Courses Under BA THEATRE ARTS and FINE ARTS University of Ghana – UG
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BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA) PROGRAMME OF STUDY
LEVEL 100 (All courses are compulsory for students)
First Semester
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| UGRC 110 | Academic Writing I | 3 |
| UGRC 120 | Numeracy Skills | 3 |
| UGRC 141-146 | Science and Technology in Our Lives | 3 |
| UGRC 150 | Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning | 3 |
| THEA 111 | Literary Orientation to the Theatre | 3 |
| Courses from other assigned departments | 6 | |
| Minimum Credits Required | 15 |
*Note: Students to choose any 2 courses (6 credits) of the UGRC
Second Semester
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| UGRC 110 | Academic Writing I | 3 |
| UGRC 120 | Numeracy Skills | 3 |
| UGRC 141-146 | Science and Technology in Our Lives | 3 |
| UGRC 150 | Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning | 3 |
| THEA 112 | Basics of the Living Theatre | 3 |
| Courses from other assigned departments | 6 | |
| Minimum Credits Required | 15 |
*Note: Students to choose any 2 courses (6 credits) of the UGRC
LEVEL 200 (All courses are compulsory for students)
First Semester
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| UGRC 210 | Academic Writing II | 3 |
| UGRC 220-238 | Introduction to African Studies | 3 |
| THEA 213 | History and Origins of Drama and Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 217 | The Arts of the Theatre | 3 |
| Courses from other assigned department | 6 | |
| Minimum Credits Required | 15 |
*Note: Students to choose any 1 course (3 credits) of the UGRC
Second Semester
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| UGRC 210 | Academic Writing II | 3 |
| UGRC 220-238 | Introduction to African Studies | 3 |
| THEA 212 | Play Analysis and Interpretation I | 3 |
| THEA 214 | History of Medieval Theatre and Drama | 3 |
| Courses from other assigned department | 6 | |
| Minimum Credits Required | 15 |
*Note: Students to choose any 1 course (3 credits) of the UGRC
BA LEVEL 300
SINGLE MAJOR: A Theatre Arts Major student is required to take all the core courses and the prescribed electives to obtain a minimum of 24 credits by the end of the year.
COMBINED MAJOR: A student who wishes to offer a Combined Major is required to take a minimum of 18 credits of core courses and elective by the end of the year.
MINOR: A BA student, offering Theatre Arts as a Minor is required to take 3 credits a semester to obtain 6 credits by the end of the year.
FIRST SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 331 | Play Analysis and Interpretation II (for all students) | 3 |
| THEA 345 | Dramatic Theory and Criticism (for Combined & Majors) | 3 |
| THEA 351 | History of the Theatre in Africa (for Majors only) | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 333 | History of Drama and Theatre: European 1600-1820 | 3 |
| THEA 335 | Production Participation I | 3 |
| THEA 337 | Introduction to Directing * | 3 |
| THEA 341 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| THEA 343 | Fundamentals of Radio, TV, Film and Video * | 3 |
| THEA 349 | Voice and Speech | 3 |
| THEA 353 | Writing for the Stage, Screen and Radio * | 3 |
Note: * denotes pre-requisit electives
SECOND SEMESTER
CORE COURSE
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 332 | Play Analysis and Interpretation III (for Combined & Majors) | 3 |
| THEA 334 | Drama in African Societies (for all students) | 3 |
| THEA 354 | Research Methods (for Majors only) | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 336 | Production Participation II | 3 |
| THEA 338 | Theatre Management * | 3 |
| THEA 342 | Acting * | 3 |
| THEA 344 | Drama in Education: An Introduction * | 3 |
| THEA 346 | Costume and Make-up * | 3 |
| THEA 348 | Theatre for Development * | 3 |
| THEA 352 | Introduction to Period Style | 3 |
| THEA 356 | African Film and Video | 3 |
| THEA 358 | Dramatic Writing Laboratory * | 3 |
BA LEVEL 400
SINGLE MAJOR: A student intending to major in Theatre Arts is required to take all core courses and the prescribed electives to obtain at least 30 credits by the end of the year.
COMBINED MAJOR: A student who wishes to offer a Combined Major is required to take
18 credits of core courses and a minimum of 3 credits of electives in consultation with the academic advisor to obtain a minimum of 18 credits by the end of the year.
