Department of Performing Arts

MUSIC PROGRAM

American Musical Culture (A.B.)

The A.B. in American Musical Culture is designed for students interested in pursuing careers and/or graduate study in: American Studies, arts management, cultural criticism, entertainment law, media studies, music journalism or musicology. Requirements for the degree consist of ten courses, including: Writing About Music (MUSC 161); two music theory courses (MUSC-141 and an additional course that falls within course number range MUSC 240-259 or MUSC 340-359); at least three of the four Core Courses in Music (MUSC-114, 115, 116, 117), which cover the department’s general areas of music history distribution (Western European Tradition, Multi-cultural Traditions, Jazz, and Popular Music); three upper-level courses in music history and culture or music theory; and one course credit based on four terms in a single section of MUSC-100 Music Performance.

Completion of a Senior Capstone Project is also required for the major. Students may choose between a research project (i.e. a thesis, documentary, or lecture recital) or a semester/summer internship related to their academic interests (i.e. Lauinger Library; NPR, Library of Congress, Smithsonian, The Washington Post).

Potential majors are advised to take Writing About Music (MUSC-161), Diatonic Harmony (MUSC-141) and at least one of the three core courses during the first two years, since these are prerequisites for most upper-level courses.

Academic Requirements

(10 Music Courses; 30 credit hours + Senior Capstone Project)

Writing About Music (MUSC-161)

2 music theory courses:
Diatonic Harmony (MUSC-141) and a second course numbered 240-259 or 340-359

3 of the 4 core courses in music history and culture (MUSC-114 Western European Tradition, MUSC-115 Music in a Multicultural World, MUSC-116 Jazz History, MUSC-117 History of Rock)

3 upper-level courses, numbered 200 or higher, in music history and culture (220-239, 320-339, 420-439) or music theory/composition (240-259, 340-359, 440-459) 1 course credit based on 4 semesters in a section of MUSC-100 Music Performance.
Senior Capstone Project: research project (i.e. a thesis, documentary, large-scale musical composition or lecture recital) or a semester/summer internship related to their academic interests (i.e. NPR, Library of Congress, The Smithsonian, The Washington Post).

Minor in Music

The Music Program at Georgetown currently offers a minor, which consists of courses in music history, criticism, theory, composition, audio technology and performance. Students electing this minor are given the opportunity to specialize in a broad array of musical forms associated with American Culture, including: jazz, rock, dance, film, popular musics from around the world and music stemming from the Western European Tradition (from the 17th century to the present).

Minor Academic Requirements

(6 Music Courses; 18 credit hours)

Diatonic Harmony (MUSC-141)

1 course in musicology (music history and culture) numbered 100 or higher

4 additional course credits in music, which may include one course credit based on 4 terms in a single section of MUSC-100 Music Performance, but may not include MUSC-041 Elements of Music

THEATER PROGRAM

Theater & Performance Studies (A.B.)

The major in Theater and Performance Studies includes a balance of creative and scholarly courses, as well as courses that explicitly integrate the two. The requirements include: two of three core courses that integrate critical and creative methodologies (Cross-Cultural Performance Traditions TPST 105, Adaptation & Performance of Literature TPST 200, and Play Analysis TPST 130); Introduction to Acting (TPST 020); at least one Technical Theater or Design course; two or more intermediate courses (200 level) offered by the Theater Program; at least one approved cognate course or more upper level (300/400) courses, one of which must include Ensemble Theater Practicum (TPST 400) and a Senior Project, Thesis, or Internship. In addition, all majors must fulfill the production practicum for a total of 80 hours, plus one run-crew lab in the Theater Season. Majors are also required to participate in the Majors Colloquium (TPST 410), a single credit course for declared majors.

Academic Requirements

2 of 3 core methods courses in Theater & Performance Studies: Cross-Cultural Performance Traditions (TPST 105), Adaptation & Performance of Literature (TPST 200) or Play Analysis (TPST 130)
Introduction to Acting (TPST 020)
I course in Technical Theater or Design (TPST 160 or 170)
5 electives
2 of which must be intermediate (200 level courses) offered by the program
1 of which must be an advanced (300 or 400) level course
1 of which must be a cognate course taught by our Associated Faculty
1 of which may be at any level
1 TPST 300 level course or thesis project/independent study in TPST 400 series
In addition, all students are required to fulfill the

Production Practicum (80 hours total)
They are required to take

Majors Colloquium, a single credit course for declared majors, or other courses with departmental approval
Note:

Not more than 5 three-credit performance courses can count toward the major.
Up to three authorized courses may be fulfilled by courses from outside the Theater Program (approved transfer credits, study abroad or cognate courses).
Students may receive up to three credits for intensive production work, including filling a primary role/s onstage or backstage in plays directed or advised by faculty if significant research and required written work is fulfilled.

Minor in Theater & Performance Studies

Like the major in Theater and Performance Studies, the minor reflects a balance between creative and scholarly courses, as well as courses which integrate the two. The requirements include one out of the following three courses: Cross-Cultural Performance Traditions (TPST 105), Play Analysis (TPST 130) or Adaptation and Performance of Literature (TPST 200); two upper-level courses chosen from Adaptation and Performance of Literature (TPST 200) or higher; three courses from any level. Also, students are required to complete forty hours of a Davis Center production practicum, supervised by faculty and/or staff.

Minor Academic Requirements

1 out of the following 3 courses: TPST-105, TPST-130, TPST-200
2 courses from TPST-200 or higher
3 courses at any level
In addition to this, 40 hours of Davis Center production practicum hours, supervised by faculty/staff.

DANCE PROGRAM

Course credit is currently available for participation including GU Dance, Black Movements Dance Theatre, and Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Georgetown. Both Music and Theater periodically offer courses of special interest to dance students. Many dance students opt to pursue an Inter-Arts Major with dance as the primary subject.