Course Descriptions

DRAM 7501 - Special Topics

DRAM 7559 - New Course in Drama

DRAM 7620 - Mentored Study in Sound Design

Faculty-guided study in an area of sound design or technology not covered in the established curriculum.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program and instructor permission.



Credits: 3

DRAM 7630 - Production Laboratory: Technical Direction

DRAM 7640 - Production Laboratory: Technical Direction

DRAM 7660 - Technical Direction

Furthers technical directors’ skills through the study of advanced principles of scenery technology, construction, shop organization, purchasing, planning, and organization of crews to complete a production.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing M.F.A. program



Credits: 3

DRAM 7680 - Construction

Furthers technical construction skills through the study of traditional and contemporary theories of staging, pragmatic application of scenic construction systems; including wood, fabric, plastics and steel.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing M.F.A. program



Credits: 3

DRAM 7690 - Mentored Study: Technical Direction

A faculty-guided study in an area of technical theatre not covered in the established curriculum.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.



Credits: 3 to 9

DRAM 7920 - Design: Psychology of Space, Light and Attire

Studies design for the actor, exploring the power of the visual world and the role of the designer in shaping the world of the play in contemporary production. Projects teach the student to express concepts using the designer’s tools.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.



Credits: 2

DRAM 7993 - Independent Study

DRAM 8010 - Heritage of Design

A study of significant theatrical designers who have made significant contributions to the contemporary theory and practice of costume, light, and scenic design. Scholarly research will be conducted in select historical collections and archives.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8100 - Figure Drawing

This course focuses primarily on the human form to study line, tone, mass, proportion and composition. Additional subjects that enhance the understanding of the figure might include interior/exterior spaces and still-life. Students will be introduced to various drawing techniques and media. The emphasis will be on the creative process and the art of “drawing to know.”



Credits: 1 to 2

DRAM 8130 - Production Laboratory: Lighting

DRAM 8140 - Production Laboratory: Lighting

DRAM 8150 - Lighting Design 2: Alternative Forms

DRAM 8160 - Lighting Design 3: Special Topics

DRAM 8190 - Mentored Study: Lighting

A guided study which gives students the opportunity to explore with a faculty member areas of lighting design and/or technology which are not contained in the established curriculum.
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.



Credits: 3 to 9

DRAM 8230 - Production Laboratory: Scenery

DRAM 8240 - Production Laboratory: Scenery

DRAM 8250 - Scenic Design 2: Design Studio-The Classics

Study and creation of classical period scenic design. An examination of design for classical, Shakespearean, and 16-18th century plays.
Prerequisite: DRAM 7100, 7260
corequisite: DRAM 8270.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8270 - Period Decor

DRAM 8290 - Mentored Study: Scene Design

DRAM 8310 - History of Dress and Textiles

DRAM 8330 - Production Laboratory: Costume

DRAM 8340 - Production Laboratory: Costume

DRAM 8350 - Costume Design: Character

DRAM 8360 - Costume Design: Production Styles

Examines advanced production forms with application of design principles to fully developed projects selected from plays, musicals, opera, ballet, and film, as appropriate to the student’s progress and focus. Emphasizes versatility and experimental solutions to contemporary design challenges.
Prerequisite: DRAM 8350.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8370 - Costume Technology:Advanced Patterning and Draping

DRAM 8380 - Costume Technology: Tailoring

DRAM 8390 - Mentored Study: Costume

DRAM 8410 - Movement: Stage Combat Skills

Examines the art and craft of stage fighting, comparing its historical context with that of the theater. Focus is on the practical performance of the illusion of physical aggression and its dramatic intent, following the safety guidelines and techniques recommended by the Society for American Fight Directors.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing MFA program.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8420 - Movement: Period Movement and Dance

Examines the social history of Western culture and its dramatic use in plays set between the 16th-19th centuries. Focus is on skills acquisition of the movement specific to each period, creative application to performance, and research skills for development of character.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing MFA program.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8430 - Voice: Shakespeare and Verse

Explores speaking and acting verse, focusing on scansion, language analysis, verbal improvisation, and personalization using Berry, Rodenburg, and Wade techniques. Actors score and interpret poetic and dramatic material, integrating text analysis with emotional expressiveness. Emphasizes heightened language texts, primarily Shakespeare.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing MFA program.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8440 - Musical Theatre Performance

