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Degree Pathway for the Bachelor of Arts in English, Theatre Arts Concentration, Fall 2015 to Spring 2017

Sample Degree Pathway for English - Theatre Arts Concentration


For students who entered fall 2015 to spring 2017.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total16
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I / FYSH (CW)3
FAHS.1090First Year Seminar1
MATH.xxxxMath Persp. (MATH) - MATH.1110 (QL) recommended43
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 1 & Culture3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total15/16
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
ENGL.2xxxFoundations course23
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 2 & Culture3
xxxx.xxxxScience with/Lab Persp. (SCL)3/4
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total15
THEA.3110Play Production (AIL)3
ENGL.2xxxFoundations course23
xxxx.xxxxTheatre Elective33
xxxx.xxxxSTEM Persp. (STEM)3
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 3 & Culture or World Ready Elective13

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
ENGL.2xxxFoundations course2 - ENGL.2330 Play Analysis (CTPS)3
xxxx.xxxxTheatre Elective33
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 4 & Culture or World Ready Elective13
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
ENGL.4230 /
ENGL.4240
Shakespeare 1 or 2 (WOC), (IL)3
ENGL.xxxxDramatic Literature Elective3 (DCA), (SRE)3
xxxx.xxxxTheatre Elective33
xxxx.xxxxArts and Hum. Persp. (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxScience with/Lab Persp. (SCL)3/4
Total15/16

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
ENGL.xxxxDramatic Literature Elective3
xxxx.xxxxTheatre Elective33
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Persp. (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxWorld Ready Elective1 or Free Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree, Minor, or Theatre Elective3
Total15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total13/15
THEA.xxxxCapstone Course1-3
xxxx.3/4xxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxTheatre Elective or Free or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree, Minor or Theatre Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3

Spring Semester

Course#Course NameCredits
Total15
xxxx.3/4xxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxTheatre Elective or Free or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree, Minor or Theatre Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
Total Minimum Credits = 120

1World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture/history/literature/film related to that language, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.

2Theatre Arts has three foundations courses: Play Analysis, British Literary Traditions, and American Literary Traditions. They may be taken in any order.

3There are several different varieties of Theatre Electives, with a required distribution. These can be taken in any order; see the list of Theatre Electives and specific categories and distribution requirements below. One literature elective must fulfill the Department’s Diverse Traditions requirement. Some students may satisfy the Diverse Traditions requirement with a 2000 level course and should consult with their advisors to be sure that they will also satisfy both the DCA & SRE ELOs. 

4Quantitative Literacy (QL) is fulfilled outside the English major. The department recommends that all majors take MATH.1110 which fulfills both the Math Breadth of Knowledge requirement and the Quantitative Literacy ELO. See QL course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill this requirement.

A minimum of 37 credits, appropriately distributed, is required for the Theatre Arts major:

  • In order to graduate, students must earn a cumulative 2.200 grade point average in their coursework for the Theatre Arts major.
  • Students must complete 18 credits with the “ENGL” prefix and 13 credits of “THEA” prefix courses. They may then select additional THEA or ENGL courses to complete the major. See below for details on various categories and requirements.
  • Students must complete a capstone course in Theatre in their senior year (see options below). The capstone may be a one-credit course.
  • At least one course must fulfill the department's Diverse Literary Traditions requirement; consult with your adviser or see the list in the SIS advising report.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment. See the catalog policy for details.

Required Courses

The Theatre Arts Concentration consists of 37 credits. Of these, a minimum of 18 credits of “ENGL” course work and 13 credits of THEA coursework are specifically required; students may select from either course group for the remaining 6 required credits.

Each of the following 2000-level foundation courses is required (9 credits):

One of the following courses in Shakespeare is required (3 credits):

Students must take Play Production at least once (3 credits):

  • THEA.3110 Play Production (3cr; may be repeated for credit)

At least two courses in Dramatic Literature/Theatre History Electives (6 credits):

At least one course in Performance Electives (min. 3 credits):

At least one course in Creative Electives (min. 3 credits):

At least one course in Technical Theatre Electives (min. 3 credits):

  • THEA.2210 Stagecraft
  • THEA.3110 Play Production (3cr; may be repeated for credit)
  • THEA.4920 Technical Theatre Practicum (1-3cr; may be repeated for credit)

Two additional 3-credit Theatre Arts Electives (either ENGL or THEA) in any of these areas:

Students need to take two more courses (6 credits) in any one of the four areas listed below; see course lists in each of these sub-sections above for specific options. Students should choose these courses from the area in which they wish to specialize.

  • Dramatic Literature/Theatre History
  • Performance
  • Creative
  • Technical Theatre

A capstone course is required (may be a one-credit course):

  • THEA.4930 Practicum in Theatre (1-3 credits; may be repeated for credit)
  • THEA.4940 Directed Study in Theatre (1-3 credits; may be repeated for credit)
  • THEA.4950 Senior Seminar in Theatre (1cr)

Optional: An additional 17 credits in THEA and ENGL electives may be taken (0-17 credits):

Additional courses (up to 17 credits within the 54 credit limit) may be taken in literature, theatre, or writing. For students contemplating graduate school in the discipline, additional 3000 or 4000 level theatre or dramatic literature courses are recommended. 

Note: Theatre Arts students are not required to take a minor, but they may wish to do so. Depending on the student's career goals and interests, several different minors may be appropriate. All students are encouraged to discuss possible minors with their academic advisers.