Theatre, B.A.
Admissions
Entrance Requirements
New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to degree programs offered by the college. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another college on the Columbia campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another USC campus must fulfill one of the following requirements:
- Be in good standing, meet the admission requirements for a baccalaureate degree on the Columbia campus, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
- Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with a GPA of 2.00 or higher on a USC campus.
Some programs in the College of Arts and Sciences have special admission requirements established by the department or committee that supervises the specific degree program, for example, Cardiovascular Technology, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Economics, Environmental Science, the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. These requirements are listed in the sections of this bulletin that describe department and special degree programs.
Degree Requirements (120 hours)
Program of Study
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| 1. Carolina Core | 32-44 |
| 2. College Requirements | 15-18 |
| 3. Program Requirements | 18-42 |
| 4. Major Requirements | 31-40 |
Founding Documents Requirement
All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers. This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective. Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.
1. Carolina Core Requirements (32-44 hours)
CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)
must be passed with a grade of C or higher
- any CC-CMW course
ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (6-8 hours)
- any CC-ARP course
SCI – Scientific Literacy (8 hours)
- two 4-credit hour CC-SCI laboratory science courses
GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-6 hours)
Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in the 122 course is required. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.
It is strongly recommended that students continuing the study of a foreign language begin college-level study of that language in their first semester and continue in that language until their particular foreign language requirement is completed.
GHS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours)
- any CC-GHS course
GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)
- any CC-GSS course
AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)
- any CC-AIU course
CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component1 (0-3 hours)
- any overlay or stand-alone CC-CMS course
INF – Information Literacy1 (0-3 hours)
- any overlay or stand-alone CC-INF course
VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility1 (0-3 hours)
- any overlay or stand-alone CC-VSR course
- 1
Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.
2. College Requirements (15-18 hours)
Foreign Language (0-3 hours)
- only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency
History (3 hours)
The College of Arts and Sciences requires one additional GHS course beyond the Carolina Core GHS requirement.
- If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course.
- If the Carolina Core GHS requirement is fulfilled by a non-U.S. history course, the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement must be fulfilled by a U.S. history course.
Please select the College of Arts and Sciences history requirement from the approved list of U.S. and non-U.S. history courses.
Social Science and Fine Arts or Humanities (12 hours)
- Social Science (3 hours)
- The College of Arts and Science requires one 3- hour Social Science Course
- Fine Arts/Humanities (9 Hours)
- A Bachelor of Arts from the College of Arts and Sciences requires three 3-hour Fine Arts/Humanities Courses
3. Program Requirements (18-42 hours)
Supporting Courses (0-6 hours)
must be passed with a grade of C or higher
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 6 hours of dramatic literature from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Classical Drama | ||
| English Drama to 1660 | ||
| Shakespeare's Tragedies | ||
| Shakespeare’s Comedies and Histories | ||
| English Drama Since 1660 | ||
| American Drama | ||
| African American Theatre | ||
| History of Modern Theatre | ||
- 1
May apply towards fulfillment of the cognate or minor
Cognate or Minor (12-18 hours)
Students must complete a cognate (12 hours) or a minor as part of this program. In lieu of a cognate or minor, an additional major may be added to a student’s program of study. Additional majors must include all major courses as well as any prescribed courses noted (*) in the bulletin. Prescribed courses noted in the bulletin may be shared with Carolina Core, College requirements, and Program requirements in the primary program.
Cognate (12 hours)
The cognate must consist of twelve (12) hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of but related to the major. The cognate may be taken in one or more departments or programs.
Courses offered by departments and programs that are acceptable for cognate credit are outlined in the section titled Courses Acceptable for Cognate Credit in Degree Programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. Some major programs have specific cognate requirements. It should be emphasized that the cognate is not a second set of elective courses to be chosen at random by the student. Students are urged to consult their major advisors for specific requirements in their major.
For Bachelor of Arts degrees, all cognate courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
Minor (18 hours)
In place of the cognate a student in the College of Arts and Sciences may choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses.
The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. It differs from the cognate inasmuch as the courses must follow a structured sequence.
Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher. At least half of the courses in the minor must be completed in residence at the University.
A list of minor programs of study can be found at Programs A-Z.
Electives (0-30 hours)
120 (or 128) degree applicable credits are required to complete any degree at UofSC. After the cognate, minor or second major is complete, any additional credits needed to reach 120 (or 128) total credits can be fulfilled by electives. No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences allows the use of the Pass-Fail option on elective courses. Further clarification on inapplicable courses can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences.
4. Major Requirements (31-40 hours)
Students may choose to complete the general major in Theatre (31 hours), or they may choose to complete a Theatre major with a concentration in Design and Technology or in Performance (40 hours).
