Theatre & Film Major
The theatre and film major at Saint Joseph's University nurtures creative expression and technical proficiency while fostering intellectual curiosity and cultural awareness. Students declare a concentration in film/TV, musical theatre or theatre.
Goal 1: Develop creativity and voice.
Outcome 1.1: Students will be able to create work that expresses their creativity and unique voices within the performing arts and film.
Goal 2: Interpret theatre and/or film in support of creative work.
Outcome 2.1: Students will be able to analyze important aspects of performing arts and film in written and oral work.
Goal 3: Study the intersections of performing arts and film with history and social practice.
Outcome 3.1: Students will be able to examine and analyze the relationships between theatre and/or film, history, and culture, orally and in writing.
Goal 4: Prepare students for entry into professional careers or graduate studies.
Outcome 4.1: Students will be able to demonstrate career preparation through experiential learning opportunities and individual projects that develop creative, technical, analytical, and/or problem-solving skills.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
Select three (3) courses total from at least two (2) of the following categories:
- ART: Art Studio Course
- ART: Art History Course
- COM: Communications Studies Course
- ENG: Any English Course
- CSC: Computer Science Courses
- CAS: Any chair-approved CAS course in Cinema Studies presented from the perspective of an independent discipline (i.e. Sociology, Psychology, Political Sciences, etc.)
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses: | ||
| MTF 161 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| or MTF 162 | History of Broadway Musical | |
| or MTF 191 | Introduction to Film | |
| MTF 263 | Acting I 1 | 3 |
| MTF 284 | Digital Filmmaking | 3 |
| MTF 496 | Senior Project 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following tracks to complete major: | ||
| Track 1 – Theatre Concentration | ||
| Stagecraft | ||
or MTF 267 | Prod Design: Theatre & Film | |
| Theatre Performance Practicum | ||
or MTF 262 | Theatre Production Practicum | |
| Acting II | ||
| Directing for the Stage | ||
| Theatre History | ||
| Styles of Acting | ||
| Track 2 - Musical Theatre Concentration | ||
| Music Fundamentals | ||
| Music Theory I | ||
| Theatre Performance Practicum | ||
| Acting II | ||
or MTF 363 | Styles of Acting | |
| Musical Theatre Performance | ||
| Musical Theatre Dance Styles | ||
Four semesters of private voice lessons | ||
| Track 3 - Film/TV Concentration | ||
| History of Narrative Film | ||
| Screenwriting | ||
or MTF 283 | Series Screenwriting | |
| Short Film Production | ||
| Episodic Series Production | ||
| Directing for Film/TV | ||
Select one of the following Film/TV electives: 3 | ||
Production Courses | ||
| Filmmaking Methods | ||
| Acting for the Camera | ||
| Producing & Business of Film | ||
| Series Screenwriting | ||
| Documentary Film | ||
| Commercial Production | ||
| Genre Film Workshop | ||
| Advanced Screenwriting | ||
| Advanced Light, Camera, Design | ||
| Sound Design | ||
| Editing & Post-Production | ||
| Documentary Workshop | ||
| Professional Production Studio | ||
Studies Courses | ||
| History of Television | ||
| Black American Cinema | ||
| Genre Film Studies | ||
| American Film | ||
| European Cinemas | ||
| Five Films | ||
| Non-Western World Cinemas | ||
| Major Figures in Film | ||
| Film Theory & Criticism | ||
| Special Topics in Film | ||
- 1
MTF 263 Acting I may be replaced by MTF 163 Stagecraft, MTF 265 Directing for the Stage, or MTF 267 Prod Design: Theatre & Film for Film/TV Track.
- 2
See course description below for explanation of the department’s capstone experience.
- 3
If a student will be writing a Thesis for their Senior Project, they are required to take MTF 391- Film Theory and Criticism; if they will be writing a feature screenplay, they are required to take MTF 382 –Advanced Screenwriting.
Free Electives
11-13 courses, depending on how many required courses in variable core and choice of major concentration.