FIRST SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 425 | Production Participation III | 3 |
| THEA 433 | African Performance Theories | 3 |
| THEA 439 | Modern West African Drama | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 427 | African-American Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 435 | Effective Communication | 3 |
| THEA 437 | Puppet Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 441 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| THEA 443 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Arts Practice | 3 |
| THEA 445 | Technical Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 447 | Investigating Cyberspace | 3 |
| THEA 449 | Film and other Arts | 3 |
| THEA 479 | Arts Review and Criticism | 3 |
Special Electives- The following courses are available for BA Level 400 students
Note * Students can specialize in One Area Only
| THEA 453 | Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 455 | Theatre for Development I | 3 |
| THEA 457 | Radio, TV, Film and Video I | 3 |
| THEA 459 | Production Management | 3 |
| THEA 461 | Directing I | 3 |
| THEA 463 | Drama in Education I | 3 |
| THEA 465 | Costume Design and Construction I | 3 |
| THEA 467 | Stage Lighting I | 3 |
| THEA 469 | Sound Design and Production | 3 |
| THEA 471 | Scenic Design and Construction I | 3 |
| THEA 475 | Dramatic Writing I | 3 |
SECOND SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 424 | African Arts and Ideas | 3 |
| THEA 436 | African Plays and Playwrights | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 426 | Oriental Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 428 | Media and Society | 3 |
| THEA 432 | Production Participation IV | 3 |
| THEA 438 | Production and Project Development | 3 |
| THEA 442 | Events Production | 3 |
| THEA 446 | Theatre and Tourism | 3 |
| THEA 448 | Modern Western Drama | 3 |
| THEA 478 | Theatre Techniques | 3 |
| THEA 482 | Theatre Business | 3 |
| THEA 484 | Drama Therapy | 3 |
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (BFA) PROGRAMME OF STUDY
Note: # denotes new course
LEVEL 100 (All courses are compulsory for students)
First Semester
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| UGRC 110 | Academic Writing I | 3 |
| UGRC 120 | Numeracy Skills | 3 |
| UGRC 141-146 | Science and Technology in Our Lives | 3 |
| UGRC 150 | Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning | 3 |
| THEA 111 | Literary Orientation to the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 113 | Theatre Workshop I | 3 |
| Courses from Dance Studies & Music | 9-12 | |
| Minimum Credits Required | 18 |
*Note: Students to choose any 2 courses (6 credits) of the UGRC
Second Semester
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| UGRC 110 | Academic Writing I | 3 |
| UGRC 120 | Numeracy Skills | 3 |
| UGRC 141-146 | Science and Technology in Our Lives | 3 |
| UGRC 150 | Critical Thinking and Practical Reasoning | 3 |
| THEA 112 | Basics of the Living Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 114 | Speech I | 3 |
| Courses from Dance Studies & Music | 9-12 | |
| Minimum Credits Required | 18 |
*Note: Students to choose any 2 courses (6 credits) of the UGRC
LEVEL 200 (All courses are compulsory for students)
First Semester
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| UGRC 210 | Academic Writing II | 3 |
| UGRC 220-238 | Introduction to African Studies | 3 |
| THEA 213 | History and Origins of Drama and Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 215 | Theatre Workshop II | 3 |
| THEA 217 | The Arts of the Theatre | 3 |
| Courses from either Dance Studies or Music | 6-9 | |
| Minimum Credits Required | 18 |
*Note: Students to choose any 1 course (3 credits) of the UGRC
Second Semester
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| UGRC 210 | Academic Writing II | 3 |
| UGRC 220-238 | Introduction to African Studies | 3 |
| THEA 212 | Play Analysis and Interpretation I | 3 |
| THEA 214 | History of Medieval Theatre and Drama | 3 |
| THEA 218 | Theatre Laboratory | 3 |
| Courses from either Dance Studies or Music | 6-9 | |
| Minimum Credits Required | 18 |
*Note: Students to choose any 1 course (3 credits) of the UGRC
B.F.A. LEVEL 300
SINGLE MAJOR: A Theatre Arts Major student is required to take core courses and theprescribed electives to obtain a minimum of 36 credits by the end of the year.
COMBINED MAJOR: A student who wishes to offer Combined Major is required to take a minimum of 18 credits of core courses by the end of the year.
MINOR: A BFA student, offering Theatre Arts as Minor is required to take 3 credits a semester to obtain 6 credits by the end of the year.
FIRST SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 331 | Play Analysis and Interpretation II | 3 |
| THEA 345 | Dramatic Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| THEA 335 | Production Participation I | 3 |
| THEA 351 | History of Theatre in Africa | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| THEA 333 | History of Drama and Theatre: European 1600-1820 | 3 |
| THEA 337 | Introduction to Directing * | 3 |
| THEA 343 | Fundamentals of Radio, TV, Film and Video * | 3 |
| THEA 353 | Writing for the Stage, Screen and Radio * | 3 |
| THEA 357 | Graphic Design | 3 |
| THEA 359 | Introduction to Lighting Design * | 3 |
| THEA 361 | Stage Management * | 3 |
| THEA 363 | Performance Practice I-Voice | 3 |
| THEA 365 | Educational Drama I * | 3 |
| THEA 367 | Community Theatre I * | 3 |
| THEA 369 | Introduction to Costume Design * | 3 |
| THEA 373 | Theatre and African Cultural Heritage | 3 |
| THEA 375 | Introduction to Set Design and Construction * | 3 |
SECOND SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 332 | Play Analysis and Interpretation III | 3 |
| THEA 334 | Drama in African Societies | 3 |
| THEA 336 | Production Participation II | 3 |
| THEA 354 | Research Methods | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| THEA 338 | Theatre Management | 3 |
| THEA 352 | Introduction to Period Style | 3 |
| THEA 356 | African Film and Video | 3 |
| THEA 358 | Dramatic Writing Laboratory * | 3 |
| THEA 362 | The Non-Fiction Film | 3 |
| THEA 364 | Performance Practice II- Acting * | 3 |
| THEA 366 | Educational Drama II * | 3 |
| THEA 368 | Community Theatre II * | 3 |
| THEA 372 | Non-Script Directing * | 3 |
| THEA 374 | Digital Story Telling | 3 |
| THEA 376 | Props Design and Construction * | 3 |
| THEA 378 | Sound Design: An Introduction * | 3 |
| THEA 382 | Introduction to Make-Up * | 3 |
B.F.A. LEVEL 400
SINGLE MAJOR: A student intending to major in Theatre Arts is required to take all core courses and the prescribed electives to obtain at least 36 credits by the end of the year.
COMBINED MAJOR: A student who wishes to offer Combined Major is required to take 12 credits of core courses and a minimum of 3 credits of electives in consultation with the academic advisor to obtain a minimum of 18 credits by the end of the year.
