May 20, 2024  
ARCHIVED 2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Academic Calendars
  This is North Central
  Admission
  Student Expenses
  Financial Aid
  Campus Life and Student Services
  Academic Regulations
  The Academic Program
  Departments and Programs
  Majors, Minors and Programs of Study
  Integrated Five-Year Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
  Course Descriptions
  Directories
  Campus Map
HELP
ARCHIVED 2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

The courses listed herein   have been approved by the faculty as authorized by the Board of Trustees.  Prerequisites (if any) and the General Education Requirement(s) which each course fulfills (if any) are noted following each course description.

If a course qualifies as an Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education course, then an IAI code appears to the right of the course title.
 

Theatre
  

  • THE 116 - Theatre Practicum II

    0.00-2.00 credit hours
    Theatre is studied through the staging, mounting, and production of a faculty-directed, all-College theatrical production. Students must hold major performance roles or take on major production positions to enroll. This course is repeatable up to a maximum of four credit hours earned. Students are expected to take this course for credit unless they will exceed 12 hours in the term.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 115  and instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 145 - Musical Theatre Dance I

    1.50 credit hours
    (Same as: HPE 145 .) An introductory course in jazz, ballet and tap techniques for the stage. The course includes instruction in the history and theory of musical theatre, dance and the basic building blocks of choreography. This course assumes no prior dance experience and is open to all students interested in dance training for performance. This course may be repeated for credit once.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 175 - Introduction to Theatre

    3.00 credit hours
    A comprehensive overview of the process of creating theatre productions, this course explores theatre through criticism, history, design and aesthetic principles.

    Core: Humanities.
    IAI: F1 907


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 180 - Stagecraft

    3.00 credit hours
    Stagecraft incorporates fundamental skills that are required to move a scenic design from inception to construction and completion. In this course, students will gain knowledge of basic construction and painting techniques for stage scenery. Tool use and stage/shop equipment will be mastered along with the safety rules that are essential and mandatory for running an effective scenic shop.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 182 - Fundamentals of Acting

    3.00 credit hours
    Designed for students with previous acting experience, including high school and/or community theatre, this course consists of exercises in voice, movement, improvisation and text study. The course seeks to give the student an awareness of what acting is in both theory and performance. Presentation of scenes and attendance at productions are required.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 185 - Fundamentals of Theatrical Design

    3.00 credit hours
    This course covers the fundamentals of the process of designing for the theatre. Students will work on developing a fully realized design from the initial textual analysis through the collaborative process of working with the director and other designers. Students will explore basic theories and design principles including script analysis, research methodology, conceptual development, color theory, balance and proportion, visual composition and other elements of design. Students will also learn practical skills including drawing techniques, figure drawing, drafting and modeling.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 190 - Stage Management

    3.00 credit hours
    This course serves as an introduction to the administrative work of the stage manager, while exploring the relationship between the artistry and execution of producing plays and musicals. Students study production protocols, create a prompt book and learn the forms and formats needed to maintain professional standards while working with directors, actors, and the technical crew.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 207 - Musical Theatre Workshop I

    0.00-1.00 credit hours
    The relationships of music and drama studied through the staging, mounting and production of an all-College musical. This course is repeatable up to a maximum of six credit hours. Students are expected to take this course for credit unless they will exceed 12 hours in the term.

    Prerequisite(s): Instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 208 - Musical Theatre Workshop II

    0.00-2.00 credit hours
    The relationship of music and drama studied through the staging, mounting and production of an all-College musical. Students must hold major performance roles or take on major production positions to enroll. This course is repeatable up to a maximum of four credit hours. Students are expected to take this course for credit unless they will exceed 12 hours in the term.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 207  and instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 221 - Voice Lessons: Musical Theatre

    0.00, 0.50, 1.00 credit hours
    Available to all students. May be repeated. 1/2 hour lessons=0.50 credit; 1 hour lessons=1.00 credit; 0.00 credit option is only for students who have reached 12 credit hour full time limit.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 240 - Voice and Movement

    3.00 credit hours
    This class focuses on the human voice and body as an instrument of communication both on stage and in everyday life. The course seeks to give the student an understanding of voice and movement and their use as expressive tools for the performance.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 182  or instructor’s consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 245 - Musical Theatre Dance II

    1.50 credit hours
    (Same as: HPE 245 .) An extension of Musical Theatre Dance I. This course has its emphasis in jazz, tap and ballet techniques as applied to musical theatre at an intermediate level. This course also covers choreography in jazz and tap, and auditioning techniques. This course may be repeated for credit once.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 145 /HPE 145  or instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  
  

  • THE 247 - Contemporary Modern Dance

    0.00-1.50 credit hours
    (Same as HPE 249 .) A study of classical modern dance techniques combined with modalities of yoga, pilates, taichi and post-modern techniques. Students will become equally proficient in traditional modern technique and the latest developments in contemporary dance. Repeatable course.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 245 /HPE 245  or instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  
  

  • THE 250 - Acting for the Musical Stage

    3.00 credit hours
    A practical application of the actor’s craft to musical theatre performance, with emphasis on transitioning from scene to song. Students will explore the acting methods used specifically for the musical stage. Students combine script analysis, character analysis, choreography and acting through the song itself for the purposes of both auditions and performances.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 182 .


