About the major
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre Studies with an emphasis in Film Studies combines extensive practical training in the techniques of theatre, film, and video production with an array of liberal arts coursework. The core of the degree is an interdisciplinary collaboration with the Theatre, Media Communications, and English areas, creating experiential learning environments behind and in front of the camera, as well as on stage or behind the scenes. This rigorous program is student-centered and equips students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on skills that are highly valued in the workforce. The degree culminates in an individualized Senior Project, where students prepare for their future in the entertainment industry while applying skills and knowledge gained throughout the program. The curriculum allows students to augment their studies with a Minor or Certificate in a field of their choice (e.g., Graphic + Interactive Design Minor, Certificate in Audio and Music Production, Entrepreneurship Minor).
Contact information
To learn more about our degree programs, scholarships, professional development and careers, performances, faculty, and students, visit University Theatre or contact us at 330.941.3810.
To schedule a personalized campus visit, contact the Cliffe College of Creative Arts Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at 330.941.2346 or sawaltman@ysu.edu. We would love to learn about your interests, talk with you about our programs, and become an important part of your future.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or YSU 1500S | Youngstown State University Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Any Gen Ed Math (Recommended MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities (6 s.h. Met by THTR 1560 and THTR 1590 in major) | ||
| Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab) (7 s.h.) | 7 | |
| Social Science (6 s.h.) | 6 | |
| General Education Electives (9 s.h.) | ||
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| or CMST 2620 | Science Communication | |
| Any Gen Ed Course | 3 | |
| Any Gen Ed Course | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| FNLG 1501 | Conversational Foreign Language 1 | 3 |
| FNLG 1502 | Conversational Foreign Language 2 | 3 |
| Theatre Core Requirements | ||
| Grade of "C" or better is required. Courses cannot be taken "CR/NC" | ||
| THTR 1560 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 1590 | History of Motion Pictures | 3 |
| THTR 1559 | Production Design for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| THTR 1561 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THTR 1585 | Acting 1: Fundamentals | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum (Must be repeated 3 times for a total of 3 s.h.) | 3 |
| THTR 2661 | Introduction to Stage Management | 3 |
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 (Must be repeated 4 times for a total of 4 s.h.) | 4 |
| THTR 3701 | Professional Preparation | 3 |
| THTR 3761 | Stage Makeup | 3 |
| THTR 3762 | Directing 1 | 3 |
| or THTR 4870 | Acting 4: Acting on Camera | |
| THTR 3768 | Script Analysis for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| THTR 37XX/48XX Upper Division elective | 3 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| ENGL 2665 | Introduction to Film Study | 3 |
| ENGL 3748 | Screenwriting | 3 |
| ENGL 3765 | Film Genres | 3 |
| MCOM 2624 | Communication Technology - Photo and Video | 3 |
| MCOM 2625 | Communication Technologies: Aesthetics and Design | 3 |
| MCOM 2683 | Foundations of Multicamera Production | 1 |
| MCOM 2683L | Multicamera Lab 1 | 2 |
| MCOM 2685 | Producing | 3 |
| MCOM 3781L | Audio Production | 3 |
| MCOM 3782 | Advanced Multicamera Production | 1 |
| MCOM 4850L | Applied Production | 3 |
| THTR 4898 | Senior Project | 3 |
| Certificate or Minor (12 s.h., including 6 s.h. of upper division) | 12-18 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 121-129 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Youngstown State University Success Seminar or Intro to Honors | 1-2 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| MCOM 2624 | Communication Technology - Photo and Video | 3 |
| THTR 1559 | Production Design for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| THTR 1560 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| Semester Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| THTR 1561 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THTR 1590 | History of Motion Pictures | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| MCOM 2625 | Communication Technologies: Aesthetics and Design | 3 |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed Course | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| THTR 1585 | Acting 1: Fundamentals | 3 |
| THTR 2600 | Theatre Practicum | 1 |
| MCOM 2683 | Foundations of Multicamera Production | 1 |
| MCOM 2683L | Multicamera Lab 1 | 2 |
| Any Gen Ed Math (Recommend MATH 2623) | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Natural Science + Lab | 4 | |
| Minor or Certificate Course 1 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| THTR 2661 | Introduction to Stage Management | 3 |
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 3768 | Script Analysis for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| MCOM 2685 | Producing | 3 |
| General Education Elective - Social Science | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor Course 2 | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| ENGL 3765 | Film Genres | 3 |
| MCOM 3781L | Audio Production | 3 |
| FNLG 1501 | Conversational Foreign Language 1 | 3 |
| Oral Communication Requirement (CMST 1545 or CMST 2620) | 3 | |
| Certificate or Minor Course 3 | 3-6 | |
| Semester Hours | 16-19 | |
| Spring | ||
| FNLG 1502 | Conversational Foreign Language 2 | 3 |
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 3761 | Stage Makeup | 3 |
| ENGL 3748 | Screenwriting | 3 |
| THTR 37XX/48XX Upper Division THTR Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Natural Science | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| THTR 3700 | Theatre Practicum 2 | 1 |
| THTR 3762 or THTR 4870 | Directing 1 or Acting 4: Acting on Camera | 3 |
| ENGL 2665 | Introduction to Film Study | 3 |
| MCOM 3782 | Advanced Multicamera Production | 1 |
| General Education Elective - Social Science | 3 | |
| Minor | 3-6 | |
| Semester Hours | 14-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| THTR 3701 | Professional Preparation | 3 |
| THTR 4898 | Senior Project | 3 |
| MCOM 4850L | Applied Production | 3 |
| General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 12 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 121-129 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Public Performances – Students demonstrate competence in applying discipline-specific skills to the creation of theatrical performance.
- Knowledge of History and Cultural Dimensions – Students demonstrate knowledge of the history and cultural influences of and upon the institution of theatre throughout the ages and analyze and critique the social significance and cultural resonances of theatrical endeavor as reflected in theatre history and dramatic literature.
- Informed Assessments of Quality – Students demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the multi-faceted nature of the production process and demonstrate comprehension of the variety of artistry and skills that contribute to a finished theatrical production.
- Critical Thinking – Students demonstrate problem-solving skills in the creation of artistic work by identifying & articulating goals and assessing and applying necessary processes to achieve said goals.
- Collaboration – Students implement and coordinate communication skills, creativity, and organizational skills required to develop effective teamwork and achieve a unified goal. Individual accountability to the team is fostered as part of the collaborative effort. Students will assimilate multiple views to deepen knowledge and promote critical thinking.