Degree Requirements and Courses
Learn more about certificate and degree requirements, course content, recommended sequence, and schedule.
Theatre Arts AA-T Degree
Provides students with a common core of lower division courses required to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts in the CSU system.
Associate in Arts for Transfer | SC Program: AA-T.1004
Theater majors build confidence and public speaking skills, learn how to work together as a team, hone study skills, and develop critical thinking abilities. These are degree benefits that can help you in all areas of your life.
The Theatre Arts program is academically grounded in the liberal arts tradition of literature, performance, cultural studies, history, philosophy, and technical skills. It also provides a hands-on, learn-by-doing environment that gives students experiences and skills to complement many career paths. Employers find theatre trained applicants become valuable employees because they have developed excellent communication and problem-solving skills, confidence, and the ability to work cooperatively with a diverse team of people.
Choose your path
Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.
A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.
Fall Semester, First Year
16 Units TotalENGL 1A
GE
4
College Composition
ENGL 1A
Note: For students who would benefit from further instruction and individual support while taking their first college-transfer level English course, ENGL 1AX is a recommended alternative to ENGL 1A.
This course develops the reading, critical thinking, and writing skills necessary for academic success, emphasizing expository and argumentative writing as well as research and documentation skills. As a transferable course, it presupposes that students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. A research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course develops the reading, critical thinking, and writing skills necessary for academic success, emphasizing expository and argumentative writing as well as research and documentation skills. As a transferable course, it presupposes that students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. A research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
HUM 2
GE
3
Exploring the Humanities
HUM 2
This course is designed to explore the humanities by examining expression of human values, ideas, concerns, and experience through the arts, literature, media and the social sciences. The reading of important works in the humanities, written analysis, and attendance at selected performances are major requirements of this course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 1
GE
3
Introduction to Theatre Arts
THTR 1
This course is a survey of Theatre Arts, theatre history, playwrights, practitioners, genres, production methods, dramatic structure, performance style, plays, terminology, history, criticism, and stagecraft. Students will develop an appreciation for the theatre arts through lectures, play reading, viewing, critiquing, and participating in college productions. This course fulfills the Arts requirement for General Ed Transfer. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 12
M
3
Acting I
THTR 12
This course prepares a student to apply basic acting theory to performance and develops the skills of interpretation of drama through acting. Special attention is paid to skills for performance: memorization, stage movement, vocal production, and interpretation of text. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 23
M
3
Mainstage Production I
THTR 23
In this fundamental course, students rehearse, prepare and perform a Mainstage play. Play selections vary each time this course is taught. Production activities may include acting, stage management, stage operations, costuming, stagecraft, and front-of-house operations. While the course is required for theatre majors, non-majors are welcome. Students may enroll more than once for this course until reaching the maximum number of 4 total units.
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Spring Semester, First Year
13 Units TotalSOC 3
3
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
SOC 3
This course is an introduction to the basic statistical methods and analyses commonly used in the behavioral sciences. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics; levels and types of measurement; measures of central tendency and dispersion; normal, t, and chi-square distributions; probability and hypothesis testing; and correlation and regression. Applications of statistical software to the behavioral sciences and/or other social science data is required. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ENGL 1B
Pre.
GE
3
Literature and Composition
ENGL 1B
This course emphasizes the development of critical thinking and writing skills through close study of the major genres of literature: poetry, drama, short story and novel. Students receive further instruction and practice in analytical writing, developing arguments about literary works and the critical reception of those works. In discussion and writing, students will also examine arguments as such, learning to identify sound as well as fallacious reasoning in critical assessments of literature. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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CMST 54
GE
3
Small Group Communication
CMST 54
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.
This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with an emphasis on small groups. Subjects covered are preparation for discussion, group participation, leadership, decision-making, interpersonal relations, managing diversity, critical thinking/problem-solving, managing conflict, and evaluation of group interaction. Students will be involved in group interactions, and emphasis will be on practical experience. College-level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines, and short essays. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with an emphasis on small groups. Subjects covered are preparation for discussion, group participation, leadership, decision-making, interpersonal relations, managing diversity, critical thinking/problem-solving, managing conflict, and evaluation of group interaction. Students will be involved in group interactions, and emphasis will be on practical experience. College-level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines, and short essays. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
THTR 13
M
3
Acting II
THTR 13
This course follows Acting I and continues the exploration of theories and techniques used in preparation for the interpretation of drama through acting. The emphasis will be placed on deepening the understanding of the acting process through character analysis, monologues, and scenes. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 26
M
1
Mainstage Production II
THTR 26
This course focuses on the rehearsal and performance of a major play or musical. Activities may include acting, stage management, backstage operations, costuming, stagecraft, and front of house operations. Play selections vary each time this course is taught. Students may enroll more than once for this course until reaching the maximum number of 6 total units.
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Fall Semester, Second Year
15 Units TotalETHS 1
GE
3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
ESCI 6
GE
4
Ancient Life
ESCI 6
Note: Required day field trips.