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  
  

  • THE 254 - Choreography

    1.50 credit hours
    A choreography workshop that explores the technique and skills required to create dance and movement for the stage. The course explores methods of approaching various types of work, from musical staging to dance numbers. Repeatable course.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 245 /HPE 245  or instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  
  

  • THE 257 - Dance History

    3.00 credit hours
    A study of the history of Western theatrical dance from the first court ballets in the late 16th century through early 21st century Postmodernism. The course explores the dances, choreographers, dancers and theories in the cultural context of each period.

    Core: Humanities.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 265 - American Musical Theatre

    3.00 credit hours
    A study of the American musical theatre from the 19th century to present. Composers and librettists covered include George M. Cohan, Victor Herbert, Jerome Kerr, Rodgers and Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim. Field trip to an area production is required.

    Core: Humanities.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 270 - Directing

    3.00 credit hours
    The course serves as an introduction to the art of directing plays for the theatre. It utilizes background information and experience with acting, stagecraft and dramatic literature to provide the groundwork for discussion of various approaches to, and techniques of, play production. The course culminates in the public performance of student-directed short scenes and one acts.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 182  and Sophomore standing.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  
  

  • THE 282 - Contemporary Acting Styles

    3.00 credit hours
    This course builds on the ideas and work of THE 182 . More advanced and intensive scene work is integrated with voice, movement and textual improvisation during the term.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 182 .


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 285 - Costume Design

    3.00 credit hours
    The design and construction of costumes is an essential part of the creation of any theatrical production. It is critical that a costume designer be capable of understanding the needs and tone of a production and the characters that exist within that production. In addition, a designer must be able to clearly communicate his or her ideas in order to create a strong working relationship with the other members of a production team including the director and performers. This course aims to introduce students to the role of the costume designer in a production, as well as providing them with the basics knowledge and skills to be able to successful perform the tasks associated with that role.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 185  and ART 225 .


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 290 - Scenic Design

    3.00 credit hours
    The scenic designer is the person charged with the responsibility of finding the form of the physical world of the play. In order to accomplish this task, the designer must develop and call upon a number of skills. In this course students work with some of the problems scenic designers encounter in their attempts to find and develop form, and learn the process of developing design solutions.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 185 .


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 343 - Improvisation

    3.00 credit hours
    This course builds on the improvisational skills introduced in THE 182  and THE 282 . More advanced and intensive improvisational work is integrated with performance theory, research and advanced critical thinking during the term.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 182  and Sophomore standing.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 346 - Advanced Jazz Dance

    0.00-1.50 credit hours
    A continued study of jazz technique including more complex steps and sequences. Emphasis on technique and styling. This course is repeatable once for credit.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 246 /HPE 246  or instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 348 - Advanced Tap Dance

    0.00-1.50 credit hours
    A continued study of tap dance technique with more complex steps, variations, sequences, rhythmic patterns, increased tempo and duration. Emphasis is on technique, musicality and styling, including an introduction to improvisation. Tap shoes are required. This course is repeatable once for credit.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 248 /HPE 248  or instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 350 - Advanced Performance Styles/Musical Theatre

    3.00 credit hours
    This courses examines the different vocal techniques and movement styles necessary for musical theatre. It focuses on a performer’s approach to developing a song in the context of contemporary musical theatre, examining the work in terms of structure and content. This course may be taken twice.

    Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing; one of THE 282 , two terms of MUS 221  or instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 352 - Advanced Ballet

    0.00-1.50 credit hours
    This course continues the development of all beginning areas of ballet, and expands the ballet vocabulary. This course may be repeated for credit once.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 252 /HPE 252  or instructor consent.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 353 - Acting on Camera

    3.00 credit hours
    This course explores the acting methods used for film and television. Students are trained in camera techniques used for commercial, industrial, film and television auditions. Students work in front of the camera each week, utilizing actual copy from popular shows, commercials and movies. Students leave this course audition ready. The course includes extensive scene memorization, class discussions, performance critique writing and journal self-assessment writing.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 182 .


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 355 - Business of Theatre

    3.00 credit hours
    This course explores the requirements for the business portion of theatre, from building a theatrical resume to selecting a head shot, to registering with an agent. The course includes several field trips to visit experts in specialized areas of theatrical business. The course includes establishing a small business for the actor.

    Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 359 - Theatre History and Literature I

    3.00 credit hours
    A study of the theatre and its literature from its ancient beginnings through the English Restoration. The course explores the drama, productions, theories, personages and physical theatre in the cultural context of each period.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 361 - Theatre History and Literature II

    3.00 credit hours
    A study of the theatre and its literature from the 19th century Age of Romanticism to the present day. The course explores the drama, productions, theories, personages and physical theatre in the cultural context of each age.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 363 - Classical Asian Theatre

    3.00 credit hours
    A survey of classical Asian theatre traditions, including the Noh, Kabuki and Bunraku theatres of Japan; Beijing Opera and Yuan drama of China; Sanskrit and Kathakali dance dramas of India; Korean p’ansori dramas and mask dances; and the Balinese Dancers of Indonesia. The course explores the ways in which these performance traditions reflect each country’s heritage, religion and culture.

    Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing.
    ACR: Intercultural.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 365 - Design Skills - Drafting, Model Making and Rendering

    3.00 credit hours
    This course aims to develop the skills required for the communication of designs for a theatrical environment. One third of the class will be spent on hand drafting, focusing on the creation of 2D drawings that give detailed information regarding the layout and look of a scenic design. The second third will be spent on model making techniques, providing 3D information on the design. The final third will focus on rendering techniques such as linear perspective, shade and shadow and watercolor rendering.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 185 ; ART 107  strongly recommended.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 382 - Classical Acting Styles

    3.00 credit hours
    An advanced acting class focusing on period styles and an actor’s approach to the Classics. Scene study includes the plays of Ancient Greece, Shakespeare, Moliere and the Restoration.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 182  and Sophomore standing.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  
  
  
  
  

  • THE 450 - Senior Musical

    3.00 credit hours
    This is the capstone course for Musical Theatre majors. Graduating seniors work with the faculty advisor to select the show, divide responsibilities for production, and present a fully mounted production on the stage.

    Prerequisite(s): Musical Theatre major and Senior standing.
    ACR: Leadership, Ethics and Values.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 460 - Collaboration

    3.00 credit hours
    Designed to give students a clearer, more mature understanding of the way in which members of a production team can work together to create a theatrical production. Designers, directors, performers and writers will have the opportunity to work together while developing processes for utilizing each other’s strengths to create imaginative and powerful works of theater. While students will present and critique these final performances, the focus of this course is the process by which those performances came to be. The aim is that students will leave this course with developed leadership skills, cooperative working relationships and more sophisticated creative processes.

    Prerequisite(s): One of THE 270 , THE 280 , THE 282 , THE 285  or THE 290 .


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 470 - Devising Theatre: Radical and Community-Based Performance

    3.00 credit hours
    This course explores three overlapping subfields in theatre and performance studies: devised theatre (also referred to as collective creation), radical theatre and community-based theatre. The course begins with an exploration of the terms “devised,” “radical” and “community.” The remainder of the course proceeds with a case study model; it examines a variety of ways theatre practitioners have imagined relationships between radicality, community and performance. Students split their time equally between making performance and reading/writing about performance theory.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • THE 482 - Period Styles

    3.00 credit hours
    This course could be described as an integration of body, mind and voice techniques for the purpose of developing a way to conventionalized period acting. For the intermediate and advanced student actor, this course places primary emphasis on the development of characterization techniques, participation in physical and vocal acting exercises, and practical performance application through stylistic scene and monologue work. Period/Styles covered in this course include the following: Ancient Greek, Commedia, Restoration Comedy and Absurdism.

    Prerequisite(s): THE 282  and THE 382 .


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  
  
  

Urban and Suburban Studies
  

  • USS 300 - Urban and Suburban Studies

    3.00 credit hours
    Interdisciplinary exploration of the cultural and sociological dimensions of metropolitan regions. The course is international in scope, explores both cities and their suburbs and provides the opportunity to examine leadership, ethics and values in a metropolitan context through the concept of social justice.

    ACR: Intercultural.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  

  • USS 325 - Leadership and Place

    3.00 credit hours
    (Same as: LEV 325 .) Leadership and Place traces the influence of home towns and home places on contemporary and historical leadership paradigms while considering such ethical questions as: What role does place play in forming a responsible and responsive leader? How does one lead responsibly and well far from home? How and where do rural, urban, and suburban ethical standards and value judgments converge and diverge? Where have the leaders of the past come from and where are they likely to be found in the future? Paying close attention to small communities and neighborhoods as key loci in the production of twentieth-century civic leaders and as ethical centers in a Jeffersonian republic, course texts, lectures and discussions feature real-life case studies designed to engage students in debates weighing ethical and moral positions viewed through the lens of place. Leadership and Place uniquely encourages students in the study of personal (inside-out) as well as cultural (outside-in) place-based, ethical perspectives while inviting them to consider the foundational role home communities play in ethical leadership on the local, regional and national level.

    Prerequisite(s): Junior Standing.
    ACR: Leadership, Ethics and Values.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
  
  

Verandah
  

  • VER EXP - Verandah Experience

    0.00-1.00 credit hours
    This short-term, topics-based course supports unique opportunities for student and faculty engagement in a special inquiry, activity or other initiative that fosters connected learning. Repeatable course, with varying topics. A maximum of four credit hours may be applied towards the 120 credit hours required for graduation. The course is graded on a Pass/No Pass basis.


    Click here for the schedule of classes.
 

Page: 1 <- Back 10 … 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13