Degree Requirements
All students are required to complete overall degree requirements in addition to their major. Please see Degree Completion Requirements for full details for students entering in the 2023-2024 catalog year.
Those students who started at Hiram prior to the 2023-2024 academic year will follow the Degree Requirements outlined in your catalog of record.
Majors are required to participate in performance events and to assist faculty conductors, directors and designers. The application of theory to practice is one of the program’s basic teaching principles; therefore, all majors will participate in at least two performing arts events each year. Vocal and instrumental concerts, full-length plays, musicals, and operas as well as recitals and one-act plays or scenes give students diverse opportunities to apply their knowledge and training.
Majors are strongly encouraged to complete a performing arts-related study abroad or study-away course, internship, or off-campus summer training program which may also meet the student’s Hiram Connect requirement.
The Senior Capstone Experience is required by all performing arts majors. The student, with counsel from faculty advisors, will determine a capstone that 1) advances the student’s specific academic and artistic interest in the performing arts, 2) demonstrates the student’s understanding of both the practical and theoretical knowledge of their area of concentration, and 3) distinctly reflects the student’s rigor of study and competency in the field.
Major Requirements
Core Requirements (14 credits)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PERF 10100 | PERFORMANCE AND SOCIETY:CM | 4 |
| PERF 1XXXX | Foundations of Music:CM,IM | 3 |
| PERF 1XXXX | Foundations of Theatre:CM,IM | 3 |
| PERF 2XXXX | Technology and Business in the Arts:CA | 4 |
| Total Hours | 14 | |
Critical Engagement Electives (16 credits)
Performing arts majors are required to choose, with their advisor, four (4) elective PERF classes. One must be 20000-level or above; one must be a 30000-level or above. Many of the options available will satisfy core requirements* as well, such as the following:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CM | ||
| ARDE 12500 | INTRODUCTION TO FILMMAKING:CM | 4 |
| ARDE 23600 | EXPERIMENTAL FILMMAKING:CM | 4 |
| PERF 10600 | INTRO TO MUSIC TECHNOLOGY:CM | 3 |
| PERF 11000 | BEGINNING DANCE I:CM | 4 |
| PERF 12010 | FUNDAMNTL PRNCPLS OF ACTING:CM | 3 |
| PERF 17000 | TECHNICAL PRODUCTION:CM | 3 |
| PERF 20910 | SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORMANCE:CM | 3 |
| IM | ||
| PERF 10200 | SURVEY OF AMERICAN MUSIC:IM | 3 |
| PERF 10800 | HISTORY OF ROCK & ROLL:IM | 3 |
| PERF 15000 | INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE:IM | 3 |
| UD | ||
| PERF 20900 | HISTORY OF JAZZ:UD | 3 |
| PERF 21000 | AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC:IM,UD | 4 |
| PERF 20100 | QUILTING SOCIAL JUSTICE:CM,UD | 4 |
| EW | ||
| PERF 10301 | PERF ARTS IN GLOBALCULTR:CM,EW | 4 |
| PERF 22000 | ASIAN ARTS CULTURES:EW,IM | 4 |
| CA | ||
| PERF 12000 | CINEMEXICANIDAD:MEXCULTR:CA,EW | 4 |
| PERF 23100 | MUSICIAN AS ENTREPRENEUR:CA | 3 |
| PERF 21800 | MUSIC AND GENDER:CA | 3 |
| Courses from outside of performing arts are be approved by advisors. | ||
| *Note that some courses will satisfy two core requirements, as indicated in the course title. | ||
Experience Electives (0-8 credits)
Performing arts majors are required to participate in a least one arts experience each semester. These may be participating in a play (onstage or backstage), being a part of a music ensemble, or taking private music lessons. If the student declares later in the second year, these experiences can be made up by doing 2 per semester, for a total of 8 experiences in the student's four-year program. These experiences can be taken for 0 credits or 1 credit.
Student Choice Electives
This major affords students great flexibility to complete the requirements and the core with "time to spare." Students may use these available credits to deepen their knowledge and add breadth in the performing arts by choosing more electives to create an individualized program, or they may choose to follow other interests in choosing a minor or adding a second major.
