- Creative Arts Core
- Fine Arts Emphasis
- Fine Arts Emphasis Required Electives
- Theatre Emphasis
- Theatre Emphasis Required Electives
- Fine Arts 4-Year Plan
- Theatre 4-Year Plan
ART 121 – Drawing I
3 credit hours
Drawing in various media including pencil, charcoal, conté, pastel, and pen and ink. Subjects include still life, models, landscape, and animals.
ENGL 215 – Business and Technical Communications
3 credit hours
Written communications stressing conciseness, clarity, precision, audience, revision, and persuasion. Memoranda, letters, reports, proposals, document design, graphic presentation, and other forms of workplace communications. Students will work in groups and will present their projects in formal presentations.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102
HUMA 357 – Humanities Internship
3 credit hours
Students will intern for employers to practice skills learned in their disciplines and to gain a deeper understanding of career expectations. Students must complete forty hours of work per academic credit. Students will also complete several assignments supervised by a WPU instructor.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or instructor’s consent.
HUMA 390 – Applied Communication Seminar
This is a capstone course for Humanities majors that focuses on career exploration, preparation, and obtainment. The course will help students discuss career preparation, placement, ethics, and development. Students will create a senior project that highlights their career readiness.
Prerequisite: Senior standing or instructor’s consent.
MUSI 104 – Fundamentals of Music
3 credit hours
An introduction to the fundamentals of music theory, listening, appreciation, composition and improvisation with an emphasis on practical musicianship and hands-on learning. Exercises will include performance, composition and listening exercises. Keyboard experience is helpful but not required. Students may find it helpful to take the group piano class concurrently or study piano privately.
Prerequisites: Previous musical experience (singing or playing) helpful.
THEA 212 – Oral Interpretation
3 credit hours
This course will introduce students to a specific, systematic understanding of performed literature. An emphasis will be placed on connecting the analytical and presentational skills utilized in Oral Interpretation to skills needed in a variety of post-graduate and/or occupational scenarios.
ART 215 – History of Art
3 credit hours
An art historical introduction to field methodologies and the effects of scholarship on the discipline. The course covers scholarship as it chronologically develops from Winkelmann to Panofsky.
MUSI 216 – History of Music I
3 credit hours
An introduction to Western music literature from early music to the present.
Prerequisite: Completion of MUSI 123 or instructor permission
THEA 110 – Improvisation & Movement
3 credit hours
Students will explore basic performing techniques as they relate to theatrical productions, and a variety of postgraduate and/or occupational scenarios. Short-form improvisation techniques will be the primary focus of the course.
THEA 216 – History of Theatre
3 credit hours
This course gives an overview of theatre history and aesthetic styles, explores the methods of theatre artists, and provides a literary perspective from ancient ceremonies to modern day.
Same as ENGL 216 Literary Genres: Drama
Select 12 credits from the following
ART 116 – Painting I
3 credit hours
Introduction to basic painting techniques and styles of painting, including abstract, impressionism, surrealism, and others. Students will work with various types of brushes, masking techniques, under-painting, paints, and surfaces.
ART 117 – Pen and Ink Drawing
3 credit hours
Emphasis on pen and ink techniques including but not limited to calligraphy, stippling, contour, parallel and crosshatching on various papers and boards. A varied subject matter will provide students the opportunity to learn shading and dimensional effects.
ART 211 – Digital Photography
3 credit hours
This beginning photography course will introduce students to the basic technical concepts and photographic composition principles. The course will also cover photo editing software and standard optimization and compositing techniques. Visual storytelling through photojournalism and writing compelling cut lines will also be taught.
Same as COMM 211
ART 217 – Painting II
3 credit hours
Various techniques and styles of painting are explored. Watercolor, oil, and acrylic paint are practiced in the creation of works of art. Subject matter includes but is not limited to portraiture, landscape, still life, abstract design
Prerequisite: ART 116
ART 235 – Graphic Art
3 credit hours
Lecture and lab will develop a solid base in technical and creative skills utilizing the latest personal computer tools. Emphasis on design of logos, typography and type as a design element, packaging materials, continuous page layout, and grid design. Emphasis on the design process of digitally produced materials, developed in stages from roughs and overlays to presentations of illustrations, advertisements, and brochures. Will use Adobe image manipulation software, vector-based illustration software, and specialized computer graphic tools to integrate images and type in producing posters, signage, direct mail advertisements, and advertising.
