Bachelor of Arts in Theatre–Performance

at EDUCO - University of Nebraska - Lincoln USA

Philosophy is the critical study of the fundamental concepts and assumptions involved in all central areas of human experience, including religion, morality, science, and art. The department offers an introduction to philosophy course designed for the general student, as well as introductory courses in logic and current issues.

The basic philosophy curriculum includes courses in the history of philosophy covering the period which begins with the development of rational inquiry by the philosophers of ancient Greece and which concludes with the construction of the modern philosophical systems of the Enlightenment as well as courses in each of the major fields of philosophical study: ethics, which is concerned with the basis of morality; metaphysics, which explores different views about what fundamentally exists; epistemology, which examines the nature and limits of human knowledge; and logic, which studies general methods of reasoned argument and analysis.

A number of courses reflect the role of philosophy in investigating the fundamental concepts and assumptions of other disciplines, including courses in medical ethics, the philosophy of law, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of mathematics.

Other courses focus on the role of philosophy in the critical analysis of basic evaluative conceptions and assumptions. Courses in political philosophy critically examine the evaluative concepts and assumptions involved in our beliefs about government, individual liberty, and social and economic justice. Courses in the philosophy of religion do the same for beliefs about the nature and existence of God and about the relations between faith and knowledge.

The department also offers courses in aesthetics, the philosophical study of art, music, and literature understood as fundamental forms of human culture and significant expressions of the human spirit.

The interdisciplinary character of philosophy, together with its focus on evaluative issues and its unique emphasis on general methods of reasoned argument and analysis, leads to an unusually broad and intellectually sound major for students preparing themselves for such professions as law, medicine, social work, government service, and the ministry. The philosophy major is indispensable for those who wish to prepare for a career as a philosopher within a college or university setting.

The bachelor of science in integrated science offers students the opportunity to design their own degree program. As an alternative to traditional majors, this individualized program of study allows students to pursue their academic and professional goals in concentration areas not available within existing departmental curricula. With the mentoring of a faculty advisory committee, students focus their degree and select courses across multiple concentration areas to create an individualized and interdisciplinary program of study. Specific degree requirements and concentrations are defined and approved by the student's faculty advisory committee.

The women’s and gender studies (WGS) major is a multidisciplinary academic program with courses that focus on knowledge relating to women, gender, and sexuality.

The program is designed to help students to learn about the historical and contemporary contributions of women and to analyze the construction and representation of gender in the arts, literature, history, psychology, education, contemporary culture, politics, and society. Students are challenged to examine critically assumptions about women and gender held by academic disciplines and to evaluate them based on current research and individual experience. Students also explore sex roles, gender systems, and sexuality in various cultures as they change over time.

This program offers comprehensive actor training through a core of six different acting courses, which move from basic process work to detailed exploration of specific technical and stylistic demands. Students may also take as many as four semesters each of voice and speech training and movement training.

The journalism major is built on a solid base of instruction in reporting and writing, copy editing, visual communication and multimedia journalism. The major also has broadened its curriculum in response to advancing technology and new electronic and mobile media. Elective choices include courses in magazine writing, depth reporting, feature writing, sports writing, business writing, photography, design, data visualization, Web design, videography and advanced editing.

Many of the journalism faculty members have extensive industry experience at a wide variety of media organizations such as The Miami Herald, ProPublica, The Detroit News, Business Week, Omaha World-Herald, Seward County Independent, Lincoln Journal-Star and The New York Times. The faculty continues to be connected to the industry, and its members are actively involved in professional media organizations. Students, likewise, are encouraged to further their professional goals through participation in student organizations such as the Alpha Epsilon Rho national broadcasting society, the Society of Professional Journalists, Northwest Broadcast News Association, Radio, Television News Directors Association, the Radio Television Digital News Association and the American Copy Editors Society.

The environmental studies major is designed for students who want to make a difference and contribute to solving environmental challenges on a local to global scale. Solutions to challenges such as climate change, pollution, and resource conservation require individuals who have a broad-based knowledge in the natural and social sciences, as well as strength in a specific discipline. The environmental studies major will provide the knowledge and skills needed for students to work across disciplines and to be competitive in the job market. The environmental studies program uses a holistic approach and a framework of sustainability. This framework recognizes the necessity of meeting current resource needs without compromising the environment or the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Geography is a comprehensive discipline that, via spatial patterns analysis, reveals the intricate attributes and connectivity of human cultures and the natural environment. As such, geography is critical to understanding the complexities of global change. Students may specialize in one of many areas, including climate and weather, cultural/human geography, geographic information systems, historical geography of the Great Plains, natural resources, physical geography, pre-community and regional planning, regional studies, or remote sensing.

An education in geography prepares students for careers in government agencies as well as those involved with foreign service, land management, tourism, health care delivery systems, environmental assessment, transportation development, land use planning, air traffic control, and GIS and cartographic analysis, and in a wide variety of businesses, particularly those concerned with environmental mapping, geographic information systems, and planning. A geography major also prepares students for graduate-level degrees in geography, law (especially environmental law), international business, urban and regional planning, and teaching at all levels.

The music major is available in two degree programs. Both include the opportunity to take applied lessons with highly acclaimed faculty artists and scholars, as well as a compulsory foundation in music theory and history, keyboard skills, and ensemble participation.

Students choosing the bachelor of arts degree can expect a substantial amount of musical study encompassing about three years. This degree consists of six successive semesters of applied lessons culminating with a junior recital in the sixth semester. Alternatively, those who wish to pursue research in music may present a research project or document in lieu of the junior recital and last semester of applied lessons. The BA degree requires that a minor area of study be included in the program of studies.

Students desiring a course of study in music that will prepare them for graduate study and eventually a professional career in performance, music theory, music history, composition, or piano pedagogy should pursue a bachelor of music degree. The BM degree is recommended for students who have the desire and capacity to reach high standards of achievement in performance study. Students with composition background may pursue the composition option, while music scholars wishing to increase their understanding of the history and/or theory of music can pursue the music history or music theory options. The performance options include eight successive semesters of applied lessons and culminate with a senior recital.

The environmental studies major is designed for students who want to make a difference and contribute to solving environmental challenges on a local to global scale. Solutions to challenges such as climate change, pollution, and resource conservation require individuals who have a broad-based knowledge in the natural and social sciences, as well as strength in a specific discipline. The environmental studies major will provide the knowledge and skills needed for students to work across disciplines and to be competitive in the job market. The environmental studies program uses a holistic approach and a framework of sustainability. This framework recognizes the necessity of meeting current resource needs without compromising the environment or the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

The classics and religious studies major offers a wide range of courses in the languages, civilization, religions, and culture of the ancient Mediterranean world, as well as ancient and modern religions broadly conceived. It is an interdisciplinary major with three options: Classical Languages, Classics, and Religious Studies. The major serves as excellent preparation for careers in any number of fields, such as law, medicine, journalism, ministry, business, and education. Depending on your chosen option, this major also provides you with an excellent background to pursue graduate work in classical languages and literature, classical archaeology, ancient history, religious studies, literary scholarship, and other disciplines in the humanities.

Classical Languages Option
Focuses on proficiency in the translation and understanding of Greek, Latin, or Hebrew, and familiarity with lexical and grammatical tools associated with the translation.

Classics Option
Provides a focus on the social and intellectual components comprising the civilization and culture of the ancient Mediterranean world and their impact on subsequent western culture.

Religious Studies Option
Identifies and analyzes major world religious traditions and their influence on individual, social, and cultural phenomena considered from both global and historical standpoints.