FIRST SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 425 | Production Participation III | 3 |
| THEA 433 | African Performance Theories | 3 |
| THEA 439 | Modern West African Drama | 3 |
| THEA 477 | Internship | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 427 | African-American Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 435 | Effective Communication | 3 |
| THEA 437 | Puppet Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 441 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| THEA 443 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Arts Practice | 3 |
| THEA 447 | Investigating Cyberspace | 3 |
| THEA 449 | Film and other Arts | 3 |
| THEA 459 | Production Management | 3 |
| THEA 479 | Arts Review and Criticism | 3 |
Special Electives- The following courses are available for BFA Level 400 Theatre Arts Majors only
Note * Students can specialize in One Area Only
| THEA 453 | Acting I | 3 |
| THEA 455 | Theatre for Development I | 3 |
| THEA 457 | Radio, TV, Film and Video I | 3 |
| THEA 459 | Production Management | 3 |
| THEA 461 | Directing I | 3 |
| THEA 463 | Drama in Education I | 3 |
| THEA 465 | Costume Design and Construction I | 3 |
| THEA 467 | Stage Lighting I | 3 |
| THEA 469 | Sound Design and Production | 3 |
| THEA 471 | Scenic Design and Construction I | 3 |
| THEA 475 | Dramatic Writing I | 3 |
SECOND SEMESTER
CORE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 424 | African Arts and Ideas | 3 |
| THEA 432 | Production Participation IV | 3 |
| THEA 436 | African Plays and Playwrights | 3 |
ELECTIVE COURSES
| COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
| THEA 426 | Oriental Theatre | 3 |
| THEA 428 | Media and Society | 3 |
| THEA 434 | Stage Make-Up | 3 |
| THEA 442 | Events Production | 3 |
| THEA 444 | Special Effects Design and Production | 3 |
| THEA 446 | Theatre and Tourism | 3 |
| THEA 448 | Modern Western Drama | 3 |
| THEA 454 | Acting II | 3 |
| THEA 456 | Theatre for Development II | 3 |
| THEA 458 | Radio, TV, Film and Video II | 3 |
| THEA 462 | Directing II | 3 |
| THEA 464 | Drama in Education II | 3 |
| THEA 466 | Costume Design and Construction II | 3 |
| THEA 472 | Scenic Design and Construction II | 3 |
| THEA 476 | Dramatic Writing II | 3 |
| THEA 482 | Theatre Business | 3 |
| THEA 484 | Drama Therapy | 3 |
Course Descriptions
THEA 111: Literary Orientation to the Theatre
This course covers introduction to literary terms and devices that constitute the basic ingredients of dramatic theory and practice. Topics to be treated include: definition of drama, elements of form and technique; structure of drama; plot, conflict, character, setting or background, technical facilities and the use of aesthetic and intellectual values in theatre practice.
THEA 112: Basics of the Living Theatre
This is a basic exploration of theatre laboratory techniques; the living stage and its technology. performance spaces evaluation and utilization. Students will study basic play text analysis and criticism, performance review and undertake rudimentary practical exercises in stage usage and movement.
THEA 113: Theatre Workshop I
This course covers the core elements involved in the collaborative theatre making process, introducing students to the principles, processes and personnel associated with performance making. Students are taken through practical hands on creative and technical exercises providing opportunities for students to rehearse, perform, and evaluate a selected text for assessment.
THEA 114: Speech I
This is an introductory course in body, voice and speech for effective communication. Students undertake exercises and practical applications in a variety of speaking contexts focusing on vocal function, breath, resonance, articulation and coping with performance stress. Other issues to be discussed include: stage fright, poise, stamina building and appropriate use of gestures.
THEA 212: Play Analysis and Interpretation I
Studies in techniques of analyzing plays and interpreting them for production or performance based on prescribed texts. There is emphasis on plot structure, inherent stylistic devices, character spines and their development in terms of dramatic action, and conflicts resolution. There is exploration of intellectual, emotional, moral and aesthetic values through interpretative exercises.
THEA 213: History and Origins of Drama and Theatre
The course discusses theories of origins of Theatre, including those of ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome with a focus on theatre architecture. Additional topics for study include: conventions and organization of theatre; the contributions of playwrights and the role of critics such as Aristotle and Horace. There is also the study of significant play texts by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides Aristophanes, Seneca, Terence and Plautus.
THEA 214: History of Medieval Theatre and Drama
This course covers the Medieval Theatre: its rebirth from the early medieval church altar as a Trope, through its full development into miracles, moralities, mysteries, or pageants performed outside the church and managed jointly by the church, the cities and trade guilds. The study further looks at medieval modes of performance and theatre organization; Renaissance Theatre and its concept of Humanism as well as its main legacies of Neo-classicism; Commedia and Le Cid are studied within their historical contexts.
THEA 215: Theatre Workshop II
This course covers body motion, eye and facial behaviour, paralanguage, touch, proxemics, physical characteristics, artifacts and environmental factors as they affect communicative exchanges. It further examines nature, origin, and use of speech and language in social, cultural, symbolic, and functional contexts; investigation and analysis of discourse and behavioural effects; significance of communication competence.
THEA 217: The Arts of the Theatre
The course focuses on theatre space and practice as well as their functions and social roles. The varied but related branches of theatre, including live stage productions, film, television and radio would be studied. The common denominator of the kinds of theatre and the varied and unique requirements for acting, directing and design will also be studied. Students will visit selected theatre halls and media studios for practical lessons.