A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses.
Major Courses (19 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THEA 270 | Beginning Acting | 3 |
| THEA 280 | Elements of Design for Theatre Production | 3 |
| THEA 561 | History of the Theatre I | 3 |
| THEA 562 | History of the Theatre II | 3 |
| THEA 490 | Theatre Capstone Course | 3 |
| or THEA 578 | Play Direction I | |
| Theatre Production Laboratory: 1 | ||
| THEA 120 | Laboratory Theatre Production | 1 |
| THEA 121 | Theatre Running Crew Laboratory. | 1 |
| Select two hours from the following: | 2 | |
| Theatre Performance Laboratory | ||
| Theatre Production Studio | ||
| Stage Management Laboratory | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 19 | |
- 1
All Theatre lab courses maybe repeated for credit. THEA 120 and THEA 121 are required Laboratory credits. THEA 120 must be completed within the first year of declaring the Theatre major.
Major Electives (12 hours)
- Select 6 hours from THEA 200-300 level
- Select 6 hours from THEA 400 level or above
Major with Concentration in Design and Technology (40 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THEA 270 | Beginning Acting | 3 |
| THEA 280 | Elements of Design for Theatre Production | 3 |
| THEA 561 | History of the Theatre I | 3 |
| THEA 562 | History of the Theatre II | 3 |
| THEA 490 | Theatre Capstone Course | 3 |
| or THEA 578 | Play Direction I | |
| Select two hours from the following: 1 | 2 | |
| Laboratory Theatre Production | ||
| Theatre Running Crew Laboratory. | ||
| Select two hours from the following: | 2 | |
| Theatre Production Studio | ||
| Stage Management Laboratory | ||
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Stage Management | ||
| Make-up Design for Theatre and Film | ||
| Stage Costume Construction | ||
| Stagecraft | ||
| Introduction to Theatre Sound Design | ||
| Introduction to Stage Lighting | ||
| Select five courses from the following: | 15 | |
| Production Design for Theatre | ||
| Advanced Stage Management | ||
| Special Topics in Costume Technology | ||
| Computer Aided Drafting for Theatre | ||
| Introduction to Costume Design | ||
| Period Styles for Wig and Hair Design | ||
| History of Costume | ||
| Stage Costume Pattern Drafting and Drawing | ||
| Advanced Stagecraft | ||
| Scene Painting for the Stage | ||
| Stage Design | ||
| Advanced Scenic Design | ||
| Draping for the Modern Silhouette | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Advanced Practice in Sound Design | ||
| Stage Light Design I | ||
| Adv. Stage Lighting Des. II | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 40 | |
Major with Concentration in Performance (40 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THEA 270 | Beginning Acting | 3 |
| THEA 280 | Elements of Design for Theatre Production | 3 |
| THEA 561 | History of the Theatre I | 3 |
| THEA 562 | History of the Theatre II | 3 |
| THEA 490 | Theatre Capstone Course | 3 |
| or THEA 578 | Play Direction I | |
| Select two hours from the following: 1 | 2 | |
| Laboratory Theatre Production | ||
| Theatre Running Crew Laboratory. | ||
| Select two hours from the following: | 2 | |
| Theatre Performance Laboratory | ||
| Stage Management Laboratory | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| THEA 240 | Beginning Voice and Speech | 3 |
| THEA 370 | Intermediate Acting | 3 |
| THEA 372 | Acting from a Physical Point of View | 3 |
| THEA 390 | Beginning Acting for the Camera | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Acting I | ||
| Advanced Acting II | ||
| Advanced Acting for the Camera | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Make-up Design for Theatre and Film | ||
| Voice and Speech Studio | ||
| Literature and Performance | ||
| Theatrical Imagery | ||
| Japanese Culture and Society through Theatre | ||
| Movement Laboratory | ||
| Inner Mastery Thought Movement | ||
| Independent Study and Research | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Voice and Speech for the Actor. | ||
| Accents and Dialects for the Actor | ||
| Voice Over and Voice Acting | ||
| Musical Theatre Workshop | ||
| Applied Theatre Arts | ||
| Voice and Movement: Practice and Performance | ||
| History of Modern Theatre | ||
| African American Theatre | ||
| Dramatic Theory I | ||
| Dramatic Theory II | ||
| Dramaturgy | ||
| Advanced Acting I | ||
| Advanced Acting II | ||
| Rehearsal and Performance | ||
| Rehearsal and Performance | ||
| Special Topics in Physical Theatre | ||
| Play Direction I | ||
| Play Direction II | ||
| Film as Performance | ||
| The Articulate Body | ||
| Film and Television Acting | ||
| Special Topics in Theatre | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 40 | |
Major Map
A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.
Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.