Course Descriptions
Teaching English as a Second Language
Technical Translation
Theatre
Teaching English as a Second Language
College of Education
| TESL 425. Cross-Cultural Education. 3 credits. |
| The course provides students with knowledge of the effects of socio-cultural variables in an instructional setting. |
| TESL 426. Concepts in First and Second Language Acquisition. 3 credits. |
| This course is designed to help students gain familiarity with first and second language acquisition. In understanding the process of language acquisition, students will be better equipped to design instructional strategies that facilitate English Language Learners language acquisition, and to create supportive environments. Prerequisites: EDUC 310, ELED 310, SCOM 248 or permission of instructor. |
| TESL 428. Assessment for Curriculum Development in English as a Second Language. 3 credits. |
| The course provides students with a variety of assessment practices for assessing English language learners' abilities. Students will examine ways to use assessment results in the development of appropriate curriculum. Prerequisites: TESL 426; ESL minors only. |
| TESL 470. Methods in Teaching English as a Second Language. 3 credits. |
| This course is designed to provide preservice ESL teachers with experiences in designing and implementing instructional strategies to meet the linguistic needs of English Language Learners and utilizing assessment instruments to evaluate student progress. Prerequisite: For ESL minors who are enrolled in a teacher licensure program. |
Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures
| TR 300. Introduction to Translation. 3 credits. |
| An intensive course that focuses on fundamental principles, general methods, and the use and development of lexical materials in translation. Prerequisite: 300-level course in a foreign language or equivalent (foreign literature/civilization courses taught in English do not count). |
| TR 311. Spanish-English Technical/Commercial Translation. 3 credits. |
| In this course students analyze the main grammatical differences between Spanish and English with the focus on producing accurate and idiomatic translations into both languages. Prerequisite: SPAN 330. |
| TR 321. English-Spanish Technical/Commercial Translation. 3 credits. |
| English-Spanish translation applied in several commercial (i.e., marketing, finance) and technical (i.e., electricity and electronics, software, hardware) fields. Focus will be on the acquisition of specialized knowledge (both linguistic and extralinguistic) and the delivery of professional documents in real-market conditions. Fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major. Prerequisites: TR 300 and SPAN 330 or permission of the instructor. |
| TR 331. French-English Technical/Commercial Translation. 3 credits. |
| French-English translation applied in several commercial (i.e., marketing, finance) and technical (i.e., electricity and electronics, software, hardware) fields. Focus will be on the acquisition of specialized knowledge (both linguistic and extralinguistic) and the delivery of professional documents in real-market conditions. Fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major. Prerequisites: TR 300 and FR 330, or permission of the instructor. |
| TR 341. German-English Technical/Commercial Translation. 3 credits. |
| German-English translation applied in several commercial (i.e., marketing, finance) and technical (i.e., electricity and electronics, software, hardware) fields. Focus will be on the acquisition of specialized knowledge (both linguistic and extralinguistic) and the delivery of professional documents in real-market conditions. Fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major. Prerequisites: TR 300 and GER 330 or permission of the instructor. |
| TR 351. Italian-English Technical/Commercial Translation. 3 credits. |
| Italian-English translation applied in several commercial (i.e., marketing, finance) and technical (i.e., electricity and electronics, software, hardware) fields. Focus will be on the acquisition of specialized knowledge (both linguistic and extralinguistic) and the delivery of professional documents in real-market conditions. Fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major. Prerequisites: TR 300 and ITAL 330 or permission of the instructor. |
| TR 361. Russian-English Technical/Commercial Translation. 3 credits. |
| Russian-English translation applied in several commercial (i.e., marketing, finance) and technical (i.e., electricity and electronics, software, hardware) fields. Focus will be on the acquisition of specialized knowledge (both linguistic and extralinguistic) and the delivery of professional documents in real-market conditions. Fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major. Prerequisites: TR 300 and RUS 330 or permission of the instructor. |
| TR 400. Text Revision. 3 credits. |
