART 103: Foundation Design I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
An exploration of pictorial composition in two-dimensional representation with emphasis on the basic elements of design. Limited to BFA, BS Art and BS Art Ed majors only. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 104: Foundation Design II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
A study of space, light and color with emphasis on three-dimensional expression. Prerequisite: ART 103. Limited to BFA, BS Art and BS Art Ed majors only. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 105: Foundation Drawing I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Development of visual perception and organization through drawing from nature and life in a variety of drawing media. Limited to BFA, BS Art and BS Art Ed majors only. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 106: Foundation Drawing II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
A variety of thematic drawing experiences emphasizing work in ink, color pencil and mixed media. Prerequisite: ART 105 and approved portfolio. Limited to BFA, BS Art and BS Art Ed majors only. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 107: Visual Experience
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. An investigation of the visual aspects of the world through artistic themes, techniques, and landmarks. Methods of analyzing form will aid students in experiencing aesthetic responses to historical artistic examples and the contemporary, immediate environment. Non-majors only. Offered Each Semester. (UG)
ART 109: Art and Design Fundamentals
(3) Credit Hour(s)
For high school seniors and juniors only. This course is designed to give an intensive drawing and design experience for high school students wishing to prepare for a college visual art curriculum. Offered Summer Only. (UG)
ART 155: Photography for Non-Majors
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Introduction to the essential principles of photography and its use as a creative tool. Non-majors only. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 204: Figure Drawing I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Drawing from the human figure to include experimentation in a variety of media. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 205: Figure Drawing II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Continuation of figure study, incorporating the figure as an integral element of composition. Prerequisite: ART 204. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 218: Creative Drawing
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. The course will be simultaneously an introduction to basic drawing techniques and an exploration of how to work with imagery to express ideas. Students will develop drawing skills with a range of media and will learn how to use these skills to create meaningful, personal drawings that communicate with viewers. For non-majors. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 219: Graphic Design I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
An introduction to traditional and contemporary production methods and practices used by Graphic Design professionals. Emphasis is placed on terminology and technical production practices. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 225: Watercolor Painting I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
An introductory course in painting using watercolor and case in painting techniques. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 226: Watercolor Painting II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced study of watercolor painting processes, materials and techniques, with emphasis on contemporary Western watercolor and Oriental watercolor painting. Prerequisite: ART-104 AND ART-106. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 229: Ceramics for Non-Majors
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. Introduction to ceramics, the aesthetic possibilities of clay, basic construction techniques and a basic experience of glazing for those students not majoring in Art, Graphic Design, or Art Education. Non-majors only. Offered as Needed. (UG)
ART 230: Computer Rendering
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Students are introduced to vector- and raster-based computer software as they explore drawing and painting/image processing applications. Emphasis is placed on the Macintosh computer as a tool for artists and graphic designers. Students examine the effects of digitally producing/altering graphic, photography-based, and typographic images. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 240: Woodcuts and Monoprints
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Introduction to these two basic forms of printmaking with attention to both aesthetics and processes. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Summer Only. (UG)
ART 251: Ceramics I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Introduction to ceramics, the aesthetic possibilities of clay, basic construction techniques and a basic experience of glazing. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Semester (UG)
ART 267: Sculpture I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Introduction to sculpture process concentrating on working in the round and relief. Experiences in a wide variety of common materials and techniques. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 275: History of Art: Ancient-Medieval
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. Writing intensive. Illustrated lectures and discussions on the art of the ancient world from prehistoric times through medieval art. Open to Non-majors. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 285: History of Art: Renaissance-Modern
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. Writing intensive. Study of the development of artistic expression from the fourteenth through the mid-twentieth century. Open to Non-majors, but is not recommended for Freshmen. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 287: The History of Design
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Study of the history of design, especially the history of visual communication design, 40,000 BC through the present. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 301: Publication Design and the Computer
