Dramatic Media
Dramatic Media is storytelling by way of the stage or screen, through the fusion and study of text, performance, design, and technology.
Major in Dramatic Media: 32 hours, including DRAM 111 (twice), 132, 236, 237, 334, 436; nine hours from 231, 232, 233, or 238; six hours from 331, 332, 333, 335, 337, or 338.
Supporting courses: six hours from art, music, ENG 438 (Drama), COM 373, or COM 479 (Film) to be chosen in consultation with an academic advisor in Dramatic Media.
Minor in Dramatic Media: 18 hours, including DRAM 132; nine hours from 231, 232, 233, 237, or 238; six hours from DRAM 331, 332, 333, 335, 337, or 338.
DRAMATIC MEDIA
DRAM 101. Dramatic Media Ensemble (0:0:1)
DRAM 111. Dramatic Media Ensemble (1:0:1)
A course enabling participants in the production of dramatic media performance to receive academic credit for their contributions. The student will gain hands-on experience in several of the various participation areas of production. May be repeated for up to four hours of credit.
DRAM 102. Dramatic Skills Laboratory (0:0:1)
DRAM 112. Dramatic Skills Laboratory (1:0:1)
Instruction developing the integration of vocal, physical, and mental capabilities for the craft. One session per week. Instructor or departmental approval required. May be repeated for up to four hours of credit. Credit/no-credit grading.
DRAM 132. Introduction to Dramatic Media (3:3:0)
A basic course designed to acquaint the student with the various elements of dramatic media, including text, performance, design, technology, literature, and historical context.
DRAM 231. Scriptwriting Fundamentals (3:3:0)
A foundational course in writing for dramatic media, including the stage and screen, with special emphasis on the elements of storytelling, structure, and format. Students will showcase their developing skills with specific “short” projects in a variety of performance contexts, including student productions.
DRAM 232. Design Fundamentals (3:3:0)
A foundational course in design for dramatic media, including the stage and screen, with special emphasis on appropriate tools, media, and application. Students will apply their developing skills through direct study of, and contribution to, faculty-designed productions.
DRAM 233. Technology Fundamentals (3:3:0)
A foundational course in technology for dramatic media, including the stage and screen, with special emphasis on appropriate tools, applications, and safety. Students will apply their developing skills through direct study of, and contribution to, faculty-designed productions.
DRAM 236. Content and Company (3:3:0)
A course exploring the creation of content and the dynamics of production companies. Students will study the creative process in dramatic media, from germination to completion, with special emphasis on strategies for cultivating personal and collective productivity. Attention to career planning and market forces will provide further context.
DRAM 237. Digital Applications Fundamentals (3:3:0)
A foundational course in digital media applications for dramatic media, with special emphasis on scripting, pre-visualization, audio-visual production, post-production, archival and distribution. Students will apply their developing media skills to original short projects.
DRAM 238. Acting Fundamentals (3:3:0)
A foundational course in performance for dramatic media, with special emphasis on relaxation, character analysis, and basic systems of acting. Students will showcase their developing skills in a variety of performance contexts, including student productions.
DRAM 331. Scriptwriting Seminar (3:3:0)
An advanced exploration of writing for dramatic media, including the stage and screen, building upon skills previously learned. Students will showcase their advanced skills with specific “full-length” projects in a variety of performance contexts. Finished work will provide material for potential student productions, allowing student writers to work with directors, actors, designers, and technicians. Seminar courses are repeatable up to 3 times, assuming no repetition of specific subject matter. Prerequisite: DRAM 231.
DRAM 332. Design Seminar (3:3:0)
An advanced exploration of design for dramatic media, including the stage and screen, building upon skills previously learned. Special focus will rotate, allowing for intense study of various genres, styles, and media. Students will showcase their advanced skills by providing design support for student productions, allowing student designers to work with writers, directors, actors, and technicians. Seminar courses are repeatable up to 3 times, assuming no repetition of specific subject matter. Prerequisite: DRAM 232.
DRAM 333. Technology Seminar (3:3:0)
An advanced exploration of technology for dramatic media, including the stage and screen, building upon skills previously learned. Students will showcase their advanced skills by providing technology support for student productions, allowing student technicians to work with writers, directors, actors, and designers. Seminar courses are repeatable up to 3 times, assuming no repetition of specific subject matter. Prerequisite: DRAM 233.
DRAM 334. Texts and Context (3:3:0)
An advanced survey of the literature and history of dramatic media, including stage and screen. Students will read and react to a variety of texts, informed by historical perspective, helping them to contextualize their developing skills within the broader scope of dramatic media. Prerequisite: DRAM 132
DRAM 335. Directing Seminar (3:3:0)
An advanced exploration of directing for dramatic media, including the stage and screen, with the primary emphasis alternating each year. This course will integrate skills previously learned in performance, design, and technology. Students will showcase their developing skills in directing with specific “short” projects in a variety of performance contexts, including student productions, allowing student directors to work with writers, actors, designers, and technicians. Directing seminar may be repeated once. Prerequisites: nine hours from DRAM 231, 232, 233, 234, or 238; 3 hours from DRAM 331, 332, 333, 334, or 338.
DRAM 337. Digital Applications Seminar (3:3:0)
An advanced exploration of digital media applications for dramatic media, with special emphasis on modeling, compositing, motion graphics, audio-visual production, post-production, archival and distribution. Students will apply their media skills to original projects, or in support of current production. Prequisite: DRAM 237.
DRAM 338. Acting Seminar (3:3:0)
An advanced exploration of acting techniques and applications for dramatic media. Special focus will rotate, in conjunction with faculty productions, allowing for intense study of various genres and styles. For example, during production of a Shakespearean play, the seminar would emphasize period style acting for Shakespeare. Seminar courses are repeatable up to 3 times, assuming no repetition of specific subject matter. Prerequisite: DRAM 238.
DRAM 379. Special Topics (3:X:X)
An in-depth analysis of a selected topic in dramatic media, to be announced at the time of scheduling the course. May be repeated for credit when topics are changed.
DRAM 410, 420, 430. Independent Study (X:X:X)
Specialized individual research, performance, or projects for students capable of independent work in special areas of dramatic media. Prerequisite: 12 hours in Dramatic Media.
DRAM 419, 429, 439. Internship (X:X:X)
A program of part-time and/or full-time experience related to the student’s area of interest in dramatic media. One such example might involve working with a professional theatre company. Prerequisite: 12 hours in Dramatic Media.
DRAM 436. Capstone Project (3:3:0)
An advanced project intended to serve as the culmination of work done in dramatic media. Students, in consultation with the faculty, will be assigned a final project to be completed in the senior year. This project will showcase a student’s specialized skills in writing, performance, design, or technology, through direct exhibition in the current season. Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of faculty.
