Theatre Arts MA, Theatre Studies Specialization

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Theatre Studies

The theatre studies specialization is specifically designed for students with career goals in dramaturgy, teaching in higher education, or pursuing a PhD in theatre history, research, literature, or criticism. The program is designed to build the research and analytical skills needed for an academic career in theatre. This Resident Program focuses on the dramaturgical aspects of production, as well as individual scholarly interests related to theatre arts. With opportunities to both teach and undertake research projects in theatre, this program offers the perfect blend of pedagogy and theory needed to prepare students for careers as theatre scholars. A limited number of teaching or research assistantships are available to qualified candidates for the academic year. Out-of-state tuition waivers are also available to qualified candidates.

General Requirements of the Program
Students will complete a thesis/project or comprehensive examination. See the student handbook for more information on policies and procedures.

Thesis: This option is appropriate for those who wish to pursue a PhD, either immediately after receiving the MA or at some point in the future. A thesis is a lengthy monographic work (usually 50 to 150 pages long) that addresses a topic of importance to theatre scholars in an original way.

Written examination: This option consists of an eight-hour written exam given at the end of one’s graduate career. It is designed for students who do not plan to pursue a PhD in theatre.

Admission Requirements
Theatre Studies Specialization

Incoming candidates are expected to meet both the requirements for admission to the graduate programs at Central and the following requirements:

A writing sample, preferably in the discipline, of at least five pages.
Permission of the faculty, which may include prerequisite or background courses.

The GRE is required for admission to this specialization and a foreign language is required as a graduation requirement.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of teaching or research assistantships are available to qualified candidates for the academic year. Assistantships are appointed by the dean of Graduate Studies and Research upon recommendation of the department chair. No assistantship covers summer programs.

Assistantship applications must be completed by February 16 in order to insure full consideration; applicants should submit all materials required by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. Contact them at (509) 963-3101 to request application materials or visit www.cwu.edu/masters.

Theatre Arts MA Core

Required Core

TH 501 - Introduction to Graduate Studies Credits: (1)
TH 510 - Theatre Literature, Theory and Criticism I Credits: (4)
TH 511 - Theatre Literature, Theory and Criticism II Credits: (4)
TH 700 - Master’s Thesis Project Credits: (1-6) (Must be taken for 4 credits.)

Total Required Core Credits: 13

Theatre Studies Specialization

The theatre studies specialization is designed to build the research and analytical skills students will need for academic careers in theatre.
Through opportunities for hands-on dramaturgical experience, teaching, and theatre research, this program offers the perfect blend of theory and practice needed to prepare students for entry into PhD programs, begin teaching careers, and/or professional theatre dramaturgical positions for which they are well qualified.

The program is offered entirely during the academic year requiring a minimum two academic year residency or equivalent.

Program Requirements
A minimum of 45 credits is required for the theatre studies specialization. Thesis credits are included in the minimum. An oral examination and defense of the thesis is required.

In addition to the MA Theatre core of 13 credits, the student must complete the following:

Required Courses

Component 1: Research and History

TH 505 - Research Methods Credits: (2)
TH 525 - Theatre History Ancients-Renaissance Credits: (3)
TH 526 - Theatre History Renaissance-Modernism Credits: (3)
TH 527 - Theatre History Modernism-Contemporary Credits: (3)
TH 700 - Master’s Thesis Project Credits: (1-6) (Must be taken for 2 credits, in addition to the 4 credits in the core, for a total of 6 credits.)

Component 2: Dramatic Literature

Select a minimum of 10 credits from the following:

TH 512 - Studies in Gender Issues Credits: (5)
TH 513 - Studies in World Drama Credits: (5)
TH 514 - Studies in Asian Drama (On reserve as of 9/16/15) Credits: (5)
TH 515 - Studies in Ethnic Drama (On reserve as of 9/16/15) Credits: (5)
TH 518 - Studies in Early Modern Drama Credits: (5)
TH 519 - Studies in Drama and the State (Put on Reserve 9/16/16) Credits: (5)
TH 598 - Special Topics Credits: (1-6)
TH 599 - Seminar Credits: (1-5)

Component 3: Focal Area

Select a minimum of 9 credits of the following:

TH 540 - Contemporary Directing Credits: (3)
TH 541 - Styles in Acting and Directing Credits: (3)
TH 587 - Theatre Pedagogy Credits: (4)
TH 588 - Dramaturgy Credits: (3)
TH 589 - International Applied Studies Credits: (1-6)
TH 593 - Dramaturgical Practicum Credits: (1-3)
TH 599 - Seminar Credits: (1-5)

Component 4: Foreign Language

In order to place students in the best position possible for entry into nationally recognized PhD programs, a minimum of two years of at least one foreign language at the undergraduate level with a minimum grade of B or higher in all terms is required. This may be completed prior to admission or while enrolled in the Theatre Studies Program.

Total Required Courses Credits: 32

Total Credits: 45

College and Department Information

Theatre Arts Department
College of Arts and Humanities