| Text revision focuses on the principles of linguistic revision applied to texts translated into English or written in English. It also involves the relationship between the translator and the reviser. Texts are evaluated and corrected on several levels: spelling, punctuation, syntax, semantics, stylistics, pragmatics. Prerequisite: TR 300. |
| TR 402. Theory and Practice in Terminology and Lexicography. 3 credits. |
| Terminology is the study and compilation of specialized terms used in LSPs (Languages for Special Purposes). This course addresses theories of terminology and terminology management, including computer applications designed to support the work of translators, technical writers and information specialists. Prerequisite: TR 300. |
| TR 404. Computer Tools for Translators. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Modern translation involves numerous computer applications. This course addresses the main components of the translator's workstation. Students will gain hands-on experience of advanced work-processes features, machine-aided translation tools and statistical linguistics software. Prerequisite: TR 300. |
| TR 406. Web Site and Software Localization. 3 credits. |
| This course addressees the business, technical, cultural and linguistic issues involved in the complex process of localizing Web sites and software for foreign markets. Internet will be used as the forum through which to present and discuss class material. Prerequisite: TR 300 or permission of instructor. |
| TR 408. Project/Workflow Management. 3 credits. |
| Management, business, technical, and computer-related issues involved in localizing Web sites and software for foreign markets. Budgeting, negotiations and relationships with translators and clients will be simulate. Prerequisites: TR 300 or permission of instructor. |
| TR 429. Spanish-English Text Revision. 3 credits. |
| Text revision focuses on the principles of linguistic revision applied to texts translated from Spanish into English or written in English. It also involves the relationship between the translator and the reviser. Texts are evaluated and corrected on several levels: spelling, punctuation, syntax, semantics, stylistics, pragmatics. Prerequisite: TR 300. |
| TR/SPAN 435. Translation Strategies. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Students discuss aspects of translation theory such as skopos, translation loss, translation gain and language bias. They learn several translation techniques at phrase and sentence levels and practice these techniques thoroughly. They also investigate aspects of terminology, terminology mining and terminology management. Prerequisite: SPAN 300. |
| TR 439. Song Translation, French into English. 3 credits. |
| Analysis of famous French songs at the lexical, sociolingustic and semantic levels, and their translations. Emphasis will be placed on prosodic translation and the meaning of the lyrics. Prerequisite: FR 300. |
| TR 495. Internship in Translation, Interpreting or Terminology. 3 credits. |
| Real experience in a translation bureau, an in-house translation department, or any other business/government entity needing translation services. The internship leads to a report, which is evaluated by a panel. Prerequisites: TR 300 and at least one specialized translation class. Permission of the instructor. |
| TR 496. Freelance Translation, Interpreting or Terminology. 3 credits. |
| Real experience with clients needing translation services, terminology management or other linguistic consulting services. Students are supervised by their JMU adviser. The freelance activity leads to a report, which is evaluated by a panel. Prerequisites: TR 300 and at least one specialized translation class and permission of the instructor. |
School of Theatre and Dance
| THEA/DANC 171. Performance Production. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| An introduction to the methods of the production of scenery, properties, costumes, lighting, sound and performance management for theatre and dance performances. Instruction in the skills required for the operation of associated tools and equipment and instruction in the skills required for the operation of lighting and sound equipment will be taught. |
| THEA 190. Topics in Theatre. 1-3 credits, repeatable to 6 credits. Offered summer. |
| Study of the practice of the various aspects of theatre. Emphasis on applied projects structured to provide technical and performance experience. Offered in summer session only with the consent of the director and the instructor. Will not count as credit toward major. |
| THEA 200. Theatre Practicum. 1 credit. Offered fall, spring and summer. |
| Students who participate in co-curricular theatre activities may receive one hour credit per semester. May be repeated during junior and senior years. No student may enroll in more than one practicum per semester. Majors may apply a maximum of four hours practicum credit toward meeting major requirements. |
| GTHEA 210. Introduction to Theatre. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Study of the theatre as an art form. Emphasis on introducing students to a broad spectrum of theatrical activity and opinion. Consideration of the components that comprise a theatre event including acting, directing, design, costuming, lighting and playwriting. |