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Students learn about the role of graphic communication design in the production of publications. Emphasis is placed on traditional print publications such as posters, brochures, magazines, and newsletters. The production of screen-based publications is introduced. Prerequisite: ART-219. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 306: Figure Drawing III
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced work from the figure. Special focus based on student's major field of study. Required for Drawing/Illustration majors. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 319: Graphic Design II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
The history of typography, the anatomy of the letterform, typeface classifications, typographic terminology and the effective usage of type to convey visual/verbal messages are explored in this course. Prerequisite: ART 219. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 320: Graphic Design III
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Continued exploration of the role of typography in graphic visual communication as combined with graphic and pictorial elements in the production of screen-based interactive visual communication projects. Prerequisite: ART 319. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 325: Introductory Oil Painting
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Introductory course in painting using oil as the vehicle of expression. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 326: Introductory Acrylic Painting
(3) Credit Hour(s)
A painting course emphasizing the use of the acrylic medium. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 331: Art Reading List
(3) Credit Hour(s)
An examination of selected writings on art and aesthetics; seminar discussions and research reports. Prerequisite: ART 275 or ART 285. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 334: Digital Photography
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This studio course is designed for students with either limited or no experience in photography. It will include a study grounded in the historical, conceptual and practical developments of the art of photography as embodied in the use of digital image making technologies. Students are given a set of basic experiences in the conceptual and practical use of this relatively new art form. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Year. (UG)
ART 340: Lithography and Intaglio
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Exploration of lithography and intaglio printmaking processes emphasizing the production of editions. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 344: Art in Space and Environment
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. Writing Intensive. A collaborative experience with THA 326, Performance in Space, that leads students to address issues relating to art and theater in a site-specific context. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 345: Advanced Drawing I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Emphasis on the development of an idea through a sequence of drawings. Prerequisites: ART 204, 205. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 346: Advanced Drawing II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Provides the drawing major with a bridge between the high level of instructor participation characteristic of preceding drawing/illustration courses and the expected independence of the senior project semesters. Prerequisite: ART 345. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 348: Seminar and Practice in Graphic Design
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This course will focus on an inquiry of the traditional and expanded roles that graphic designers have filled. It will encompass investigation and research into current topics of sustainable practices, opportunities, and theories as applied to the professional practice of graphic design. Issues to be addressed include ethics, current events, and the role of the designer as problem seeker. Prerequisite: ART-319. (UG)
ART 351: Ceramics II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Technical and creative experiences in throwing on the wheel and a creative exploration of glazing. Prerequisite: ART 251. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 355: History of Non-Western Art
(3) Credit Hour(s)
An overview of artistic traditions outside the influence of Europe with particular emphasis on the arts of East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Open to Non-majors. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 356: Women in Art
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. Illustrated discussion of women in the arts, centering on the obstacles and reception of women in the artistic establishment, and the depiction of women by both male and female artists. Open to Non-majors. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 367: Sculpture II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Theory and practice of sculptural composition utilizing modeling and carving with introductory welding and casting. Prerequisite: ART 267. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 368: Sculpture III
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Continued exploration of sculptural techniques with emphasis on understanding the character and value of the material to the final work. Prerequisite: ART 367. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 381: Illustration I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Exploration of mostly black and white media, investigation of drawing aid apparatus, drawing techniques. An introduction to extensive conceptual problems will be given. Prerequisite: ART 204. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 382: Illustration II
(3) Credit Hour(s)
A combined drawing and painting experience with specific directions toward narrative images. Media and technique to be compatible with photo/print production. Prerequisite: ART 381. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 383: Illustration III