THEA 218: Theatre Laboratory
This course offers students to undertake drills in both verbal and nonverbal exercises and assorted theatre games leading to the development of improvisational skills in a laboratory situation. Other basic skills development includes installation and control of lighting and sound equipment, stagecraft and theatre marketing technique.
THEA 331: Play Analysis and Interpretation II
This course begins with a basic argument that one type of analysis cannot fit every play and neither can one interpretive model fit every artist or collaborative team. The course journeys through the historical foundations of play analysis and the conditions that necessitated the development of alternative analytical approaches to play scripts. These alternative approaches go beyond intellectual and critical analysis to incorporate visceral approaches, which are useful to actors, directors and designers. Students will be introduced to Formalist, Historical, Biographical, Philosophical, Sociological, Psychological (Freud) analysis, and Feminist Literary Criticism as these approaches are applied to selected plays.
THEA 332: Play Analysis and Interpretation III
This is a follow-up course to THEA 331. There are more exercises offered based on plot structure, inherent stylistic devices and spine as they relate to character development in dramatic action. There is the study of African performance traditions as they inform written plays. The selected texts for analysis are those by key African playwrights.
THEA 333: History of Drama and Theatre: European 1600-1820
This is a selective approach of the study of the history of the theatre of Europe from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. Topics include: history of the theatre of England from the Restoration era to Sentimental Drama; the License Act of 1738 and the emergence of the Actor/Manager, Theatre in France with focus on some notable playwrights, including Moliere; the French Neo- some emphasis on the Sturn-und-Drang Movement and its effects; the Golden Age of Spanish Theatre.
THEA 334: Drama in African Societies
An examination and critical analysis of some of the different types of theatres in traditional African cultures, particularly with regard to the use of narrative, ceremonies, ritual dance, possession, masks or masquerades, and their roles in religious, political and social contexts. The course also covers the emergence of popular forms of theatre as a syncretism between the traditional and the contemporary in an ever-changing African society.
THEA 335: Production Participation I
This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to put into practice various theories studied under the programme. Students are required to undertake varied assignments and roles in productions directed by students and faculty in a semester. The course enables students to develop discipline, creativity and sound working attitudes to the practical theatre profession. Though students work as a team, an assigned faculty at the end of the production process individually assesses them.
THEA 336: Production Participation II
This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to put into practice various theories studied under the programme. Students are required to undertake varied assignments and roles in productions directed by students and faculty in a semester. The course enables students to develop discipline, creativity and sound working attitudes to the practical theatre profession. Though students work as a team, an assigned faculty at the end of the production process individually assesses them.
THEA 337: Introduction to Directing
This course aims at preparing students in the study of play directing and introducing them to key issues of directing text-based theatre. Students would be taken through basic theories of directing and the directing process. Finally, students would be guided to appreciate elements of theatrical design as directors. The class will combine lectures with workshop, in which The students test their skills through directing scenes from plays for assessment.
THEA 338: Theatre Management
The course focuses on the need to understand the script to establishing schedules, learning the physical layout of the theatre, preparing for and coordinating rehearsals, checking on props and scenic progress, supervising lighting, sound and scenery changes, running technical and dress rehearsals, managing backstage activities during the show and closing the show at the end of its run.
THEA 341: Stagecraft
This is an introductory course to the art of making, crafting and creating theatre visuals. It is designed to give the theatre student a general knowledge of what goes on backstage during the production process. It covers basic technical information concerning names of tools and materials as well as construction techniques for flats, props as well as scene printing, rigging and striking of sets.
THEA 342: Acting
This course introduces students to the notion of the art of acting. Students are led to investigate their personal definition of art through the practical exploration of creativity and imagination. There is a further engagement with exploring the physical and analytical demands of improvisation and play texts in relation to expression, of their own artistic vocabulary are explored through improvisation and later demonstrated through the developed ensemble performance.
THEA 343: Fundamentals of Radio, TV, Film and Video
The course introduces students to the fundamentals of Radio,TV and Video. It covers the aesthetic and technical foundations of each medium and with an emphasis on production processes for audio visual content creation that communicates meaning.
THEA 344: Drama in Education: An Introduction
This is an introductory course on the philosophy and techniques of the art of drama for children. It emphasises the art of Drama as a way of living: the means of enjoying and enriching life through experience. The course covers basic kinds of Child Drama: process of experience; performance-oriented which is concerned with short-term activities that provide practice either in theatre, or in living.
THEA 345: Dramatic Theory and Criticism
The course introduces students to analysis, evaluation and criticism of both the theories and practice of Drama. Forms like tragedy, comedy, as well as realism, naturalism and other modes would be subjected to critical examination for the purpose of grasping them. Materials for criticism, analysis and evaluation include theatre and film productions.
THEA 346: Costume and Make-Up
An introductory study of costume and make-up design for the theatre. The course will cover a panoramic view of historic costume; elements of design, fabric science, costume design and construction processes; make-up and accessories. Additionally, special focus will be given to African theatre costume and make-up for the performer in varied acts.
THEA 348: Theatre for Development
The course aims at exposing students to what development is in Africa and the elements and characteristics of Theatre. It challenges students to undertake community research projects and encourages community members to actively participate in the research process. The course equips students with project management community-based research skills and strategies for promoting community development.
THEA 349: Voice and Speech
The emphasis of this course is on character interpretation through voice and speech rhythms; the voice complements the text in building reality of character and situation. It further covers effective communication of English (General British ± GBE) as a second language through the study, practice and use of its appropriate features; the rhythm patterns of individual words; stress timed rhythm that promotes ready intelligibility, and proper intonation conveying the shades of meaning intended by the speaker.