This course is a survey of past life presented through geologic and biologic investigation. This course is interdisciplinary in nature and provides geologic background and evidence for the origination and evolution of life. Associated methodologies and concepts presented include geologic time and its measure, chemical and organic evolution, controls on evolution, cladistic analysis, ancient ecologic reconstruction, mass extinction and adaptive radiation, fossilization, and ancient geographic distributions of flora and fauna. Anatomical innovations that define major classes of organisms are traced through ancestor-descendant relationships. Laboratory exercises include processes of fossilization, fossil recognition, cladistic analysis, genetics, stratigraphy, reconstruction of ancient biologic communities, ancient geographic reconstruction through fossil information, functional morphology, mass extinction and adaptive radiation in the fossil record. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is a survey of past life presented through geologic and biologic investigation. This course is interdisciplinary in nature and provides geologic background and evidence for the origination and evolution of life. Associated methodologies and concepts presented include geologic time and its measure, chemical and organic evolution, controls on evolution, cladistic analysis, ancient ecologic reconstruction, mass extinction and adaptive radiation, fossilization, and ancient geographic distributions of flora and fauna. Anatomical innovations that define major classes of organisms are traced through ancestor-descendant relationships. Laboratory exercises include processes of fossilization, fossil recognition, cladistic analysis, genetics, stratigraphy, reconstruction of ancient biologic communities, ancient geographic reconstruction through fossil information, functional morphology, mass extinction and adaptive radiation in the fossil record. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
POLS 2
GE
3
Introduction to American Government
POLS 2
Advisory: ENGL 1A or English Placement Level 7 or higher.
This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
THTR 34
M
2
Makeup
THTR 34
This course is designed to introduce the student to the principles and practical application of stage makeup. Emphasis will be given to facial structure, character analysis, makeup selection and application, facial modeling, three-dimensional techniques, false hair, and corrective makeup. The student will demonstrate his/her understanding through actual application in the classroom and as a member of a makeup crew for a specific play production, special exercise, or project. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 41
Lab
3
Theatre Laboratory
THTR 41
In this laboratory course students will receive supervised practical experience and training in theatrical productions. Students may work progressively in one or more of the following areas: scenery construction, fabrication and rigging; console operations; stage management; lighting; sound; costumes; wardrobe; properties; make-up; publicity; house management; concessions; and running crews. Upon approval of the instructor, students may direct and participate in the preparation, rehearsal, and performance of student directed productions. Play selections vary each time this course is taught. Students may enroll more than once for this course until reaching the maximum number of 4 total units.
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Spring Semester, Second Year
16 Units TotalHIST 17A
GE
3
United States History
HIST 17A
Advisory: ENGL 1A with a grade of C or higher
This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
BIOL 10
GE
3
General Biology
BIOL 10
Note: BIOL 10 will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.
This course is an introduction to the major concepts of modern biology. Topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, heredity, and nature of genes, evolution, diversity of life, and principles of ecology. Emphasis will be placed on those aspects of biology that are rapidly reshaping our culture. This course may be offered in a distance education format. This course will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.
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This course is an introduction to the major concepts of modern biology. Topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, heredity, and nature of genes, evolution, diversity of life, and principles of ecology. Emphasis will be placed on those aspects of biology that are rapidly reshaping our culture. This course may be offered in a distance education format. This course will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.
MUS 14
GE
3
World Music
MUS 14
World Music is an exploration of the musical traditions of selected and representative world musical cultures. Students will learn the basic elements of music, and the different ways to organize music that are connected with various cultural traditions. Students will learn about the intersection of World Music and Cultural Anthropology. This course may be offered in a distance education format. World Music satisfies the Music Core program, and both the GE Humanities and the Multicultural electives.
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PSYC 1A
GE
3
General Psychology
PSYC 1A
Advisory: College-level writing skills
This course provides an introduction to psychology, the study of the mind and behavior, as a science and as an applied field. The course provides an integration of physiological, cognitive, social-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, cultural, and evolutionary perspectives. Topics include research methods, the nervous system, perception, learning, thinking, memory, human development, social behavior, emotions, motivation, personality, abnormal behavior, and psychotherapy. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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This course provides an introduction to psychology, the study of the mind and behavior, as a science and as an applied field. The course provides an integration of physiological, cognitive, social-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, cultural, and evolutionary perspectives. Topics include research methods, the nervous system, perception, learning, thinking, memory, human development, social behavior, emotions, motivation, personality, abnormal behavior, and psychotherapy. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
THTR 38
Lab
1
Makeup Lab
THTR 38
This lab course is designed to develop the student's skills introduced in Theatre 34, Makeup. Emphasis will be given to corrective character analysis, makeup selection and application techniques. The student will demonstrate his/her understanding through actual application in the classroom and as a member of a makeup crew for a specific play production, special exercise, or project. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 81
M
3
Script Analysis and Playwriting
THTR 81
This course is an in-depth examination of the elements of the dramatic script. The course consists of four main areas of investigation: critiquing the script; playwrights; plotting and theatre conventions; creating and analyzing motivated characters. This course will guide the student toward creating scripts and analyzing their problems and help them distinguish drama from the performed theatre, such as scenarios for action. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.
*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:
- California State Universities – General Education
- IGETC – Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).
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