John Jay College Of Criminal Justice | The City University of New York

Description. The Theatre Arts Minor is structured to give students an overview of drama and theatre, in terms of history, performance, and criticism. The curriculum involves the student in both the practical and theoretical aspects of the theatre process. The minor offers ample opportunities for students to apply their skills onstage and/or backstage.

In addition, the Theatre Arts minor affords opportunities to enhance creativity, time management, and communication skills that are useful in virtually any professional area. John Jay College’s proximity to Lincoln Center and New York City’s theatrical district provides students with opportunity for utilization of performing arts libraries, organizations, theatres, and internships.

The Theatre Arts minor concludes with a 3-credit 300-level theatre course or Capstone Project chosen by the student, under the guidance of a member of the theatre faculty. This project will provide the student with the opportunity to demonstrate acquired proficiency in an area of performance, production, criticism, and/or scholarship.

A successful Theatre Arts minor will:

• Know what is meant by Theatre, in particular what distinguishes it from drama and film.
• Develop a general understanding and appreciation of major periods of theatre history and major pieces of dramatic literature with perspectives in western and non-western traditions and gender and ethnic identities.
• Identify the characteristics of the major theatre genres, and know how each of these genres and styles have engendered distinctive forms of playwriting, acting, directing, and theatrical design.
• Enhance critical thinking and writing skills through literary analysis of important dramatic works of classical and contemporary drama.
• Acquire the ability to analyze scripts and critically assess those elements that contribute the theatre process.
• Apply drama-based skills in non-theatrical environments, for example business, law, criminal justice settings, healthcare, and education.
• Acquire cultural capital through exposure to professional theatre in the NYC area.

Credits. 18

Minor coordinator. Professor Seth Baumrin, Department of Communication and Theatre Arts (sbaumrin@jjay.cuny.edu, 212.237.8130)

Part One. Foundations                                                    Subtotal: 3 credits

Required     

DRA 110 Introduction to Theatre

Part Two. Theory and Practice                                       Subtotal: 6 credits

Select two

DRA 115 Improvisational Theatre 
DRA 185 Drama in Production I
DRA 213 Acting I 
DRA 214 Acting II 
DRA 233 Sociodrama I 
DRA 207-208 Stagecraft
DRA 201 Introduction to Playwriting
DRA 2XX Drama in Production II
SPE 209 Voice and Diction for the Professionals

Part Three. Theatre Literature, History & Criticism         Subtotal: 6 credits

Select two

DRA 205 Contemporary Theatre
DRA 212 History of the Drama I
DRA 222 History of the Drama II
DRA 225 Criminal Justice in the Theatre
DRA 245 Women in Theatre
DRA 247 Gender on Stage and Screen
DRA 217/LLS 217/SPA 217 Latina/o Theatre in the USA
DRA 230/AFR 230 African-American Theatre

Part Four. Upper-Level Requirement                                 Subtotal: 3 credits

Select one

DRA 301 Directing
DRA 325 Drama Techniques in Crisis Intervention
DRA 309-310 Topics in Theatre

                                                                                             Total: 18 credits