THEA 351: History of Theatre in Africa
The course explores the evolution and diversity of theatre as it investigates major historical periods or traditions in Africa. It is intended to deliver to the student an overall appreciation of the development and significance of range of theatrical forms and styles. The course will examine regional as well as national developments and their contributions to training and practice in theatre in Africa.
THEA 352: Introduction to Period Style
The course engages students to do a survey of the periods from the Mesopotamian times to the Gothic Period. This is acheived by investigating the literature, culture, architecture, arts and the society itself, and connecting it with how these sectors contribute to the present world as well as the theatre.
THEA 353: Writing for the Stage, Screen and Radio
The course focuses on fundamental theories and techniques of writing for the stage, screen and radio. It involves elementary exercises in observation and discussion of issues such as the inception of the play, identification of theme, character development, dramatic situation and simple techniques of plot construction. Students conceive and write short pieces for stage, screen and radio for evaluation and assessment.
THEA 354: Research Methods
The course introduces students to the basics of research. The purpose of research and the process of data collection and presentation, citation of works of related literature (the various formats and sources) and the analysis and interpretation of data is part of the information students are required to imbibe. The course also considers the basic approaches to research and the sources of information available. It takes students through practical steps of research and shows them how to write research proposals and reports.
THEA 356: African Film and Video
The course generally introduces the student to audio-visual elements and investigates particularly aesthetic and basic technical principles of film and video with special focus on the survey of development and practice of film and video on the continent. A study of regional as well key national industries will be complimented by the viewing and critical discussing of selected works by notable African filmmakers. The role of continental film festivals as well as film organizations will be discussed.
THEA 357: Graphic Design
The course looks at the fundamentals of art and design, provides students with fundamentals skills in the knowledge of an industry standard software to enable the creation of effective graphic design that communicates clearly and effectively towards its intended audience. Students will be guided throughout the course to do small projects.
THEA 358: Dramatic Writing Laboratory
The course examines the writer in a social context through theories and practice in dramatic writing. Topics to be discussed include: sources of ideas, inception of dramatic writing, plot proposition and development, character motivation, conflict, climax and other dramatic devices. Students will discuss form and content as key elements in structuring a play. Several writing exercises will be undertaken for assessment.
THEA 359: Introduction to Lighting Design
This course covers fundamental principles of lighting design consisting of class projects and practical exercises in the light laboratory and theatre spaces. Topics to be treated include a survey of current lighting equipment available to the professional designer; basic lighting design; colour theory; continuing development of the design idea as it relates to dramatic text; and elements of composition.
THEA 361: Stage Management
This course is expected to offer students a good general grounding in theatre production. It aims at developing the skills of a stage manager in human resource management, budgeting, scheduling and working closely with other theatre personnel to develop an overall understanding of performance. It further equips the student to adapt to varied production setting, ranging from more traditional theatres to large-scale outdoor events. Students take on assigned roles in departmental productions for assessment.
THEA 362: The Non-Fiction Film
This course covers non-fiction film productions such as documentaries, news reportage, nature and wildlife films, ethnographic films and reality television shows. It will examine the history and development of the genre and conceptual issues underlying production. The course will involve viewing and writing critiques on selected productions.
THEA 363: Performance Practice I – Voice (BFA only)
This course examines the human body and voice as artistic, creative tools for communication and expression in radio, film and television. The performer engages with formal and informal course will take students through the development of a variety of vocal styles.
THEA 364: Performance Practice II -Acting (BFA only)
This is a course in the art of performance, which introduces students to a practice of art that goes beyond play-acting to embrace the art in the ordinary everyday life. The notion of performance radiates from the art that resonates from within the individual, built on the foundation of acting technique. Issues to be covered include physical and spacial awareness, basic voice work, improvisation, and trusting impulses.
THEA 365: Educational Drama I
The course focuses on the development of educational drama and the theories influencing its growth. It examines the fundamental characteristics of drama and theatre as it is used in creative dramatics in child education. Students undertake minor projects with school children in selected schools under faculty supervision.
THEA 366: Educational Drama II
A follow-up course in which students explore further theories and technique as applied in educational drama. Students devise theatre games that invoke sensory and cognitive elements for use in projects involving teenagers in upper basic schools. Selected schools for visits may include specialized ones for persons with disabilities and disorders.
THEA 367: Community Theatre I
This course covers basic theories and practice of community theatre. Students study communities and issues mitigating their development to which theatre could be used as intervening tool. Students learn project management skills, community-based research skills and strategies for promoting community development. They will be required to undertake small groups projects conceived and mounted under faculty supervision.
THEA 368: Community Theatre II
This is a follow-up course in the principles, theories and techniques in applied theatre where students undertake community-based projects aimed at addressing social issues of interest to the people. Students apply TfD techniques in conceiving and executing their individual projects under faculty supervision. A project report is submitted for assessment.
THEA 369: Introduction to Costume Design
A study of the basics in costume design for the theatre with a focus on the panoramic view of historic costume, elements of design, fabric science, costume design and construction, and accessories. Students will be taken through workshops that offer the opportunity to demonstrate the applications in costume in theatre practice.
THEA 372: Non-Script Directing
The course examines the director in a social context through the practice of improvised drama. Topics to be discussed include: sources of ideas, plot proposition and development, character motivation, conflict, climax and other dramatic devices. Students will discuss form and content as key elements in structuring a play for directing to suit a unique purpose.
THEA 373: Theatre and African Cultural Heritage
This course focuses on the relationship between theatre and culture especially in the area of cultural preservation. Students examine the issue of African heritage through theatre practice at festivals, ritual ceremonies and social events. Lectures and screenings will compliment visits to selected events and performances.
