Drama majors typically take the following courses in the fall semester of their first year:
First-Year Experience Learning Community Courses
We will register you in these courses.
- Philosophy (PHIL 201)
- English Composition (ENG 101) OR Theology (TRS 201)
Why am I taking these classes? Honors students take equivalent honors courses.
Major and Elective Courses
You will need to choose and register for these courses.
- Introduction to Drama (Drama 101)
- A foreign language (see below)
- A liberal arts foundations course; a course toward a minor, certificate, or other focus area; or a free elective
Language placement
Your major requires you to complete the study of a foreign language through the intermediate level. Catholic University teaches the following languages that satisfy this requirement: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. If you are interested in learning a language not listed here, consult with your advisor.
If you have previously studied a foreign language and are interested in continuing with that same language, or if you can demonstrate fluency in a foreign language, you should complete the language placement exam.
About Your First Semester Courses
The first required class in the Drama program is "Theater I" (DR 101). This course examines how one can use language artistically to enhance human communication through live performance. Students focus on the creation of theatrical experiences through the structure and balance of a play’s components. These include text, performance, direction, design, and presentational space. The plays studied within the course address many social issues of contemporary society. Attendance of live theatrical performances is an integral part of the course structure. The course serves as an introduction for students new to dramatic studies and as a refresher course for those with prior knowledge of the subject, and it serves as a primer for the other required courses.
In addition to the Drama and Learning Community courses, the department recommends a language course. A working knowledge of a foreign language, besides being a graduation requirement, is key to creating artistic work that speaks to the largest possible audience. For your fifth class, you may in particular be interested in a course in history or math. An understanding of history is critical in creating art for a contemporary audience, and math is essential for success in the modern world. Or, you may wish to begin study in a secondary subject area of interest, perhaps for a minor or certificate.
To learn more about the Drama major, consult the Drama Department’s website.
Know which courses you want? Get registered.