2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Course Descriptions
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The undergraduate course numbering system is as follows:
0100 - Lower Level Courses
0200 - Upper Level Courses
0300 - Upper Level Courses
Not every course listed in this Bulletin is offered annually. Definitive information about course offerings and class hours is available at the time of registration through the Office of the Registrar. Insufficient enrollment or changing conditions may occasionally necessitate the withdrawal of scheduled courses. Please check with appropriate departments to determine if the courses sought are being offered and when they are scheduled.
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Social Work |
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SOCW 0340 - Introduction to Generalist Practice
Credits: 3
This course introduces students to: the generalist practice process, the problem-solving model, critical thinking, values and ethics of social work, recording methods, basic interviewing skills, and how to apply this knowledge across various types of practice situations with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
Pre/co-requisite: SOCW 0241 .
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SOCW 0341 - Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations
Credits: 3
Examines the skills needed to develop and carry out community development and social activism interventions. Covers basic skills for developing organizations, creating organizational change, and administering organizations.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Social Work major and SOCW 0340 .
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SOCW 0342 - Generalist Practice with Individuals
Credits: 3
This course focuses on skills of assessment and intervention with individuals. Students examine models of micropractice, hone their critical thinking skills, and develop methods for dealing with ethical dilemmas.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Social Work major and SOCW 0340 .
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SOCW 0343 - Generalist Practice with Families and Groups
Credits: 3
Introduces students to the knowledge and skills needed to plan and guide social work groups, and the knowledge and skills to work with family systems.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Social Work major and SOCW 0340 .
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SOCW 0351 - Social Work Practicum I
Credits: 7
Social work majors in their senior year are required to complete a two-semester, 400 hour, hands-on social work experience in an approved agency under the supervision of a professional social worker. Included is a weekly seminar that provides further integration of practice with the proper skills, knowledge, and values and ethics of the field.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Social Work major and SOCW 0340 .
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SOCW 0352 - Social Work Practicum II
Credits: 7
This is the second half of the senior year field experience.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Social Work major and SOCW 0351 .
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SOCW 0353 - Senior Capstone I
Credits: 2
In this course, Social Work majors must propose, receive approval for, and carry out a two-semester, independent professional project that demonstrates integration of the six areas of the program’s curriculum: 1) generalist social work practice; 2) diversity and social justice; 3) social welfare policy and planning; 4) human behavior and the social environment; 5) research; and 6) field education.
Prerequisites: SOCW 0204 and SOCW 0301 . Social Work majors only.
Corequisite: SOCW 0351 .
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SOCW 0354 - Senior Capstone II
Credits: 2
This course is the second half of the independent professional project that demonstrates integration of the six areas of the curriculum: 1) generalist social work practice; 2) diversity and social justice; 3) social welfare policy and planning; 4) human behavior and the social environment; 5) research; and 6) field education.
Prerequisites: SOCW 0204 and SOCW 0301 . Social Work majors only.
Pre/co-requisite: SOCW 0352 .
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SOCW 0360 - Diversity and Social Justice
Credits: 3
This course examines the existence of multiple intersecting and interlocking systems of advantage and disadvantage among the diverse social identity groups in the United States. The centrality of diversity-competent practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities are emphasized.
Prerequisites: EGST 0101 or EGST 0102 .
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SOCW 0399 - Independent Study
Credits: 1-6
This is an independent study within the field of Social Work.
Prerequisites: Permission of department.
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Theatre Arts |
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THEA 0104 - Introduction to Theatre
Credits: 3
This course is a historical survey of the origins, nature, evolutions, and development of theatre and its related arts. Students learn the theory and practice of the theatre arts, including play-writing, acting, directing, set and lighting design, theatre architecture, costuming and makeup, technical production, and theatre management. Students acquire tools with which to experience, analyze, and appreciate good theatre and the wisdom it can offer, whether as audience members or as part of theatre productions.
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THEA 0110 - Scenery and Lighting Practicum
Credits: 1
In this course, students will learn the technical tools and processes used in scenery and lighting production in support of a Westfield State University Theatre Arts performance. The class is customized to the specific production work required to execute the design elements of a given theatrical piece.
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THEA 0111 - Costume Production Practicum
Credits: 1
In this course, students will learn the technical tools and methodologies in costume production in support of a Westfield State University Theatre Arts performance. The class is customized to the specific production work required to execute the design elements of a given theatrical piece.