THEA 374: Digital Story Telling
This course introduces students to multimedia through the art and craft of digital storytelling. The course guides each student to create 2 to 3 minute digital stories using digital tools and publish these stories as digital media, in social media. Students create digital stories to share their perspectives about themselves, other people and events around them.
THEA 375: Introduction to Set Design and Construction
This is an introductory course in set design and construction with a focus on aesthetics and traditions. Students undertake exercises in design rendering, drafting and modelling which enables them to conceive and develop design concepts and ideas. Students work under supervision as set construction assistants in departmental productions for assessment.
THEA 376: Props Design and Construction
This course covers theatrical props design and construction by seeking to equip students with the requisite knowledge in the creative use of materials such as fabric, wood, paper-mache, foam, clay, polystyrene, foil, in the making of moulds of objects. Students work on the props requirement of departmental productions as practice.
THEA 378: Sound Design: An Introduction
This course covers basic principles of sound design consisting of class projects and practical exercises in the sound laboratory and theatre spaces. Topics to be treated include a survey of current sound recording and playback equipment available to the professional sound designer/engineer; basic sound design; audio effects; music theory; continuing development of the design idea as it relates to dramatic text; and elements of composition.
THEA 382: Introduction to Make-up
This is an introductory course, which explores the basic art of make-up and its role in theatre and screen production. Topics cover history, aesthetics, materials, and procedures of makeup. Screening of movies featuring elaborate make-up and make-over will complement lectures and tutorials. Students will undertake basic make-up exercises for assessment.
THEA 424: African Arts and Ideas
This course studies African arts as composite and collaborative form of ideas. It seeks to define the various art forms as they function in the African society with special emphasis on points of departure and convergence. It will survey unique regional as well as national developments and practice. Students will make presentations on varied assignments.
THEA 425: Production Participation III
This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to put into practice various theories studied under the programme. Students are required to undertake varied assignments and roles in productions directed by students and faculty in a semester. The course enables students to develop discipline, creativity and sound working attitudes to the practical theatre profession. Though students work as a team, an assigned faculty at the end of the production process individually assesses them.
THEA 426: Oriental Theatre
The course covers studies in representational forms of drama in Asia. Topics include: movement, colour and use of symbolism in No and Kabuki Theatres of Japan; Chinese traditional representational drama; theatre and ideology in Chinese Revolutionary Opera; Sanskrist and Hindu Drama in India; Dance Theatres of Thailand, Bali and Burma.
THEA 427: African-American Theatre
This course is a survey of the socioeconomic and historical conditions that gave birth to African American theatre. It is designed to introduce students to African American theatre through the works of select playwrights, which present the history of blacks in America from the 17th century to the 21st century. Historical and contemporary films about African American culture and history are also employed to give students a visual experience of the political and social milieu that gave the dramatic works a context. The course explores classic African American plays such as A Raisin in the Sun, Fences, Dutchman, and others to give students a rich insightful experience into the lives of the playwrights and their works, against the historical society that produced both.
THEA 428: Media and Society
The course will study the role and function of the Media in Ghana and elsewhere, the effects and impact of the mass media, and the media as agents of democracy and development. Analysis of the relationship of electronic and print media in Ghana to the Ghanaian society through the examination of a wide range of material: news, current affairs, documentary, drama, situation comedy, features, editorials, etc. will be carried out.
THEA 432: Production Participation IV
This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to put into practice various theories studied under the programme. Students are required to undertake varied assignments and roles in productions directed by students and faculty in a semester. The course enables students to develop discipline, creativity and sound working attitudes to the practical theatre profession. Though students work as a team, an assigned faculty at the end of the production process individually assesses them.
THEA 433: African Performance Theories
The course examines the performing arts in traditional and contemporary African societies with the view of identifying some undelying concepts or theories of these art forms. Notions their histories and links to story telling, ritual performances, festivals, dance drama, performance- music and choreography. The course would further focus on the use of space, structure and form of traditional and contemporary African performances from across the continent.
THEA 434: Stage Make-up
This course covers advanced study in the theories and principles of theatrical make-up. It will examine planning the make-up and relating it to the character; applying the various types such as the corrective or the non-realistic. Students study the creation of artificial wounds, swellings, beards, moustaches, bald and other hair types.
THEA 435: Effective Communication in Performance
The course seeks to consolidate the work done in speech training. There is revision of theory governing the features of the target variety of English and practice in their use; dictionary use for checking pronunciation; the use of stress timed rhythm and effective focusing to convey message in the different types of utterances: statements, questions, commands and interjections. Communication skills that enhance performance, audience awareness, selfinvolvement and spontaneity are imparted.
THEA 436: African Plays and Playwrights
A study of selected African playwrights and their works, representing broadly the regions of the continent, with attention to their production philosophies or working methods, their target audiences; social, economic or political concerns; characterization, use of language, spectacle, plot structure and other dramatic devices. The course aims at equipping students with the analytical tools for critiquing African plays. The scope of critical exercise may be widened to include relevant ongoing staff and student productions.
THEA 437: Puppet Theatre
This course is structured to explore various puppetry styles as they apply in theatre practice. Puppets will be made and students will be given tools to apply to any inanimate object or puppet to bring it to life. There will be an exploration into the essence of movement and how to transfer it, to give the illusion of life to anything. The course culminates in an exhibition by students for assessment.