Prerequisite: LDRS 105, ART 134
ART 331 – Ceramics I
3 credit hours
Fundamentals of pottery including terminology, hand-building processes, and wheel methods with projects in pinch, coil, slab, sculpture, and wheel work.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
EDUC 240 – Elementary Fine Art Methods
2 credit hours
This course emphasizes the use of the fine arts in the regular elementary classroom. Students will explore ways to integrate fine arts (visual arts and music) into the elementary curriculum and how to use the arts to help students better comprehend core subjects defined by the Iowa Core.
MUAP 105 – Piano/Keyboard
1 credit hour
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 106 – Brass
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 107 – Guitar/Bass
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 108 – Percussion
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
Voice
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 110 – Woodwind
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 111 – String
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 130 – WPU Jazz Ensemble
1 credit hour
A contemporary music ensemble focusing on twentieth-century musical forms such as jazz, rock and world music.
Prerequisite: The equivalent of three years of high school ensemble playing or permission of instructor
MUAP 131 – Marching/Pep Band
1 credit hour
Rehearsal and performance of typical pep band music, with required participation at home football games, including set up and tear down. The first rehearsal of this group will be held during the first week of classes, for an extended period. Prior to each home game, pep music will be played through at the regularly scheduled jazz ensemble rehearsal. Other performance opportunities will be taken under consideration by the director. Open to all qualified students at William Penn University and all qualified members of the local community.
MUAP 140 – Music in the Electronic Medium
1 credit hour
A course in electro-acoustic music, focusing on creating, sequencing and recording original electronic music. Students will learn the basics of MIDI technology, recording, sequencing and editing software and apply them to their own original works. Each student will have a workstation with a computer and multi-timbral synthesizer for hands-on application in the music department MIDI Lab. Some piano/keyboard and/or computer/electronics experience is helpful but not required. May be taken 3 times to fulfill core Humanities requirement.
MUAP 250 – William Penn Singers
1 credit hour
Choral music from a wide variety of style periods from madrigals to sacred to vocal jazz/rock will be studied. Singers of all interests and levels are welcome to participate. It is assumed that students are enrolled in the ensemble for the full academic year. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring. Lab fee required.
MUAP 251 – Concert Band
1 credit hour
Symphonic concert band open to all William Penn University students, community members, and area high school students. Performance of traditional and modern concert band literature. One major concert each semester plus graduation ceremony. May be repeated 8 times.
MUSI 123 – Music Theory I
3 credit hours
The first of a two-course sequence focusing on fundamentals of notation, keys, diatonic chords, cadences and beginning formal analysis. Students not having sufficient keyboard ability should also study piano.
MUSI 124 – Music Theory II
3 credit hours
Continuation of MUSI 123. Seventh chords in root position and their inversions, non-chord tones, modulations, and work in improvisation and composition. MUSI 124 must follow MUSI 123 in sequence except with instructor’s permission.
Prerequisite: MUSI 123
MUSI 217 – History of Music II
3 credit hours
Music in American from the time of the Puritans to the present day. Historical, biographical material and listening will be included. For the general students as well as for music majors and minors.
MUSI 339 – Ear Training & Sight Singing I
2 credit hours
A skills course designed to improve the student’s aural acuity and sight-reading ability.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or completion of MUSI 123
MUSI 340 – Ear Training & Sight Singing II
2 credit hours
This course is a continuation of the class Ear and Training and Sight Singing I. The content is designed to complement the Theory II course though it is not necessary they be taken in the same semester
Prerequisite: MUSI 339
THEA 104 – Basic Production
3 credit hours
Designed to familiarize a student with all production aspects of a working theatre. Along with class and workshop time, students will make practical application of theories and practices through work on university, community, and possibly, professional performances.