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THEA 0112 - Theatre Run Crew Practicum
Credits: 1
In this course, students will learn the backstage processes used in stage management, scenery, costume, make-up, properties, lighting and/or sound by serving as run crew for a Westfield State University Theatre Arts production. The specific requirements of each run crew position varies, and will be assigned on a case-by-case basis. Students will be scheduled for run crew during the final three weeks of the production, primarily evenings and weekends.
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THEA 0121 - Acting Styles: Techniques, Theory and Practice
Credits: 3
This course provides students with a basic understanding of theatre as a performing art through the study of acting styles and periods in a historical and cultural context. Students will also apply theories and techniques in a practical format. This course allows for the study of three major periods, with choices ranging from classical to contemporary. Teaching and learning methods in this course include lecture, discussion, collaborative projects, character analysis through script study, theatre exercises, and guest speakers. Students will attend on-campus and area theatrical productions, write critical reviews, and perform scenes.
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THEA 0151 - Introduction to Performance
Credits: 3
By studying the historical origins, development, and evolution of performance throughout the ages and across cultures, students will gain perspective on, and an appreciation for, theatre. This course is designed for students of varying disciplines and offers a unique lens through which to view performance, both in theatre and life. Students learn about the nature of performance and some of the significant theories and figures related to the history of performance. Various performance concepts, principles, and techniques are introduced, as well as different approaches to actor training. Students learn about and work on the performer’s instrument: the Body, the Voice, and the Imagination. Many practical exercises are employed, which may include areas such as storytelling, dramatic structure, sensory work, movement, improvisation, psychophysical action, mask work, and stage combat. Students will apply their knowledge and training to create performance pieces.
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THEA 0152 - Scenography
Credits: 3
This course provides a perspective on, and an appreciation of, theatre by studying the historical development, continuum, and evolution of the values, methods, and theories of the practitioners of the New Stagecraft, the collaborative relationship between the director and the designer, and the basic principles of visual and aural theatrical design. This course exposes students to significant theories and movements that have shaped the visual style of the American stage; familiarizes students with theatre’s significant figures, techniques, conventions, styles, and terminology; promotes productive dialogue among student directors, actors, designers, writers, and technicians; and imparts a greater appreciation of the performing arts.
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THEA 0156 - Stagecraft Techniques
Credits: 3
This course is intended to provide an introduction to the facility and tools available, and the crafts used in technical theatre today. Students will examine some of the ways to plan and execute the technical elements of a theatrical production. Construction techniques and terminology, the use and safe operation of tools, carpentry skills, reading blueprints, and basic hand-drafting skills are included in this course which serves as preparation for upper-level technical theatre classes.
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THEA 0251 - Theatre Management
Credits: 3
This course addresses the organization and business practices of theatrical companies and of theatre production. Students will become acquainted with the roles of the producer and the managing director. The requirements and responsibilities of both commercial and non-profit theatrical production will be addressed, as well as the roles and functions of various management personnel. The course will include such topics as fund raising, subscription sales, publicity and promotion, community relations, agents, unions, stage management, and long- and short-term planning.
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THEA 0252 - Acting I
Credits: 3
This is a course in the art and craft of the actor, with the goal of assisting students in approaching the task of the actor with greater understanding. It is designed to allow students to develop personal resources and practice on work habits and tools to gain such understanding. The course uses readings to introduce practical and experiential hands-on exercises employed in the classroom to develop the actor’s mind, body, and voice; to cultivate a greater personal awareness of self, space, and ensemble; and to develop the imagination as a tool to generate creativity and artistry. This course is primarily focused on acting techniques developed by Stanislavski and his American disciples, although other approaches may also be covered.
Prerequisites: THEA 0151 .
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THEA 0253 - Theatre Workshop
Credits: 3
This is an intensive course for students who have acquired the basic skills of stagecraft and theatrical production, and who are interested in learning their application to the execution of theatrical designs. It is a hands-on, experiential course in which students develop and put to practical use a number of theatre and stagecraft technology skills. Students will build and paint scenery, hang and focus lights, collect and record sound, participate in costume construction, collect and build properties, and have the opportunity to serve on the running crews for the semester’s theatrical offerings. Each student is required to fulfill assigned hours and to attend work calls outside of regularly scheduled class and shop hours.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
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THEA 0255 - Directing I
Credits: 3
A study of the process of play direction and practice in the staging of scenes from the most common styles of plays.