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced exploration of illustration in various media. Prerequisite: ART 382. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 420: Graphic Design IV
(3) Credit Hour(s)
The role of the graphic visual communication designer in the field of advertising is addressed as students produce an advertising campaign. The history of advertising is explored in its relationship to the development of todays most popular forms of advertising including print, broadcast/video, out-of-home and screen-based and interactive media. Prerequisite: ART 319. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 425: Painting III
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced painting problems in various media. Prerequisites: ART 325, 326. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 426: Painting IV
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced study in painting. Prerequisite: ART 425. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 435: Advanced Typography
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced design projects which explore the expressive potential of type in a variety of conceptual applications. Additionally, projects focus on the design process as the central component in the development of solutions to visual communication problems. Prerequisite: ART 319. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 436: Overview of Aesthetics
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Aesthetics studies the nature of reception and appreciation of the visual realm. Often described as "the philosophy of beauty", aesthetics encompasses the role of visual experience, beauty/ugliness, and visual and poetic expression. This course investigates the history of aesthetics, with a focus on the development of modern aesthetics. Prerequisite: ART-331. Offered Each Year. (UG)
ART 439: Serigraphy
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Exploration of printmaking processes using the photo-mechanically produced image. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Semester. (UG)
ART 441: Advanced Printmaking
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Opportunity for advanced students to continue exploration of and involvement with chosen printmaking processes and procedures. Prerequisites: ART 240, 340, 439. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 443: Issues and Methodologies in Contemporary Art
(2) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Information Literacy; Writing Intensive. Together with ART 498, Senior Exhibition, combination of courses satisfies Research and Presentation requirement. Diverse exercises in criticism and analysis to broaden the art student's aesthetic awareness, judgment and sensitivity. Prerequisite: ART-331. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
ART 445: Special Projects
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced study in a studio area with special authorization of a faculty member and approval of the department chairperson. May be repeated; two uses total, senior year only. Offered Each Semester. (UG)
ART 446: History of Contemporary Art:1940- Present
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Study of contemporary art history based on the visual and historical movements of the second half of the twentieth century. Prerequisite: ART-285. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 455: Photography
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Study of basic techniques in the use of film as an art medium; studio work in developing and printing in black and white. Prerequisites: ART-104 and ART-106. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
ART 456: Advanced Photography
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced work in the creative use of film and papers. Prerequisites: ART 455 or approval of instructor. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 464: Sculpture IV
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced study in sculpture. Prerequisite: ART 368. Offered As Needed. (UG)
ART 490: Senior Project
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Advanced study in a major discipline in preparation for and including an exhibition of completed works; supervision by a major instructor and a faculty review board. Normally elected in the final semester, and only after the completion of the entire numbered sequence of courses in the major discipline. Required of all BFA candidates. A BFA degree may not be earned without a grade of "C" or higher in this course. Pre-req: ART-443. Offered Each Semester. (UG)
ART 498: Senior Art Exhibit
(1) Credit Hour(s)
With ART 443, fulfills Research and Presentation requirement. Required of all BFA Art, BFA Graphic Design, BS Art, and BS Visual Arts Education majors. Prerequisite: ART 443. Offered Each Semester. (UG)
Arts Administration
ARTA 450: Practicum Seminar in Arts Administration and Management
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Students will intern at a practicing arts organization, where they will gain experience in day-to-day operation and support procedures. Students will meet weekly with the faculty advisor to chart time, troubleshoot about organizational issues and discuss assignments. The faculty advisor will correspond closely with the cooperating organization to monitor student progress. Prerequisite: BA-211. (UG)
Music
MUS 100: Introduction to Music
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Basic concepts and terminology; survey of selected periods in music history, with study of representative illustrations. Offered Every Semester (UG)
MUS 113: Music Theory I
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Designed to acquaint students, at a level which is less than professional, with the fundamentals of notation, reading, and theory. Topics will include: melody, the keyboard, rhythm, timbre, dynamics, articulation, major scales, intervals, minor scales, key signatures, other pitch resources, and triads. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
MUS 115: The Music of the United States
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. A survey of the entire range of American music: religious, folk, classical, popular, jazz, etc. Offered As Needed. (UG)
Private music lessons are also available for credit: contact the Visual & Performing Arts Department to arrange.
