Coordinator
Greg Doran, English
Coordinating Committee
David F. Buck, Classics
Scott Lee, Modern Languages
Geoffrey Lindsay, English
Shannon Murray, English
Stacey MacKinnon, Psychology
Susan Brown, History
Terry Pratt, Professor Emeritus of English
Richard Raiswell, History
Andrew Zinck, Music
Departmental website
Theatrical performance is one of the most significant art forms in the history of civilization; it exemplifies the connection between Art and people. Unlike most forms of studied literature, dramatic literature is intended to be performed for and experienced by an audience. As a result, Dramatic literature exists between scholarly and practical realms. It requires the acquisition of both analytic and practical skills. UPEI’s Minor in Theatre Studies offers students the opportunity to develop their analytic, practical, and creative skills required for theatrical production. The Minor in Theatre Studies provides students with foundational skills on which they can pursue their interest in the Theatre, or any area of study.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN THEATRE STUDIES
A Minor in Theatre Studies consists of twenty-one (21) semester hours of credit taken from the list of approved courses. English 195, Theatre 244, Theatre 344, and Theatre 444 are compulsory for the Minor. Prospective students should note, however, that Theatre 444 requires students to make a significant contribution to a Theatre Studies production, or another production approved by the Coordinator of Theatre Studies. Theatre 444 will, typically, be only offered in the Winter Term of the academic year. Students enroled in Theatre 444 will be under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of Theatre Studies, or an approved supervisor. In addition, students must select three elective courses. Students using any of the approved courses to complete the Minor in Theatre Studies may not also use them to complete a Major.
THEATRE STUDIES CORE COURSES
ENGLISH 195 INTRODUCTION TO DRAMA
See English 195.
THEATRE 244 INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE STUDIES
This course introduces students to the foundational elements of the theatre. It provides students with a variety of performance skills, including voice, movement, and character development. Students also study performance theories, such as those of Stanislavski and Viola Spolin, and theatrical elements. Using a selection of plays from a variety of historical periods, students gain practical experience in developing the core practical skills associated with drama production and performance.
Cross-Listed with English (English 244).
PREREQUISITE: Permission of the Instructor.
Three hours a week.
THEATRE 344 ADVANCED THEATRE STUDIES
This course introduces students to the advanced elements of the theatre, and builds on the foundational skills acquired in Theatre 244. The course explores advanced character development, directing, design, dramaturgy, performance theories (such as those of Michael Bloom and Peter Brook), and theatrical elements. Using a selection of plays from a variety of historical periods, students gain practical experience in developing the skills of advanced drama production.
Cross-Listed with English (English 344).
PREREQUISITES: Theatre 244 and permission of the Instructor.
Three hours a week.
THEATRE 434 SPECIAL TOPICS IN THEATRE STUDIES
PREREQUISITE: One of Theatre 244, 344, or 444, or the permission of the Coordinator of Theatre Studies. For course information, please contact the Coordinator of Theatre Studies.
Three hours a week
THEATRE 444 THEATRE PRACTICUM
This course provides students with a laboratory where they can put the skills and theories learned in Theatre 244 and 344 into practice in a production situation. Students are expected to make a significant contribution to this production, which is either under the direction of the Co-ordinator of Theatre Studies or is a supervised placement with a professional or semi-professional theatre company.
PREREQUISITES: Theatre 244, Theatre 344, English 195, and the permission of the Coordinator of Theatre Studies.
Three hours of credit.
ELECTIVES
NOTE: Students who are in the Majors or Honours English programs are recommended to take at least one elective outside the English Department.
English
222 Reading Film: Introduction to Film Studies
255 Introduction to Shakespeare
285 Linguistics I : The Sound System of English
303 Contemporary Drama
315 English-Canadian Drama
341 Modern Drama
355 Shakespeare’s Comedies and Histories
357 Renaissance Drama
367 Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Drama
455 Advanced Studies in Early Modern Literature
Classics
212 Ancient Tragedy
222 Ancient Comedy
Fine Arts
FAS 111 Studio Arts
Modern Languages (French)
339 Théàtre Canadienne-Français
344 XVIIe Siecle: Le Grand Siecle II
Theatre Studies
434 Special Topics in Theatre Studies
Directed Studies
With the approval of the Coordinator, the Dean of Arts, and the relevant Department, a student may credit three hours of Directed Studies in any subject towards the Minor in Theatre Studies.