| THEA 211. Performance Analysis. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Plays are examined as texts for performance. Theories of performance and methods for the analysis of performances in and out of the theatre are studied. |
| THEA 251. Acting I: Basic Acting. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| A study of basic acting as a performance experience. Emphasis on fundamentals of performance including concentration, transitions, interaction and the structuring of action. |
| THEA 261. Voice for the Stage. 3 credits. Offered once a year. |
| Theories and exercises designed to equip the student with proper speech for the stage through a fundamental understanding of phonetics and articulation. |
| THEA 271. Technical Theatre. 3 credits. Offered once every other year. |
| Study of the technical aspects of stage production. Emphasis upon practical experience in the use of stage and shop facilities. Consideration of the physical theatre and stage, construction, painting and rigging of scenery as applied to theatrical production. |
| THEA 273. Visual Aspects of Theatre. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Study of the interrelationship between the playwright, director and actor with the scenic, lighting and costume designers; introduction of the basic documents of the design process; survey of current and historical trends in theatrical design; no artistic or technical skills necessary. |
| THEA 300. Theatre Practicum. 1 credit. Offered fall and spring. |
| Students who participate in co-curricular theatre activities may receive one credit per semester. May be repeated during junior and senior years. No student may enroll in more than one practicum per semester. Majors may apply a maximum of four hours practicum credit toward meeting major requirements. |
| THEA 303. Topics in Theatre. 1-3 credits, repeatable to 6 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Study of current topics and issues in theatre. Emphasis on contemporary themes of immediate concern. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. |
| THEA 310. Theatre for Young Audiences. 3 credits. |
| Study of the principles, contemporary trends and practical techniques involving the production of theatrical materials for young audiences. |
| THEA 315. The European Theatre Tradition to 1800. 3 credits. Offered fall. |
| The history of the European theatre tradition from its beginning in Athens to the 18th century is studied with respect to theatre architecture, scene and costume design, political and social context, intellectual climate, and the theory and history of acting. |
| THEA 316. The European Theatre Tradition from 1800. 3 credits. Offered spring. |
| The history of the European theatre tradition from the 18th century to the present is studied with respect to theatre architecture, scene and costume design, political and social context, intellectual climate, and the theory and history of acting. |
| THEA 320. History of Performance in Motion Pictures. 3 credits. |
| A survey of motion pictures as records of the forms, techniques and social impact of dramatic performance. Emphasis on the shaping of performance style within changing cultural contexts. Consideration of particular films and performers as exemplars of important periods. |
| THEA 331. Technical Costuming. 3 credits. Offered once a year. |
| Introduction to the technical aspects involved in building complete costume ensembles for the stage, screen and dance. Emphasis placed on experiencing unique problems in production situations, including specialized costume and accessory construction, ornamentation, fabric treatment, difficulties, and alternatives in presenting historical clothing and renovating and exploiting available materials. |
| THEA 332. Survey of Costume Fashion and Manners. 3 credits. Offered once a year. |
| A survey of Western world costume from 4000 B.C. to the present as it reflects the sociocultural and socioeconomic aspects of the times. Emphasis on the evaluation of historic costume in relation to architecture, sculpture, painting and other art forms. |
| THEA 333. Costume Design. 3 credits. Offered once a year. |
| The study of basic design and construction techniques of stage costumes. Emphasis on costuming in terms of the total production concept including directorial approach, setting and lighting design. Consideration of the process of costuming a theatrical production from first production meetings to opening night. |
| THEA 336. History, Theory and Practice of Stage Makeup. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Study of the history and practice of makeup for ceremonial and theatrical presentations of selected major cultures, from ancient Egypt to the present. Consideration given to makeup as a reflection of the social organization of each culture. Emphasis on makeup as an important element in the history of design aesthetics as well as a vital part of the performing arts. |