THEA 438: Production and Project Development
This course takes the form of a simulated event, which starts from the conceptualization to the completion of a particular project. It is a practical course that exposes students to independent research, self-determination, designer vision and practical application of current trends in fulfilling the task. The student works under close faculty supervision in executing the planned project.
THEA 439: Modern West African Drama social background, concepts of theatre and the factors that influenced their works. The course will take a critical look at select plays with the aim of discovering major concerns and relevance for readers and audiences. Issues of style, language and other features will be examined.
THEA 441: Shakespeare
This course introduces students, regardless of their background, to the treatment of themes and social issues in the plays and poems of Shakespeare. Emphasis is on the detailed relevance of these to contemporary 21st Century Ghana and Africa. It explores the range and variety of interpretations of the works of Shakespeare, both in critical writings and in performance.
THEA 442: Events Production
This course provides an overview of the variety of special events, festivals, celebrations and activities and the types of organizations that produce and present them. It examines management practices, including how events are designed, funded, staffed and promoted. The course examines human congregational activities as self-expression and creation of culture and community. Students are involved in events taking place both on campus and off-campus.
THEA 443: Legal and Ethical Issues in Arts Practice
This course is an introduction to the legal and ethical aspects of arts and entertainment practice in general. It is designed to give students an overview of the various relationships that exist between practitioners in the entertainment industry and how these relationships are bound by certain legal and ethical implications. The course is intended to prepare students to identify the various legal and ethical issues that affect arts practice and understand the environment within which these issues arise. Students will have some insight into how major players in the Arts and Entertainment industry (actors, musicians, models, dancers, artists, theatre, film and television producers, etc.) protect their rights from infringement, while avoiding litigation that may arise from negligence. Major topics include: Torts (privacy and defamation), Contracts, Ethics of Acting, Intellectual Property, Copyrights, ethical controversy and Works of Art, the Legal implications of using Online Media Content Distribution platforms.
THEA 444: Special Effects Design and Production
This is a course in motion graphics and visual effects design for theatre, film, video and television. Areas to be covered include pre-visualizing, titling, matting, rotoscoping and compositing using industry-standard software application. A study of selected science fiction and horror movies depicting unique visual special effects will be screened for discussion. Students work in small groups on projects for assessment.
THEA 445: Technical Theatre
The course is expected to develop in students the technical skills for the theatre. Issues to be discussed include creative costume, set and props design; sound and light design and operations and production management. Students also undergo training in theatre safety, facilities and equipment usage and maintenance through assigned roles in productions.
THEA 446: Theatre and Tourism
This course is designed for students to have an understanding and appreciation of how theatre facilitates tourism to promote national growth. It creates the platform for students to generate effective ways of inculcating theatrical elements in harnessing tourism. Issues to be examined include management of cultural sites and artefacts; historical and indigenous performances; cultural policies.
THEA 447: Investigating Cyberspace
This course guides students to examine cyberspace; computer, networks, the internet, digital media and communication as used for personal and collective expression. The course will further investigate the impact of cyberspace on society.
THEA 448: Modern Western Drama
This course examines the social and artistic conditions that led to the birth of modern western drama in the late 19th and 20th centuries. It traces lines of development and influences that build traditions of Realism, Naturalism, Expressionism, etc during the period. It further looks at thee of the Absurd and some Avant Garde theatre practitioners. Selected plays of the period will be studied.
THEA 449: Film and other Arts
The course examines the interrelationships between film and fine arts, performing arts and literature, with emphasis on ways these other arts have influenced film. It also discusses how film has affected the understanding of these arts in modern times. It will further examine the composite nature of film as encompassing these other arts in production. Selected hybrid creative productions involving several art forms will be discussed.
THEA 453: Acting I
of personal realities and discoveries with which they will engage with the development of character, narrative and performance. The course would focus on their ability to apply instincts, sense of truth and above all their knowledge of human realities to performance making. Assessment will be based on both critical and creative qualities of their performance.
THEA 454: Acting II
This follow-up course is concerned with the preparation and transition of the students into professional working actors. Students are regarded as company member as they are taken through the demanding processes of auditioning, casting, independent study leading to rehearsals and final performance. Texts are chosen to sufficiently challenge each actor to integrate the acquired skills and techniques of voice, speech and movement with intuitive impulses. The final performances will assesses how students combine and align these skills to conquer the many acting challenges they encounter as professional actors.
THEA 455: Theatre for Development I
This advanced course in the theories and practice of theatre for development (TfD) covers project concept development, scripting, casting, rehearsals and production. Students will be required to select communities with identifiable issues mitigating development to which theatre could be used as intervening tool. Preliminary visits and investigations will be put in a report for assessment.
THEA 456: Theatre for Development II
In this follow-up course students will design a TfD project to execute based on the preliminary study conducted. Key issues like ethics, customary law and practices will be discussed. Equipped with project management skills, community-based research skills and strategies for promoting community development, students will undertake individual projects conceived and mounted under faculty supervision.
THEA 457: Radio, TV, Film and Video I
This is a course designed to advance the knowledge and skills of students in understanding the concept, design and production of digital audio/video works. It builds upon the fundamentals acquired at Level 300 by including further studies in history, research, aesthetics and their applications to practice. Students conceive and direct small group creative pieces under supervision for assessment. The class also visits selected media houses to get acquaintance with media business practice.
THEA 458: Radio, TV, Film and Video II
This is a follow-up course in which students discuss selected theories as they underscore technique in practice. Organised fieldtrips help students develop screenplays for their individual short movie projects. They undertake shooting on locations, manage cast and crew and go through post-production, all in developing professional movie making experience. Students screen projects are publicly exhibited followed by oral presentations questions from viewers are addressed.