Integration of song into scene work and the examination of special problems posed for the actor/singer. Focuses on character’s song presentation within the context of a musical play.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8450 - Acting: Shakespeare

Performers work for vocal and physical embodiment of Shakespeare’s language. Examines the mechanics and structures of poetic language and includes research and exploration of historical and contemporary approaches to Shakespearean performance.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing MFA program.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8460 - Acting: Period Styles

Focuses on making informed performance choices in period plays based on aspects of structures such as: dramatic text, historical period, culture and society, and production concepts.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing MFA program.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8470 - Acting: Production and Performance

DRAM 8480 - Acting: Production and Performance

DRAM 8490 - Acting: Performance Lab II

DRAM 8500 - History of Acting and Directing

This seminar has a two-fold purpose: 1) to survey the development of Modernist performance trends in American theater by examining the theory and practice of master directors and actors. 2) to explore the Postmodern practice of recent master artists.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8501 - Special Topics

DRAM 8559 - New Course in Drama

DRAM 8630 - Production Laboratory: Technical Direction

DRAM 8640 - Production Laboratory: Technical Direction

DRAM 8650 - SPFX Special Effects

Explores advanced techniques in special effects and the materials used to create them. Laboratory assignments establish a basic proficiency in creating special effects using methods of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Includes using a vacuum form machine, plastic foams, casting, mold making, pyrotechnics, blood, ghosts and illusions, using fire arms on stage, and atmospheric effects.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8670 - Properties

Materials and methods of stage property construction. Includes projects in molding and casting, foam sculpting, upholstery, and furniture construction.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8680 - Rigging

Studies traditional and contemporary entertainment rigging systems; investigates current practices of rigging, their equipment, and the materials involved.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

DRAM 8690 - Mentored Study: Technical Direction

DRAM 8998 - Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research

DRAM 8999 - Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research

DRAM 9060 - Thesis

DRAM 9130 - Production Laboratory: Lighting

DRAM 9140 - Production Laboratory: Lighting

DRAM 9150 - Lighting Design 4: Portfolio

Critical assessment of the lighting student’s portfolio and résumé leading to the creation of a professional body of work. Tailors design and presentation projects to student’s needs.
Prerequisite: DRAM 7160, 8150, and 8160, or instructor permission
corequisite: DRAM 9060.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9170 - Advanced Lighting Technology

Explores advanced stage lighting technologies including MIDI show-control, automated fixture programming, complex cuing, and effect sequencing.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9190 - Mentored Study: Lighting

A guided study which gives students the opportunity to explore with a faculty member areas of lighting design and/or technology which are not contained in the established curriculum.
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.



Credits: 3 to 9

DRAM 9230 - Production Laboratory: Scenery

Participation in the production program of the curriculum, crediting work in the preparation and performance of scenic designs.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.



Credits: 2

DRAM 9240 - Production Laboratory: Scenery

Participation in the production program of the curriculum, crediting work in the preparation and performance of scenic designs.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.



Credits: 2

DRAM 9250 - Scene Design 3: Design Studio-Alternative Styles

Studies advanced production forms including operas, musicals, and dance productions or ballets. Involves solving design issues directly related to music and its influence on the stage picture.
Prerequisite: DRAM 7100, 7260, 8250, 8270.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9290 - Mentored Study: Scene Design

DRAM 9330 - Production Laboratory: Costume

Participation in the production program of the curriculum, crediting work in the preparation and performance of costume designs.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.



Credits: 2

DRAM 9340 - Production Laboratory: Costume

Participation in the production program of the curriculum, crediting work in the preparation and performance of costume designs.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program.



Credits: 2

DRAM 9350 - Costume Design: Portfolio and Design

Critical assessment of the student’s portfolio and résumé leading to the creation of a professional body of work. Tailors design and presentation projects to student’s needs.
Prerequisite: DRAM 8360.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9370 - Costume Technology: Crafts

Examines traditional and innovative products and practices used in the execution of contemporary design of accessories and special costume pieces including period, fantasy, special effects, and spectacle.
Prerequisite: DRAM 8370 or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9380 - Costume Technology:Creative Draping

A Challenging explortion for the students with designs that combine unusual materials and techniques with traditional dressmaking for stage purposes.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing M.F.A. program.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9390 - Mentored Study: Costume

A faculty-guided study in an area of costume design and/or technology not covered in the established curriculum.
Prerequisite: graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.