| THEA/ENG 347. Playwriting. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Study of the process of writing plays. Consideration of plot, character, thematic material, conflict and dramatic structure. Emphasis on individual writing assignments. |
| THEA 351. Acting II: Intermediate Acting. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Study of the fundamental theories and methods of acting. Emphasis on laboratory experience in the preparation of scenes. Consideration of various acting techniques through performance with maximum individual on-stage instruction. Prerequisite: THEA 251 or permission of the instructor. |
| THEA 353. Music Theatre Performance. 2 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Introductory course exploring the fundamentals of song analysis technique in the preparation of music theatre repertory for performance. Emphasis on solo song preparation. Basic music skills and singing ability are highly recommended. Prerequisite: THEA 251 or consent of the instructor. Audition may be required. |
| THEA 355. Directing for the Theatre. 3 credits. Offered fall. |
| Study of the principles, problems and techniques of play direction. Emphasis on historical and modern theories. Techniques of direction considered as applied to the stage and cinematography. Prerequisites: THEA 251 and either GTHEA 210 or THEA 211. |
| THEA/MUS 357. Music Theatre History and Analysis. 3 credits. Offered once every other year. |
| Survey of musical theatre genres, composers, lyricists, performers, directors and choreographers in America from 1750 to the present. Includes practical study of the format of the libretto and musical score in relationship to the major musical theatre genres. Consideration of how music theatre developed from and reflected the cultural, social and political landscape of its time. |
| THEA 371. Advanced Technical Theatre. 3 credits. |
| Advanced study of the technical aspects of stage production. Emphasis upon contemporary scenographic techniques. Consideration of construction, decoration, rigging and touring problems in theatre production. Prerequisite: THEA 171 or permission of the instructor. |
| THEA 374. Stage Lighting. 3 credits. Offered fall. |
| Study and analysis of stage lighting. Consideration given to basic elements of electricity, electrical control and circuitry, reflection, refraction and color. Emphasis on the lighting design and aesthetics of a theatrical production. |
| THEA 376. Scene Design. 3 credits. Offered spring. |
| Study and analysis of the visual elements of theatrical production. Emphasis on the principles and elements of design, drafting and rendering. Consideration of the aesthetics of stage design through specific applied projects. |
| THEA 382. Contemporary Theatre. 3 credits. Offered once every other year. |
| Study of post-1968 world theatre with particular attention to English and American drama. Emphasis is placed on significant drama of the last 25 years with discussion of trends in theatrical production and dramatic writing in recent decades. |
| THEA 390. Directed Projects. 3 credits, repeatable to 6 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Supervised projects related to the study of theatre. Credit given for original, individual or group programs beyond the usual course offerings in theatre. A suitable completed project or report is required before credit can be awarded. Prerequisite: Permission of the director. |
| THEA 440. Seminar in Theatre. 3 credits. |
| Studies of topics in theatre. Emphasis on research methods unique to theatre studies. Consideration of topics in both theoretical and practical aspects of theatre. |
| THEA 441. Senior Seminar in Theatre. 3 credits. Offered fall. |
| In this capstone course, students will spend the semester developing a research project. Students will produce a piece of original scholarship related to their study in the major. Career planning, dramatic criticism and other topics of interest will be included. Prerequisites: Senior standing and admission to the major. |
| THEA/ENG 447. Advanced Playwriting. 3 credits. Offered once a year. |
| An advanced workshop with emphasis on developing full-length dramatic material. Prerequisite: THEA/ENG 347. |
| THEA 449. London Theatre. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| Study of London theatre. Consideration given to current productions of classic and contemporary works. Emphasis on production elements including acting, directing, design, writing and economic considerations. Prerequisite: Semester-in-London students only. |
| THEA 450. The Open Studio: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Creative Arts. 3 credits. |
| Introduction to the interdisciplinary studio through discussion of the history of interdisciplinary art and exposure to contemporary examples from dance, theatre, music, creative writing, visual art, film and video. Emphasis on production of original work that evidences the use of another media or collaborative work by artists from different disciplines. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor(s) and advanced skill level in one or more of the creative arts. |
