B.A. in Theatre Education

Contact Person:
Leslie Delosh, Department Secretary,
(315) 267-2556, deloshle@potsdam.edu

Chair:
James W. Pecora
238 Satterlee, (315) 267-2547, pecorajw@potsdam.edu

66-70 credits required. Plus 8 credits of cognates.

All courses must be passed with a grade of 2.0 or higher to count towards the major.

Students of SUNY Potsdam’s undergraduate certificate in Theatre Education will graduate fully prepared to enter communities–whatever their composition–and teach theatre, integrate the art form into other disciplines and pursue advanced studies in the field. Students will graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that make one a well-educated citizen, a reflective practitioner and a principled educator.

Graduates of the program will be experienced in all facets of theatre—from the technical elements, to performance and directing, management and design. Furthermore, students will have exposure to the philosophies and practical application of drama and theatre in the classroom as well as in communities. These experiences, alongside the solid liberal arts education students receive at SUNY Potsdam, allow graduates to emerge from the program as well rounded individuals ready to seek employment in a variety of settings. Their course work in education and the pedagogy of theatre teaching will expose them to the ethical and professional responsibilities of teachers.

SUNY Potsdam supports the development of the community-minded theatre artist in its strong commitment to a liberal arts education. All graduates must have a minimum of 38 credit hours (not including modern language requirements) in general education.
  
All courses are 3 credits unless noted. Credits are divided as follows:


 Credits
Content Core: required courses 34-38
DRAM 101 Introduction to Performance Studies
DRAM 210 Interpretation and Analysis of Plays  
DRAM 251 Foundations of Design for Stage (4 credits)  
DRAM 312 Theatre History I  
DRAM 313 Theatre History II  
DRAM 414 Contemporary Theatre Topics
One of the following:
  DRAM 120   Performance Explorations  
  DRAM 235   Introduction to Acting
One of the following:    
  DRAM 205   Production Techniques: Dance/Drama/Music  
  DRAM 206   Fundamentals of Technical Theatre (4 credits)  
Three of the following:  
  DRAM 223   Costume Construction (4 credits)  
  DRAM 244   Stage Management  
  DRAM 302   Directing I  
  DRAM 331   Costume Design  
  DRAM 333   Stage Make up and Mask Design (4 credits)  
  DRAM 336   Scene Study and Realism (4 credits)  
  DRAM 337   Shakespeare and Verse  
  DRAM 338   Audition Techniques  
  DRAM 343   Advanced Stagecraft and Production
  
  DRAM 353   Scene Design  
  DRAM 355   Lighting Design for the Stage
  
  DRAM 363   Theatre for Young Audiences  
  DRAM 364   Applied Theatre  
  DRAM 403   Directing II (4 credits)  
  DRAM 438   Acting for Camera  
  DRAM 439   Comedy and Comic Styles  
  DRAM 441   Pivotal Playwrights  

Graduation Requirement: All theatre majors complete a project in the senior year with the approval of faculty adviser and department. In the case of Theatre Education Majors, student teaching (EDUC 419 and SECD 457) fulfills this requirement.

Pedagogical Core
  32
EDLS 201 Principles of Education  
EDLS 207 Literacy I (4 credits)
  
EDLS 315 Teaching Students with Special Needs: Grades 5-12  
DRAM 361 Methods Theatre Education Elementary 
  
DRAM 362 Methods Theatre Education Secondary 
  
DRAM 371 Field Experience: Pre K-5 (1 credit)  
DRAM 372 Field Experience: Secondary (2 credits)  
EDLS 415 Seminar: Issues in Theatre Education (2 credit)  
EDUC 419 Student Teaching: Pre K-6 (6 credits)  
SECD 457 Student Teaching: 7-12 (6 credits)  

Cognates		  
8
PSYC 220 Child Development  
PSYC 321 Psychology of Adolescence  
HLTH 230 School Health (2 credits)