THEA 106 – Acting I
3 credit hours
Students will explore basic acting techniques as they relate to theatre productions, and a variety of postgraduate and/or occupational scenarios. Techniques covered include character analysis, script analysis, voice projection, movement, collaboration, communication, memorization, and creativity.
THEA 114 – Theatre Production
1 credit hour
This course will allow students to utilize their theatrical skills and knowledge on actual university productions. Students must participate in the production(s) being done in the semester the course is offered.
THEA 119 – Specialized Production Elements
3 credit hours
This course explores basic principles, designs, and implementation related to special technical areas of theatrical productions. These areas include special effects, makeup, and costuming. Students must make practical application of course content through participation in the university production(s) being done in the semester the course is offered.
THEA 124 – Stage Lighting and Sound
3 credit hours
An introductory course providing students with a basic understanding of the principles, practices, and execution of stage lighting and sound and their applications in the theatre. The lighting portion of the course focuses on the fundamentals of stage lighting such as: functions of lighting, qualities of light, design, basic electricity, lighting instruments and equipment, light plot basics, board operation, and safety. The sound portion of the course provides the students with a working knowledge of sound design and engineering focusing on the functions of sound, equipment (including set up and maintenance), design, sound operation, sound plot basics, recording and reproduction.
THEA 304 – Directing and Advanced Production
3 credit hours
This is a workshop course that will explore the directing and production of an entire one act play by coordinating and executing all aspects of the production.
Prerequisites: THEA 104, THEA 106, and THEA 306
THEA 306 – Acting II
Prerequisite: THEA 106
Students will explore advanced acting techniques building on concepts covered in Acting I. Techniques include Stanislavski’s Method, Strasberg’s Method, and other performing approaches to reinforce acting as a disciplined art.
Prerequisite: THEA 106
THEA 307 – Shakespeare
3 credit hours
This course will be an in-depth examination of Shakespeare’s plays and poetry. Opportunities include attending or participating in at least one Shakespeare performance or event.
Same as ENGL 307
Prerequisite: ENGL 220 or consent of instructor
THEA 104 – Basic Production
3 credit hours
Designed to familiarize a student with all production aspects of a working theatre. Along with class and workshop time, students will make practical application of theories and practices through work on university, community, and possibly, professional performances.
THEA 106 – Acting I
3 credit hours
Students will explore basic acting techniques as they relate to theatre productions, and a variety of postgraduate and/or occupational scenarios. Techniques covered include character analysis, script analysis, voice projection, movement, collaboration, communication, memorization, and creativity.
THEA 110 – Improvisation & Movement
3 credit hours
Students will explore basic performing techniques as they relate to theatrical productions, and a variety of postgraduate and/or occupational scenarios. Short-form improvisation techniques will be the primary focus of the course.
THEA 124 – Stage Lighting and Sound
3 credit hours
An introductory course providing students with a basic understanding of the principles, practices, and execution of stage lighting and sound and their applications in the theatre. The lighting portion of the course focuses on the fundamentals of stage lighting such as: functions of lighting, qualities of light, design, basic electricity, lighting instruments and equipment, light plot basics, board operation, and safety. The sound portion of the course provides the students with a working knowledge of sound design and engineering focusing on the functions of sound, equipment (including set up and maintenance), design, sound operation, sound plot basics, recording and reproduction.
THEA 130 – Scenic Design and Construction
3 credit hours
This course is designed to familiarize students with all production aspects of designing, building, and painting a set. Along with class and workshop time, students will make practical application of theories and practices through work on university, community, and professional performances.
THEA 216 – History of Theatre
3 credit hours
This course gives an overview of theatre history and aesthetic styles, explores the methods of theatre artists, and provides a literary perspective from ancient ceremonies to modern day.
Same as ENGL 216 Literary Genres: Drama
THEA 304 – Directing and Advanced Production
3 credit hours
This is a workshop course that will explore the directing and production of an entire one act play by coordinating and executing all aspects of the production.