| THEA 452. Acting III: Contemporary Scene Study. 3 credits. Offered fall. |
| Study of advanced acting technique through the analysis, discussion and presentation of contemporary scenes. Emphasis on developing tools to improve the pursuit of an intention, partnering and moment-to-moment work. Prerequisite: THEA 351 and permission of the instructor. |
| THEA 453. Acting IV: Approaches to Heightened Language. 3 credits. Offered spring. |
| Advanced study of script analysis and performance technique in multiple genres exploring heightened dramatic text. Exploration will be through individual and group assignments. Emphasis on practical tools including scansion, imagery work and the translation of text into active physical choices. Prerequisite: THEA 452 and permission of the instructor. |
| THEA 454. Advanced Music Theatre Performance. 2 credits. Offered spring. |
| Continuation of THEA 353 emphasizing more complex problems in music theatre performance including duets, trios, musical scenes and professional audition technique. Prerequisite: THEA 353. Audition may be required. |
| THEA 460. Auditioning and Professional Issues. 3 credits. Offered fall. |
| Study of advanced audition techniques for the stage. Emphasis on the selection, scoring and performance of monologues. Consideration of professional issues in regard to graduate-level study or professional work in performance. Prerequisite: THEA 453 or permission of the instructor. |
| THEA 466. Media Performance. 3 credits. |
| Study of the principles and techniques of dramatic performance for the camera and microphone. Emphasis on the adaptation of each student's performance and production skills to the recording and filming of narrative works. Consideration of the differing problems and potentials of stage, video and film presentations. Prerequisite: THEA 452 or permission of the instructor. |
| THEA/DANC 471. Stage Management. 3 credits. |
| Study and analysis of stage management. Consideration given to the methods and strategies for successful stage management for theatre, dance and other performances. Emphasis on developing management and organizational skills. Prerequisite: THEA 171. |
| THEA 473. Advanced Design and Rendering. 3 credits. |
| Advanced study in design for performance through theoretical production planning. Instruction in illustration and presentation methods necessary to communicate scenery, costume and lighting designs for performance. Emphasis is placed on the collaborative interaction between the production designers
and the director or choreographer toward the creation of unified design. |
| THEA 481. Theory and Performance Studies. 3 credits. Offered spring. |
| Twentieth and 21st century theories and performance are studied and performance traditions outside of Europe are examined. Prerequisite: THEA 211. |
| THEA 485. American Theatre. 3 credits. |
| Study and analysis of the American theatre experience as presented in the dramatic literature of the country. Emphasis on basic American themes. Consideration of plays, playwrights and performers significant to the development of American theatre. |
| THEA 488. Experimental Theatre. 3 credits. Offered spring. |
| Study of avant-garde theatre. Emphasis on motivating and guiding advanced students to a higher degree of aesthetic appreciation of the theatre. Consideration of the relationship of experimental theatre to the traditional theatre. |
| THEA 490. Special Studies in Theatre. 1-3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| An independent study for students to pursue individual research under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Prerequisites: Senior theatre majors in good standing and permission of the director. |
| THEA 495. Internship in Theatre. 3-6 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
| A faculty-arranged, prepared and monitored off-campus internship program designed to provide practical experience in theatre for students preparing for careers in those areas. Prerequisite: Permission of the director. |
| THEA 499. Honors in Theatre. 1-3 credits. Offered fall and spring. |
Following most course titles and credit hours is the anticipated semester offering, indicating whether a course may be scheduled in the fall, spring or summer semester. This information is provided to help students plan their course schedules. The anticipated semester offering is not the same as the schedule of classes, and the semesters listed are indicative of when the courses may be offered, not a guarantee that the course will be available every semester listed.
A G in bold and italics or an asterisk (*) preceding the course prefix and number indicates a course which potentially meets general education requirements. (If the course is part of a course sequence, the asterisk appears after the appropriate course's prefix and number.) See General Education information.
If a course has a separate laboratory period, the number of lecture hours and the number of laboratory hours per week will be shown in parentheses immediately following the course title.
