To see course descriptions, choose one of the options below.

Speech / Theatre Electives

The following English classes may be taken in addition to other classes.

ADVANCED SPEECH AND COMMUNICATION (3518) Elective – 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit 1 – Semester
*AHD – Elective
PREREQUISITE: Speech

Advanced Speech and Communication continues with the skills learned in Speech. Major emphasis is given to the producing of formal speeches. The course focuses on leadership development, listening skills, oral interpretation, parliamentary procedure, research methods, and oral debate. Students are given opportunities to express the subject matter knowledge and content through various writing experiences as well as reading a variety of literary genre related to course content and speaking experiences. Special attention is given to the creating of a complete outline and support, using two or more sources, as well as individual presentation skills. Students concentrate on producing speeches that: (1) inform; (2) motivate; (3) entertain; and (4) persuade through the use of impromptu, extemporaneous, memorized, and manuscript delivery. Students develop skills in: (1) listening, (2) oral interpretation, (3) parliamentary procedures, (4) research methods, and (5) oral debate.

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THEATRE ARTS (3521)
Elective – 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit 1 – Semester
*AHD - Fine Arts
PREREQUISITE: None

Instruction in this course enables students to: (1) improvise and write plays or scenes; (2) imaginatively express thoughts, feelings, moods, and characters; and (3) apply techniques involving voice, gesture, facial expression, and body movement to reproduce the subtleties of language and voice inflection in conveying emotion and meaning. Students are introduced to warm-up activities for body and voice, including mime activities. Students develop skills enabling them to speak clearly and expressively with: (1) appropriate articulation, (2) pronunciation, (3) volume, (4) stress, (5) rate, (6) pitch, (7) inflection, and (8) intonation. Using knowledge gained through the study of technical theatre and scripts, students focus on solving the problems faced by actors, directors, and technicians. They also refine their abilities to collaborate on performances, and they learn to constructively evaluate their own and others’ efforts.

Study also includes activities from a variety of historical and cultural contexts. Students develop critical thinking skills through studying examples of theatre criticism followed by analyzing and evaluating live performances. Career opportunities in the theatre arts are also explored.

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ADVANCED THEATRE ARTS (3531)
Elective – 10, 11, 12
Credit 1 - Semester
*AHD - Fine Arts
PREREQUISITE: Theater Arts or instructor permission

Instruction in this course builds upon the skills developed in the Theatre Arts (L) course. Activities enable students to: improvise dialogue which produces characterizations in a variety of settings and forms; identify the physical, social, and psychological dimensions and qualities of characters in texts of plays; create consistent characters from a variety of theatrical works, either in class or in informal productions, demonstrating effective management of emotions as an individual and as a character; construct personal meanings from a variety of performances, including the self-evaluation of personal work, which leads to further development of various skills and abilities;
write scripts for theatre, film, or television, in both traditional and new forms; demonstrate analytical skills by explaining roles, comparing various forms of artistic expression and interpretation, and discussing their relationship to cultural values and historical contexts;
understand the interrelationships among the functions of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, producers, and technicians;
refine interpersonal and collaborative skills by identifying and resolving conflicts effectively; and explore the historical tradition and the repertoire of the theatre.

This course also allows students to expand upon their ability to make artistic decisions and evaluations by discussing and critiquing live performances. Examination of career opportunities includes instruction in the auditioning and interviewing processes.

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Last updated Wednesday, January 31, 2007