BA - Theatre Studies as a major
Major, Second Major, Supporting
If you’re fascinated by the history and creative activities of humankind and how this shapes societies and our future, then a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is for you. Our graduates are in demand for their flexible skills, practical outlook and depth of understanding they bring to their roles.
A major in Theatre Studies at Waikato can be a rich and challenging pathway within an Arts degree. It has a wide range of vocational applications within the Performing Arts. This suite of papers leads the student through processes of performance-making.
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Education and Society
- English
- Environmental Planning
- Geography
- History
- Human Development
- International Languages and Cultures
- Law
- Linguistics
- Music
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Māori Language/Te Reo Māori
- Pacific and Indigenous Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Population Studies
- Psychology
- Screen and Media Studies
- Social Policy
- Sociology
- Writing Studies
Apply to enrol
Key information
Years: | 3 |
---|---|
Points: | 360 |
Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | $6,591 - $7,608 per year |
Estimated Fees* (International): | $29,425 - $38,305 per year |
Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
Area of Study: | |
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. |
Career opportunities
- Actor
- Arts Administrator
- Director
- Stage Manager
- Teacher
- Theatre Technician
Degree Planner
Degree planner — BA in Theatre Studies
Year 1
Any 100 level
paper listed below
One from List A
Field of the Degree
100 level
Field of the Degree
100 level
Elective
Elective
Year 2
Any 200 level
paper listed below
Any 200 level
paper listed below
Any 200 level
paper listed below
One from List B
Field of the Degree
200 level
Elective
Elective
Elective
Year 3
One from List C
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
We recommend when selecting your List A paper at Level 100 you consider ARTSC105 - Language in Context
Papers (15 points unless stated otherwise)
100 Level
- ENGLI101 Adaptions
200 Level
- ENGLI202 Shakespeare's World
- THSTS212 Developing Text and Action
- THSTS260 Exploring the ‘Physical’ in Theatre
WRITE202 Creative Writing: Voice and Image
*Not all Papers are available each year
BA Papers
Lists A, B and C
List A: Academic Foundations
- ARTSC103 Rights and Reasons
- ARTSC105 Language in Context
- ENSLA103 Undergraduate Research Writing for ESL Students
- ENSLA202 Oral Skills for Academic English
List B: Cultural Perspectives
Any Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies paper, or- ANTHY101 Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
- ANTHY102 Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
- ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
- DSIGN252 Cultural Perspectives for Design
- EDUCA200 Te Hononga Tangata
- ENGLI200 Global Fictions
- GEOGY219 Māori Lands and Communities
- INTLC221 Understanding East Asia
- INTLC225 The French-speaking World from Astérix to Zombies
- LINGS203 Language, Society and Culture
- Any MAORI paper
- Any PACIS paper
List C: Work-Integrated Learning
- ALPSS301 Work-integrated learning - Placements
- ALPSS363 The Impact Lab
- ARTSW300 Arts and Cultural Festivals
- ARTSW301 Professional Practice in the Arts (prerequisites ARTSC110 - so open to all BA students)
- ARTSW302 Work-Related Project in the Arts (prerequisites ARTSC110 - so open to all BA students)
- LEGAL306 Dispute Resolution (BA Law students)
- LINGS301 Research Apprenticeship
- MEDIA307 Professional Studio Production
- POLCY318 Global Environmental Politics and Policy
- POPST300 Population Studies Work-Related Project
- PSYCH301 Psychology Research Assistantship
- SOCSC301 Work-Integrated Learning - Work-Related Project
- WRITE396 Writing Studies Work Placement
*Please consult our Student Advisors for the correct work-integrated learning paper.
Subject to approval
Papers
Papers available within Theatre Studies
The Theatre Studies Programme consists of papers that integrate practice and theory. The programme takes a practice-led approach to teaching and learning different aspects of theatre. We encourage students to explore and develop their performance practice, while thinking through what theatre does and can do in the world.
Theatre Studies is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA). Theatre Studies may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Theatre Studies as a single major for the BA, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Theatre Studies, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete THSTS101.