Prerequisites: THEA 104, THEA 106, and THEA 306
Select 9 credits from the following
BUSI 130 Contemporary Business
3 credit hours
Overview of the foundations of business including, but not limited to, business ethics, terms of ownership, management, organization, production, human resources, finance, and marketing. The case-study method of analysis also will be introduced. Offered every spring.
BUSI 201 – Principles of Accounting I
3 credit hours
Concepts and issues of financial accounting as a system of recording, classifying, summarizing, and interpreting business transactions for preparing financial reports.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
BUSI 230 – Principles of Management
3 credit hours
Introduction to the management discipline designed to provide a basic understanding of both theory and practice encompassing the planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling functions.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102; BUSI 130 recommended
COMM 102 – Media Writing
3 credit hours
This course focuses on the basics of narrative, documentary, and informative writing styles for professional media.
COMM 104 – Social Media Marketing
3 credit hours
In the modern professional world, the management of personal identity is an essential element in maintaining a standing in creative media. Students will learn how to use social media tools from their first days in school to not only manage their own image, but also to help sell the work they create.
COMM 225 – Digital Storytelling
This course teaches the process of developing and propagating fiction through channels of digital distribution. It will explore new and old rules for digital storytelling and distribution. Starting with appointment blogging, moving to still image documentary, finding a sharing platform with short stories (and wattpad), and finally producing a work of fiction or non-fiction on video that adheres to the principles of storytelling presented in class.
ENGR 101 – Engineering Graphics I
3 credit hours
Introduction to solid modeling with Autodesk Inventor. Students will utilize the software to create parts, fully dimensioned drawings, assemblies, and presentations. Students will produce a complete set of professional quality working drawings. Offered every fall.
ENGR 102 – Engineering Graphics II
3 credit hours
Introduction to 2D drawing using AutoCAD. Will include orthographic projections, dimensioning, tolerancing, sections, auxiliaries, fasteners, and pictorials. Students will produce a complete set of professional quality working drawings.
ENGR 125 – Industrial Manufacturing Processes
3 credit hours
Industrial Manufacturing processing involving hand and machine operations. Planning, measurement, and precision layout.
MUAP 105 – Piano/Keyboard
1 credit hour
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 106 – Brass
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 107 – Guitar/Bass
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 108 – Percussion
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
Voice
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 110 – Woodwind
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 111 – String
Instruction is offered for the beginning and advancing musician in twelve weekly, one-half hour lessons per semester. A private lesson tuition fee is charged. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
MUAP 250 – William Penn Singers
1 credit hour
Choral music from a wide variety of style periods from madrigals to sacred to vocal jazz/rock will be studied. Singers of all interests and levels are welcome to participate. It is assumed that students are enrolled in the ensemble for the full academic year. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring. Lab fee required.
MUSI 123 – Music Theory I
3 credit hours
The first of a two-course sequence focusing on fundamentals of notation, keys, diatonic chords, cadences and beginning formal analysis. Students not having sufficient keyboard ability should also study piano.
THEA 119 – Specialized Production Elements
3 credit hours
This course explores basic principles, designs, and implementation related to special technical areas of theatrical productions. These areas include special effects, makeup, and costuming. Students must make practical application of course content through participation in the university production(s) being done in the semester the course is offered.
THEA 307 – Shakespeare
3 credit hours
This course will be an in-depth examination of Shakespeare’s plays and poetry. Opportunities include attending or participating in at least one Shakespeare performance or event.
Same as ENGL 307
Prerequisite: ENGL 220 or consent of instructor
MUSI 336 – Conducting I
2 credit hours
Instrumental and choral conducting and score reading, use of baton and rehearsal techniques, ranges of instruments, clefs, and transpositions. Offered fall semester of even-numbered years.
Prerequisite: Student must also be concurrently enrolled in the William Penn University Jazz Ensemble (MUAP 130) and/or William Penn Singers (MUAP 250) and must have successfully completed MUSI 123.
THEA 114 – Theatre Production
1 credit hour
This course will allow students to utilize their theatrical skills and knowledge on actual university productions. Students must participate in the production(s) being done in the semester the course is offered.