The MA offers three concentrations: (a) Dance (Plan A emphasis on Culture and Performance Studies and Plan B emphasis on Dance Education; (b) Performance Studies (Plan A and Plan B); and (c) Theatre (Plan A emphasis on Theatre and Plan B emphasis on Theatre Education). For Plan A, the candidate writes a thesis the research focus of which depends on the specific concentration being pursued: Dance, Performance Studies, or Theatre. Upon completion of the written thesis, students will meet with their committee to orally defend it. The revised thesis is then submitted to ProQuest for publication.
For Plan B, the candidate takes additional advanced coursework and completes a research-related or creative project. Plan B students will make a public oral presentation in their final year, detailing the results of their research-related or creative project.
Core Courses:
Research methods (DNCE 651 or THEA 600) and DNCE/ THEA 668. See Theatre and Dance MA Program sheet for specific requirements for each concentration.
Dance Concentration (30 Credits)
This concentration offers a Plan A or B option. A written comprehensive exam and an oral defense of that exam are also required in both Plan A and B.
Plan A (Thesis): The focus is research related to culture and performance studies in dance. Research conducted is completed in the form of a performance as research or fieldwork project, a written thesis, and an oral defense.
Plan B (Non-Thesis): The focus is on dance education and is the more applied version of this degree.
Performance Studies Concentration (30 credits)
This concentration offers a Plan A or B option. Both options explore the major concepts of Performance Studies as well as the broad spectrum from artistic to cultural performance, but the focus of the Plan A is on academic research, whereas the Plan B involves a creative project.
Theatre Concentration (30 credits)
This concentration offers a Plan A or B option.
Plan A (Thesis): The focus is research related to theatre. Research conducted is completed in the form of a written thesis and an oral defense.
Plan B (Non-Thesis): The focus is on theatre education and pedagogy as it relates to the theatrical arts.
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