Catalog : Degree Pathway for the Bachelor of Arts in English, Theatre Studies Concentration, Fall 2025 and Beyond

For students who entered fall 2025 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Minimum Credits = 120

Minimum [major] Credits: 36

Maximum [major] that can be counted toward graduation: 54

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: ENGL.2330 Play Analysis, ENGL.3820 World Theatre I: Ancient Greece to 18th Century OR ENGL.3830 World Theatre II: 19th Century to the Present, and THEA.2300 Foundations of Theatrical Design

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 and 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 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 . 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 36 credits. Of these, a minimum of 15 credits of “ENGL” course work and 12 credits of THEA coursework are specifically required; students may select from either course group for the remaining 9 required credits.

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

• ENGL.2330 Play Analysis
• ENGL.3820 / ENGL.3830 World Theatre I: Ancient Greece to 18th Century / World Theatre II: 19th Century to the Present
• THEA.2300 Foundations of Theatrical Design

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

• ENGL.4230 Shakespeare I
• ENGL.4240 Shakespeare II

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):

• ENGL.2100 Drama
• ENGL.2180 Comedy
• ENGL.3440 Women in Theatre (Diverse Traditions/DCA)
• ENGL.3480 Modern American Drama
• ENGL.3590 Contemporary World Drama (Diverse Traditions/DCA)
• ENGL.3600 Medieval and Renaissance Theatre
• ENGL.3610 Restoration Comedy
• ENGL.3620 Modern Drama
• ENGL.3630 English Renaissance Drama
• ENGL.3640 African-American Drama (Diverse Traditions/DCA)
• ENGL.3820 Theatre History 1
• ENGL.3830 Theatre History 2
• ENGL.4230 Shakespeare I
• ENGL.4240 Shakespeare II

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

• THEA.2610 Acting 1
• THEA.2620 Acting 2
• THEA.2650 Voice and Movement for Actors
• THEA.3400 Directing Workshop
• THEA.3640 Performing Shakespeare
• THEA.4900 Performance Practicum (1cr; may be repeated for credit)

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

• THEA.2300 Foundations of Theatrical Design
• THEA.3400 Directing Workshop
• THEA.4010 Topics in Theatre
• ENGL.3040 Creative Writing: Playwriting

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 3-credit capstone course is required:

• ENGL.4230 Shakespeare I
• ENGL.4240 Shakespeare II
• THEA.4010 Topics in Theatre
• THEA.4930 Practicum in Theatre  
• THEA.4940 Directed Study in Theatre

Optional: An additional 18 credits in THEA and ENGL electives may be taken (0-18 credits):

Additional courses (up to 18 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.