Looking for a gentler semester? Start with courses where students have earned higher grades.
Highest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.
11 courses
Ranked courses have at least 100 recorded letter grades.
Performance in Practice offers students practical theatrical experience and skills by working on a University Theatre production in various performance-related positions.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Intro course analyzing race, gender, and diversity in U.S. settings via theatre/drama. Uses the Theatre for Cultural and Social Awareness Method to question biases and encourage healthy dialogue.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Mark Hairston
One student reported the class involved lots of reading and that answers were often marked wrong unless they matched the professor's specific interpretation.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Introduction to Acting provides a basic overview of acting craft, developing actor tools related to voice, movement, language skills, and engaging communication for professional and personal contexts.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Stephen Tabor
The course required few assignments beyond participation and acting, with extra credit opportunities available for major tests and essays.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Fundamentals of Acting focuses on developing voice, characterization, and physicality techniques, applying them in individual performance and scene study of contemporary dramatic texts.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Audrey Standish
The course represents a significant step up from introductory levels, with the instructor consistently raising the bar for actors and pushing students to improve.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Script Analysis studies dramatic structure and basic elements of theatrical text, introducing applied methods for researching, writing, directing, designing, performing, and critiquing plays and screenplays.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Experiencing Theatre explores how theatre is made by attending live performances, watching filmed productions, and engaging in colloquiums with professionals to develop critical thinking and empathy.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Dan Lisowski
The workload included one 50-minute lecture per week and watching plays, either in person or online. Grading relied heavily on attendance and submitting weekly reactions or quizzes about the viewed performances.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Introduction to Theatre and Dramatic Literature covers reading plays, attending productions, and critical writing to develop analytic skills in theatre.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Scott Campbell
The course involved reading ten plays, with weekly quizzes and open-note online exams that were easy to pass.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Acting Skills for Life applies acting techniques to non-arts settings like business and education, focusing on public speaking confidence, communication, and managing stage fright.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Clare Haden
Students described the workload as light, with short, informal writing assignments and brief readings. One student noted the work felt like less than two credits, while others found the varied weekly tasks manageable and fun.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Fundamentals of Theatrical Design covers foundational elements of theatrical design and skills to translate text into visual and/or aural content.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Technical Theatre Fundamentals covers mounting theatrical productions through scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, and stage management with lectures and practical experience.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Voice 1: Effective Communication introduces voice and speech fundamentals, focusing on healthful vocal function and methods of expression for acting and public speaking.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026