THEA 459: Production Management
This course covers the creative, organizational and managerial function of the producer in a media production. Topics to be covered include finance, fund-raising, budgeting, distribution, copyrights, negotiating contracts, recruiting crew, location scouting, managing properties, setting up and managing an edit room; planning and carrying out cost-effective online editing, sound mixing, colour correction and titling sessions for accurate and on-time project delivery; managing production cast and crew in both studio and location set-up.
THEA 461: Directing I
This course in advance directing focuses on the key elements of the collaborative art of theatre making, embracing both script based and non-script directing. The course content begins from the selection of script or what is to be performed. Students are taken through styles of production, the routine of organizing the production company and the production process as they scout for play scripts and performance ideas. Students are guided to discuss their motivations for choice of plays or performance ideas and undertake short exercises in scene study. Assessment is based on the direction of a thirty-minute performance.
THEA 462: Directing II
As a follow-up course, students will examine the central emphasis in directing/ devising a play from concept to performance by undertaking practical directing projects. Students will select, cast and direct full length plays or lead an ensemble to device a minimum of an hour-long performance under faculty supervision and submit a prompt book for assessment.
THEA 463: Drama in Education I
This is an advanced course in the development of educational drama and the major theories that have influenced its growth and practice. It will examine the fundamental characteristics of creative dramatics, comprising elements from each in varying degrees.
THEA 464: Drama in Education II
In this follow-up course, students will go through the process of playmaking as aid to educational pedagogy especially for basic school. Students study the educational curriculum and effective methods of teaching. Students conceive and design projects in creative dramatics to be executed in selected schools within the city under faculty supervision.
THEA 465: Costume Design, Construction and History I
The course seeks to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills in theatre costume design and construction. It covers theory, technique and practical application of the principles of costume design. Topics to be treated include: costume history, colour theory, mass, line, proportion and emphasis. Students examine the distinction between costume and fashion.
THEA 466: Costume Design, Construction and History II
In this follow-up course, students learn to analysis and interpret plays, develop character sketches and conduct clothing research. Students study advanced rendering techniques in designing stage costumes and the use of local materials in theatrical productions. Students undertake individual practical assignments in costuming a production in the department under faculty supervision.
THEA 467: Stage Lighting I
This course is designed to provide the student with advanced knowledge about stage lighting. Students will study key theories underlying lighting design needed to grasp the technical challenges in the area. Topics to be treated include history of lighting design; colour theory; lighting different types of performances; plotting light cues for production and special effects.
THEA 469: Sound Design and Production
The focus of this course is on sound and audio in acoustic, audio, and digital domain. It covers practice of techniques for recording, editing, and creating soundscapes. It further explores sound design for productions and techniques for mixing, reinforcement, and signal processing. Topics include use of delay, equalization, and microphone placement for sound reinforcement. Students also study the creation of sound effects, control of MIDI data and design techniques for musical film and theatre.
THEA 471: Scenic Design and Construction I
This advanced course focuses on the development of design concepts and ideas for theatrical productions. It covers studio sessions of water-colour renderings, drafting of ground plans and elevations. It further examines the use of orthographic, isometric, cabinet, oblique, sectional, detail and working drawing, painting including backdrops and use of scales-models and other techniques.
THEA 472: Scenic Design and Construction II
Following from the previous semester, students will be taken through two and three dimensional construction of units of sets, rigging and striking. Stage props construction will also be covered. Students will examine the challenges posed by different stages for the set designer. Students will be assigned work on departmental productions and submit project reports detailing work done for assessment.
THEA 475: Dramatic Writing
This is an advanced course in dramatic writing covering aspects such as, structure, action, conflict and resolution. Students will analyse selected written scripts (both screenplays and stage plays) in order to discover unique techniques and styles of popular professional writers. They will also examine some other scripts to discuss identifiable problems in dramatic writing for the inexperienced.
THEA 476: Dramatic Writing II
In this follow-up course, students will study the theories underlying dramatic writing and examine selected works demonstrating them strongly. Through screenings, workshops and discussions students acquire the needed skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of current writing demands. Students will develop their own original dramatic works under faculty supervision. Final assessment will involve script testing through reading or staging.
THEA 477: Internship
This is a course designed to create opportunities for the student to learn through practice by working in positions in a professional theatre organization/facility that creates and presents, to the public, works in the theatre arts. Students will be required to submit written reports to their faculty supervisors. The department will also receive report from assigned workplace supervisor on the professional conduct of the student.
THEA 478 Theatre Techniques
This course aims at equipping students with the technical knowledge and skills required for theatrical production. Students explore the fundamentals of the various technical areas but concentrate on one for in-depth study. While carrying out various assigned responsibilities in departmental productions, students will be required to produce a report based on investigations carried out in the area of concentration.
THEA 479: Arts Review and Criticism
This course covers the analysis of social, cultural, literary and moral issues in the arts. It will include a critical examination of sources of information, the cultural context and the entertainment values of various culturals productions. Issues of audiences and reception of theatre will also be considered. Selected theatre productions and other arts products such as films, art exhibitions, radio and television programmes will be analysed, where possible. Students will be equipped with the skills to write reviews for newspapers and other arts related publication, including online outlets.
THEA 482: Theatre Business
The course covers the study of the business of theatre and theatrical organizations in contemporary period. Students examine the importance of various aspects of a viable theatrical organization including: the mission statement, incorporation and non-profit status, control boards, funding sources, and strategies. They further study arts administration, accounting practices, front of house procedures, marketing and publicity.