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THEA 0260 - Script Analysis & Interpretation
Credits: 3
This course will employ various disciplined, systematic approaches to analyzing and understanding a work of dramatic literature and their application to classical, modern, and contemporary plays. The goal is to facilitate a greater understanding and appreciation of the art and craft of dramatic writing. The course is designed for students of varying disciplines, and attempts to both challenge and assist students in the development of their critical, analytical, and creative abilities. Knowledge acquired in this course will assist students in their analysis and understanding of other literary works, and will increase their appreciation of the work of the creative writer. The course also will provide insight into how one’s interpretation of a dramatic text can be translated into concrete graphic, visual, and aural terms for a theatre audience.
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THEA 0261 - Theatre History: Early Stages
Credits: 3
This course is an interdisciplinary study of the development, continuum, and evolution of Western theatre in a world cultural context. Course topics focus on the agendas and legacies of key figures and movements in the development of Western theatre from its origins in ritual and ceremonial dance to the community performances of the Middle Ages. The relationship of Western theatre to Eastern examples, the development of the theatre as a physical structure, the development of various concepts of character and dramatic action, and the changing relationship of life on the stage to life off the stage will be examined through the study of selected dramatists, theoreticians, directors, designers, and performers.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0101 and ENGL 0204 .
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THEA 0262 - Theatre History: Renaissance to Romanticism
Credits: 3
This course is an interdisciplinary study of the development, continuum, and evolution of Western theatre in a world cultural context. Course topics focus on the agendas and legacies of key figures and movements in the development of Western theatre from the European Renaissance to the emerging world stage of the nineteenth century. The relationship of Western theatre to Eastern examples, the development of the theatre as a physical structure, the development of various concepts of character and dramatic action, and the changing relationship of life on the stage to life off the stage will be examined through the study of selected dramatists, theoreticians, directors, designers, and performers.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0101 and ENGL 0204 .
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THEA 0263 - Theatre History: The Modern Stage
Credits: 3
This course is an interdisciplinary study of the development, continuum, and evolution of Western theatre in a world cultural context. Course topics focus on the agendas and legacies of key figures and movements in the development of Western theatre from the realist/naturalist movements of the nineteenth century to the world theatre of the 1940s. The relationship of Western theatre to Eastern examples, the development of the theatre as a physical structure, the development of various concepts of character and dramatic action, and the changing relationship of life on the stage to life off the stage will be examined through the study of selected dramatists, theoreticians, directors, designers, and performers.
Prerequisites: ENGL 0101 and ENGL 0204 .
(formerly ENGL 0263)
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THEA 0271 - Theatre for Social Change
Credits: 3
This course examines methods and examples of how theatre can be utilized by artists to advocate for social change. While historical and international examples will be included, the focus will be on contemporary American theatre from the late 20th century to the present. Students will study representational theatre artists, many of whom identify as people of color or as members of other underrepresented communities, who have used theatre as a medium for activism. Students will also work on projects individually and in groups that model ways to promote social change within particular communities, addressing issues drawn from their own experience, sense of identity, and relationship to society.
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THEA 0330 - Special Topics in Theatre
Credits: 3
This course focuses on selected subjects in the theatre arts of performance and design, theatre stagecraft and technology, theatre history, theatre management, or dramatic literature. Topics are chosen in keeping with the instructor’s field of specialization and in response to student interest and/or emerging trends in theatre.
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THEA 0343 - Sound Design for Theatre
Credits: 3
This course teaches students the principles, theories, technology, and craftsmanship of sound design for live theatrical production. Topics include script analysis for the designer, developing a design concept, researching period music, developing a sound score, translating characters’ internal psychological and emotional states into sound, and organizing the documentation of a design. Emphasis is placed on digital multi-track recording and editing. Students will be expected to plan and implement a number of sound design projects using computer-aided sound design software. Students also will explore basic audio theory and technology, the components of sound systems, and their applications to a live theatrical environment.
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THEA 0350 - Dramaturgy
Credits: 3
This courses applies aspects of script analysis, dramatic theory and criticism, and theatre history to the study of individual works of drama. Dramaturgy involves the study of the principles of dramatic composition, structure, style, and theory as they relate to a dramatic work, research on that work’s historical setting and time of composition, its author’s body of work, its published criticism, and its production history. Students will learn what makes a dramatic work theatrically viable, how to assess its strengths and weaknesses, and how to rectify its shortcomings.
Prerequisites: THEA 0260 or ENGL 0365 .
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THEA 0354 - Costume Design
Credits: 3
Students will acquire an appreciation and an understanding of costume design as a unique form of artistic expression. Students will learn about style, the designer’s creative process, and how to analyze and interpret play scripts and characters from a costume designer’s perspective. They will also learn about the processes of executing costume design, including the tools and techniques of costume construction. The course will provide a cultural and historical perspective, revealing how the pressures of place and time have influenced the fashions of various periods and how costume design has evolved and developed over time. Criteria will be established to enable students to evaluate and articulate their reactions to costume designs and to the design experience.