Theater Arts
THA 103: Basic Acting Technique
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. Acting as an art, survey and evaluation of its development, analysis of method acting and current trends. Exercises and application of acting principles to individual talents and towards development of an ensemble. Theatre games, improvisation, and beginning scene work. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
THA 106: Introduction to the Theatre
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. Analysis of theatre and drama, historical and current production practices, in order to enhance aesthetic appreciation. Offered Each Semester. (UG)
THA 108: Masked Performance
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. This introductory class will explore the fundamentals of acting and characterization through the lens of the mask and the specific problems it creates for the actor. Offered Each Year (Spring) (UG)
THA 207: Improvisation
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. The class will look at improvisation in various performative and cultural contexts. Activities will include practical experiences, including solo and group performances, readings, viewings, research, and writing on historical aspects and contexts of improvisation. Prerequisite: THA 103. Offered Each Year (Fall). (UG)
THA 213: Introduction to Stage Combat
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. This class will focus on the idea of unarmed, staged violence, and will seek primarily to gain an understanding and respect for the physical safety concerns of the stage. Prerequisite: THA 103. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 214: Stage Movement
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Studies techniques for presence and movement on stage. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 215: Introduction to Suzuki Method of Actor T Raining
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This course introduces students to the Suzuki method of actor training. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 222: Costume Design
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Introduces the student to the art of costume design. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 223: Lighting Design
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This course presents techniques and facets of lighting design. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 224: Set Design
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This class focuses on the fundamentals of set design. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 225: Sound Design
(3) Credit Hour(s)
This course provides instruction in the basics of sound design. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 230: Acting for Animators
(3) Credit Hour(s)
The course will deal in depth with the skills and sensibilities associated with communication through speech, the physical appearance and structure of the vocal articulators, the implementation of the Laban effort actions and their relationship to the definition of a character and the use of Improvisation as a tool for creating and evaluating narrative structure. (UG)
THA 246: Design for the Theater: History of Theatrical Space
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Contextual Competency. This course explores the design of theatrical spaces throughout history, especially in terms of the cultures that shaped them. We will use this information to investigate what we can learn about a culture from its theatrical events and the spaces designed to hold these events. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 250: Voice and Speech for the Actor
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Communication Skills. This class explores the different facets of vocal communication and how they can be manipulated purposefully towards a theatrical end. The class will also investigate the differences between the concerns of stage voice and everyday voice. Prerequisite: THA 103. Offered Each Year (Spring). (UG)
THA 253: Theatre As Outreach
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Civic Responsibility; Service Learning requirement. The broad purpose of this course is to equip students with the means to design and lead theatre workshops for others, especially disadvantaged citizens. The course will train students to facilitate workshops and residencies in a range of settings (schools, hospitals, places of detention, etc.), and will prioritize assisting people of all ages and in a variety of circumstances to find and express an artistic voice. Our main focus will be learning how to assist non-actors to express their issues and concerns through the medium of theatre, and to empower members of our community to articulate those concerns in live performances that can then serve as forums for community discussion. A signed petition from the Director of Service Learning is required for registration in this course. (UG)
THA 260: Advanced Acting: Scene Study
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. This course for advanced acting students focuses on the skills involved in interpreting text, especially in terms of character development. We will explore the notions of character objective, tactics and arc, as well as continuing our study of narrative structures and the actor's responsibilities toward story. Prerequisite: THA 103. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 326: Performance in Space
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Critical Thinking. A collaborative experience with ART 344: Art in Space and Environment that leads students to address issues relating to art and theater in a site-specific context. Offered As Needed. (UG)
THA 328: Advanced Improvisation
(3) Credit Hour(s)
Fulfills core competency: Affective Awareness. This course for advanced acting students is a continuation of the skills introduced in THA 207. Prerequisite: THA 207. Offered As Needed. (UG)