Credits: 3 to 9

DRAM 9400 - Mentored Study: Acting

DRAM 9410 - Community Outreach Projects

Designing and executing one to three theatre projects with groups outside of the University and outside of traditional theatre organizations. Thirty hours of community outreach contact required.
Prerequisite: Third year M.F.A. student.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9420 - Devised Theatre

Examines the developmental process in the creation of new work driven solely by the actor or acting company. Applies performance skills with communication of individual artistry.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9430 - Voice: Dialects

Studies the dialects most commonly employed in theatre. Methodology includes practice with taped dialects, interviews with authentic dialect speakers, phonetic representation, and research into specific cultural aspects influencing structural formation and sound.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing MFA program.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9450 - Acting: Physical Theatre

Practical work on refining physical, or nonverbal, communication in performance. Using text-based or devised work, will apply skills in ensemble and/or solo performance to uncover storytelling through the physical language of the body.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9460 - Acting: Portfolio Preparation

DRAM 9470 - Acting: Production and Performance

DRAM 9480 - Acting: Production and Performance

DRAM 9490 - Performance Lab

DRAM 9501 - Special Topics

DRAM 9559 - New Course in Drama

DRAM 9620 - Technical Design

Studies structural analysis for application to theatrical scenic construction with application to theatrical scenic shifting systems. Students learn basic physics concepts and employ those principles in practical terms by solving stage shifting problems. Develops pragmatic structural design approaches for technical direction and design.
Prerequisite: DRAM 8670, 7680, 7660 or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

DRAM 9630 - Production Laboratory: Technical Direction

DRAM 9640 - Production Laboratory: Technical Direction

DRAM 9690 - Mentored Study: Technical Direction

A faculty-guided study in an area of technical theatre not covered in the established curriculum. Repeatable up to 9 credits.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing M.F.A. program or instructor permission.



Credits: 1 to 3

DRAM 9710 - Playwriting XI: The Full-Length Play I

DRAM 9720 - Playwriting XII: The Full-Length Play II

DRAM 9730 - Dramaturgy II

DRAM 9950 - Production Laboratory: Playwriting

DRAM 9960 - Production Laboratory: Playwriting

DRAM 9993 - Independent Study

DRAM 9998 - Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research

DRAM 9999 - Non-Topical Research, Preparation for Research

EALC 5559 - New Course in East Asian Literatures and Cultures

EALC 5559 - New Course in Korean

EAST 8998 - Non-Topical Research: Prepaation for Research

EAST 8999 - Non-Topical Research

ECON 5090 - Introduction to Mathematical Economics I

Studies topics in univariate and multivariate calculus and linear algebra. Includes applications to the theory of economic statics.
Prerequisite: One semester of calculus and one additional semester of college mathematics, or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

ECON 5100 - Introduction to Mathematical Economics II

Studies topics in the theories of difference and differential equations and dynamic optimization. Includes applications to the theory of economic dynamics.
Prerequisite: ECON 5090 or instructor permission.



Credits: 3

ECON 5352 - British Economic History Since 1850

Studies the structure, performance, and policy in the British economy since 1850, focusing on the causes and consequences of Britain’s relative economic decline.
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.



Credits: 3

ECON 5520 - Special Topics in Economics

Graduate students combine course work in an upper-level undergraduate economics course with additional special assignments. Because topics vary with instructor, this course may be repeated for credit
Prerequisite: Graduate standing and instructor permission.



Credits: 3

ECON 5559 - New Course in Economics

ECON 5720 - Econometric Methods

Meets concurrently with ECON 4720. Studies the application of statistical methods to the testing and estimation of economic relationships. Emphasizes applied econometric studies and the problems that arise when analyzing time series and cross section data by means of stochastic linear models.
Prerequisite: Math 1220 and one of the following statistics courses: ECON 3710, ECON 3720, STAT 3120, STAT 3220, APMA 3110, APMA 3120, or permission of instructor.



Credits: 3

ECON 7010 - Microeconomic Theory I

Studies the theory of consumer and producer choice. Includes partial equilibrium analysis of competitive and imperfectly competitive markets.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or instructor permission.



Credits: 3