Senior Capstone (4 credits)
Students will complete a capstone in either theatre or music.
Pathway
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall 12 Week | Hours | |
| UCS 10101 | FIRST-YEAR ENDURING QUESTIONS | 4 |
| PERF 10100 | PERFORMANCE AND SOCIETY:CM 1 | 4 |
| Core or Critical Engagement Requirement 2 | 4 | |
| Experience Elective 3 | 0-1 | |
| Hours | 12-13 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Core Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| UCS 20201 | ADDRESSING URGENT QUESTIONS | 4 |
| Core or Critical Engagement Requirement 2 | 4 | |
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 4 | |
| Experience Elective 3 | 0-1 | |
| Hours | 12-13 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Core Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall 12 Week | ||
| PERF 1XXXX | FOUNDATIONS OF THEATRE:CM,IM (or Music) | 3 |
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 4 | |
| Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Experience Elective 3 | 0-1 | |
| Hours | 11-12 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| PERF 1XXXX | FOUNDATIONS OF MUSIC:CM,IM (or Theatre) | 3 |
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 4 | |
| Core Requirement | 4 | |
| Experience Elective 3 | 0-1 | |
| Hours | 11-12 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Summer | ||
| Connect Experience 5 | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall 12 Week | ||
| UCS 30301 | URGENT CHALLENGE SEMINAR:TT | 4 |
| PERF 2XXXX | TECH & BUSINESS IN THE ARTS | 4 |
| 2XXXX | Core or Critical Engagement Requirement 2 | 4 |
| Experience Elective 3 | 0-1 | |
| Hours | 12-13 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| Core Requirement | 4 | |
| 3XXXX | Core or Critical Engagement Elective 2 | 4 |
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 4 | |
| Experience Elective 3 | 0-1 | |
| Hours | 12-13 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall 12 Week | ||
| THEA 48000 or MUSI 48000 |
SENIOR SEMINAR or SENIOR SEMINAR |
1-4 |
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 4 | |
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 4 | |
| Experience Elective 3 | 0-1 | |
| Hours | 9-13 | |
| Fall 3 Week | ||
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Spring 12 Week | ||
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 4 | |
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 4 | |
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 4 | |
| Experience Elective 3 | 0-1 | |
| Hours | 12-13 | |
| Spring 3 Week | ||
| Student Choice Elective 4 | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 3-4 | |
| Total Hours | 118-138 | |
- 1
PERF 10100 PERFORMANCE AND SOCIETY:CM will be taught every other year in the fall. If students do not get it in their first year, they should register for the class in their second year, as it forms a foundation and introduction to the tenets of the major.
- 2
Performing arts majors are required to choose, with their advisor, 4 elective PERF classes. One must be a 20000-level or above; one must be a 30000-level or above. Many of the options available will satisfy several core requirements as well. Please refer to the major requirements page and speak with a member of the program faculty to get a complete list.
- 3
Performing arts majors are required to participate in at least one arts experience each semester. These may be participating in a play (onstage or backstage), being part of a music ensemble, or taking private lessons. If the student declares later in the second year, these experiences can be made up by doing two per semester, for a total of eight experiences in the student's four-year program. These experiences can be taken for 0 credit or 1 credit.
- 4
The performing arts major affords students great flexibility to complete the requirements and the core with "time to spare." Students may use these slots to deepen their knowledge and add breadth in the performing arts by choosing more electives to create an individualized program, or they may choose to follow other interests in choosing a minor or adding a second major.
- 5
Connect experience should be connected to the major.
PATHWAY NOTES:
This is a recommended major pathway; individual pathways may vary. Advisor consultation is a vital part of timely graduation.
An elective may replace the core requirement if the core is met by the major.
Students must fulfill all Hiram College graduation requirements. The minimum total semester credit hours for graduation is 120.
Students who enter with transfer or other credit hours should have those credit hours evaluated by the registrar towards fulfillment of listed requirements. (See Hiram College Transfer Policy.)