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THEA 0357 - Acting II
Credits: 3
Working on a role, students apply the elements of THEA 0252 to text, character analysis, and performance. Scenes and short works will be performed for class criticism.
Prerequisites: THEA 0252 .
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THEA 0358 - Production Seminar
Credits: 3
This is a topics course. The topic of choice will depend upon the playwright and the play chosen for production. Production Seminar is a culminating course designed to apply the skills actors, designers, and technicians learn in their performance and design/technical courses, and to provide practical experience in the mounting of a theatrical production. The course will be devoted to preparing, building, performing, and evaluating a theatrical production for a public audience.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor. Enrollment by audition or interview; open to all students who qualify.
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THEA 0359 - Acting for Film and Television
Credits: 3
Students will learn how to apply the craft of acting to the demands of acting on-camera for film and television, as well as the techniques and craft required for on-camera acting. Students will be introduced to such aspects of on-camera acting as terminology of the media, cold reading techniques necessary for auditioning, camera shots and camera angles, limitations of the frame, professional on-set behavior, and the actor’s responsibility. Students will engage in a number of exercises as well as monologues and scene work for the camera.
Prerequisites: THEA 0252 and THEA 0357 .
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THEA 0360 - Theatre Production
Credits: 6
This is an intensive hands-on course for students interested in learning and gaining experience in standard technical craft practices for the theatre. The class will familiarize students particularly with the specific equipment and skills needed for the preparation and construction of costumes for a theatrical production. Students will also learn and apply fundamental construction tools, techniques, and skills in other technical/craft areas of scenery lighting, sound, scene painting, makeup, and properties. Students may also participate in the running crews for the semester’s theatrical productions. Each student will be required to fulfill assigned hours and to attend work calls outside the regularly scheduled class and shop hours.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
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THEA 0362 - Research Seminar in Theatre
Credits: 3
Advanced research in theatre, including guided individual study of an approved topic. Members of the department will assist students whose special interests coincide with their specialized areas.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
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THEA 0368 - Directing II
Credits: 3
Through directing a one act play, and engaging in class criticism and analysis, students will learn the role of director as interpreter, organizer, teacher, and stage manager.
Prerequisites: THEA 0255 .
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THEA 0380 - Professional Theatre Seminar
Credits: 1
Students will learn about the realities and demands of graduate school and making a career in the world of professional theatre, film, and television. Topics will include, but are not limited to: auditioning techniques for theatre, film, and television; headshots, resumes, portfolio preparation and presentation; creating personal websites; marketing oneself; personal wardrobe and makeup; interviewing techniques; researching, selecting, applying, and preparing for graduate school; and the professional working environments of New York and Los Angeles. Required of all Theatre Arts majors.
Prerequisites: Theatre Arts majors only. Junior or Senior standing required.
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THEA 0389 - Scene Design
Credits: 3
The course will convey an appreciation and understanding of scenic design as a unique form of artistic expression and the artistic skills and craftsmanship necessary to a scenic designer. Students will learn how to analyze and interpret a script from the scenic designer’s perspective and to translate one’s concepts into concrete visual and graphic terms. Students will acquire a working understanding of theatre history and style as they relate to scenic design. The course will stress process and methodology and will expose students to the scenic designer’s creative process, touching on such areas as analysis, research, sketching, rendering, model building, and ground plan development.
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THEA 0390 - Lighting Design
Credits: 3
This course teaches the science and art of the discipline of lighting design. Students will learn the tools of the trade and how to use them to enhance a theatrical production. It will acquaint students with the lighting designer’s process and how the designer analyzes, interprets, and translates a script into a cognent design concept, and how the designer uses the tools and the latest technology of the trade to execute the design.
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THEA 0398 - Internship in Theatre
Credits: 3-12
A practical internship program for Seniors in the Theatre Arts major who want to gain real-world experience and on-the-job training in an area of theatre. Students will participate for a stipulated period of time under professional supervision and evaluation, and will be observed periodically by University faculty. The internship must be proposed by the student and approved by the Theatre Arts faculty. Any additional requirements of an internship (such as journaling, report writing, or oral presentations) will be determined by the faculty.
Prerequisites: Permission of program coordinator.
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THEA 0399 - Independent Study
Credits: 3-6
A course by special arrangement for independent study in an area of special interest or need in theatre and/or drama. The student will work with a faculty member qualified to supervise the independent study project.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and Department Chairperson.
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