To complete Theatre Studies as part of a double major for the BA or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Theatre Studies, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete THSTS101.
To complete a minor in Theatre Studies, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Theatre Studies major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.
100 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
ENGLI101 | Adapting Stories | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
This paper explores the art of adaptation, examining the process of transformation that occurs when creative artists reimagine and retell stories in new ways and new media. | |||
THSTS101 | The Practice of Theatre | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
A practical/theory paper introducing theatre as an ongoing, integrated practice, deeply rooted in time and place. Through examining some of the major theatrical movements, viewing live and mediated performance and practical performance exercises, students engage with theatre as a living, growing practice. |
200 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
ENGLI202 | Shakespeare's Worlds | 15.0 | 24C (Hamilton) |
This paper explores Shakespeare's worlds in performance and in print, examining his plays and poems in the context of the dynamic cultural outputs from many other Renaissance artists. | |||
THSTS212 | Developing Text and Action | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
This paper develops performance and writing for performance skills. Using techniques based on contemporary/postdramatic methods in theatre and performance, students will engage with the creation and performance of new theatrical work, leading to performance assessment. | |||
THSTS260 | Exploring the Physical in Theatre | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
This paper charts the use of the term 'physical theatre', providing an overview of the areas of debate in the field. Workshops are contextualised by theoretical readings exploring the landscape from which the term emerged. | |||
WRITE202 | Creative Writing: Voice and Image | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
This course explores the basic elements of imaginative writing - image and voice - concentrating the student's attention on the central writing practices of 'seeing' and 'saying.' |
300 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
ALPSS390 | Directed Study | 15.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major or minor under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
THSTS302 | Arts, Creativity and Wellbeing | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
This paper integrates practice and theory, exploring embodied experiences of the relationships between arts, creativity and wellbeing. Contemporary theories of creativity and discussion of creative process in the arts will ground investigation of ways to foster and promote personal and social wellbeing in Aotearoa, Te Moana-Nui-A-K... | |||
THSTS303 | Reimagining Musical Theatre | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
This paper integrates practice and theory, critically investigating the popular genre of Musical Theatre and engaging in postdramatic practices to reimagine contemporary Musical Theatre. | |||
THSTS308 | Creating Theatre | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
A practical paper, supported by theory and research, which utilises performance techniques to develop, devise and create a public performance at the end of the semester. Students will contribute to all aspects of the production process. |
500 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
ALPSS500 | Academic & Professional Research & Writing | 30.0 | 24A (Online), 24B (Online) & 24C (Online) |
In this course, students will gain the skills and confidence to seamlessly transition from study to work. This course works to enhance the 'skills for the future' identified by the World Economic Forum (2020), in order to produce resilient, creative students with strong analytic and critical thinking skills. | |||
ALPSS590 | Directed Study | 30.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
THSTS501 | Practices in Creating Theatre | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
This paper integrates theory and creative practice research, utilising a range of methods to contribute to the development, devising and staging of a public performance. A range of methods will be investigated throughout the workshop process and applied within selected performance mediums. Creative practice research findings will i... | |||
THSTS560 | Special Topic: Applied Performance Practice | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
This paper introduces the nature, contexts and purposes of applied performance practice. Students will explore how performance practices can be used as a tool for critical enquiry, empowerment and social change. | |||
THSTS591 | Research Project | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
THSTS592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
THSTS593 | Theatre Studies Thesis | 90.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. |
800 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
THSTS800 | Theatre Studies MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
No description available. |
900 Level
Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
---|---|---|---|
THSTS900 | Theatre Studies PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 24I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton) |
No description available. | |||
THSTS901 | Theatre Studies Creative Practice PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 24I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton) |
No description available. |
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Subject links
Subject Requirements
For more information about subject requirements, please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information.
For more information about subject requirements, please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice, contact one of our friendly student advisors on phone:
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements, check the information provided in the papers section above.
Contacts
School of Arts
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4922
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]