Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Program Goal One:

To develop students’ general theatre knowledge and skills which stem from a study of theatre history, dramatic literature, critical theory, and production practice, including acting, directing, management, design and craft aesthetics.

Learning Outcomes:
  1. To master the history, literature, theories, and performance skills prerequisite to advanced training in theatre arts or a career in the entertainment industry.
  2. To develop a more complex understanding of the co-curricular relationships that exist within the broader liberal arts disciplines.
  3. To apply and test knowledge through work on a variety of theatre productions as relevant to their emphasis within the program.
  4. To direct, act, design, stage manage a theatrical production(s), significant artistic project, or write a substantial thesis.

Program Goal Two:

To enhance students’ critical thinking skills within an active learning environment.

Learning Outcomes:
  1. To be able to describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate dramatic literature and theatrical productions.
  2. To be able to articulate the formal, technical, historical, and theoretical attributes of their work and the work of others.
  3. To be able to apply performance practices and use critical language as it applies to their own work and the work of others.

Program Goal Three:

The Theatre Program will enable students to pursue theatre related careers and provide direction in the development of related professional skills.

Learning Outcomes:
  1. Students will be licensed to teach English (Theatre majors with an emphasis in Secondary English)
  2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of all aspects of theatrical production including acting, directing, design, technical, publicity.
  3. Students will develop and complete a culminating senior thesis project: directing a theatrical production, designing for a faculty production, stage managing, or writing a substantial thesis.

Program Goal Four:

The Theatre Program will provide a cultural and academic resource in theatre for Adams State University, the San Luis Valley, and Adams State University’s region of responsibility as a Regional Education Provider.

Learning Outcomes:
  1. Provide a variety of co-curricular theatrical productions and other cultural events.
  2. Provide competition, production, and performance support for schools, college, and community groups.

Program Goal Five:

The Theatre Program will develop students’ basic speech competencies which stem from an understanding of fundamental performance and communication theories united with the development of basic performance and communication skills.

Learning Outcomes:
  1. To demonstrate an understanding of the basics of performance and/or communication theory.

Program Goal Six:

To prepare teachers of English /Theatre for service in the schools of the state and nation.

Learning Outcomes:
  1. To be prepared for careers as secondary school teachers according to the NCTE guidelines for teachers of English language arts.
  2. Appraise the English language and its varieties as vehicles for and manifestations of human creativity.
  3. Read and write at a level appropriate to candidates vying for entry into a secondary level teaching position.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of best practices in literature / language teaching and Colorado content standards in English.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of and an ability to teach literature of diverse voices, cultures, and historical periods.