Theatre Major Learning Outcomes 

Students who successfully complete a major in Theatre are expected to: 

• Situate works and ideas in historical, cultural, and political contexts: students should learn to connect concepts and texts (written and performative, oral and visual, live or mediated) to the contexts in which they are embedded; 
• Analyze critically multiple forms of human expression: students should be able to critique texts and performances by conducting close textual analyses, comparing and contrasting works, applying relevant theoretical lenses, and offering evaluative judgments; 
• Create meaningful original work: students should learn, apply, explain, and critically reflect upon methodologies used in creating their own works, including theatrical performances, production materials, presentations, and written essays; 
• Participate productively in the arts community: students should cultivate an awareness of their civic roles and responsibilities to various communities. They should critically engage with the performing arts; they should appreciate media and popular culture; and they should practice engagement in a range of performance-related activities on campus, in Meadville, and in their future communities. 

The Theatre major at Allegheny teaches students to engage creatively and critically with the wider culture that surrounds them. Working from theatre, digital media production, rhetorical, and/or media studies traditions, students are asked to produce, analyze, and evaluate myriad dramatic and performance texts across periods and genres. 

Majors are required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in department courses at graduation. All THTR, COMM, and FDS courses taken at Allegheny on a letter grade basis are included in the GPA calculation with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts. Declared majors must take THTR, COMM, and FDS courses on a letter grade basis. A maximum of eight transfer credits may be counted towards the major. Please note: most courses at the 100-level must be taken before a student’s senior year. 

Requirements for the Theatre Major 

The major in Theatre leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree and requires the successful completion of a minimum of 55 credits. The major includes a Core Sequence, Elective courses, and one of three Modules of Inquiry. Most majors should begin their Theatre Electives after completing THTR 210 Text and Performance courses and should complete the Module before taking THTR 602 Comprehensive Seminar. One course each from Theatre Electives and the Module of Inquiry must be completed at the 300-level. No course counted as part of the Core Sequence may be counted as a Theatre Elective. 

Theatre majors should consult with an adviser from the Department of Communication Arts and Theatre to design a combination of Core, Electives, and Module that intentionally and effectively meets their interests and goals. 

Students who major in Theatre may not double-major or minor in Communication and Cultural Studies or Film and Digital Storytelling.