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STATEMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM
MISSION STATEMENT:
The doctoral program in the Department of Theatre and Film at Bowling Green State University is especially designed for those
students planning careers as faculty members in higher education with a degree emphasis in the theories (both historical and
contemporary), histories, and cultural applications of theatre and performance (both aesthetic and cultural) in various contexts.
It is this aspect of the program that prepares students to contribute meaningfully to theatre and performance scholarship
and to be effective teachers within those disciplines. Practically, the course of study aims to prepare graduates to conduct
original research in a way that will contribute to the level of scholarship in the student’s area of specialization, to teach,
and to participate in theatre production in educational settings in a range of capacities. Accordingly, students are evaluated
in three areas: scholarship, teaching ability, and artistry. Thus, it is assumed that upon graduation the holder of a Ph.D.
will possess a thorough understanding of philosophy and history, particularly the theory and history of theatre and performance.
While the mission of the department is to prepare graduates who approach the theory and practice of theatre and performance
in an integrated manner, it should be understood that the primary emphasis of any doctoral program in the arts focuses on
historical, theoretical and pedagogical approaches to the subject matter rather than solely or even predominantly on artistic
practice. It should also be noted that in addition to coordinating film studies at the undergraduate level, the department
of Department of Theatre and Film at Bowling Green State University also contributes in meaningful ways to the graduate level
film studies program that is coordinated through the American Culture Studies program. Additionally, the department supports
student exchange/study abroad opportunities with the Department of Theatre at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
The doctoral faculty in the Department of Theatre and Film are accomplished researchers and artists. Many serve or have served
as leaders in numerous regional, national and international scholarly organizations, including the editorial boards of a number
of refereed scholarly journals. Moreover, at present individual members of the faculty serve as senior editor for Theatre
Annual and co-editor for Theatre Topics. In addition, members of our faculty have published or are contracted to publish book
length studies with Routledge, Cambridge University Press, University of Mississippi Press, Southern Illinois University Press,
Alta Mira Press, and Wayne State University Press. Essay length studies authored by our faculty have appeared in numerous
prestigious journals including The Drama Review, Text and Performance Quarterly, Theatre Forum, Theatre Topics, New Theatre,
Theatre Annual, Journal of American Drama and Theatre, Theatre History Studies, Stage of the Art, Youth Theatre Journal, Qualitative
Inquiry, Women’s Studies Quarterly, Popular Culture Review, and Spectator. In terms of artistry, the doctoral faculty has
and continues to be involved practically in theatre in both university and professional contexts, participating as performers,
directors, and dramaturgs.
ADMISSION AND FUNDING STANDARDS:
The Department of Theatre and Film accepts two to four new students into the Ph.D. program annually. We seek to accept students
who are capable of contributing to the scholarly conversations in the field and, at the same time, excel as theatre educators
and artists. Successful applicants will have already earned the M.A. degree in theatre or a related or cognate field (e.g.,
English, Communications, Performance Studies, History), and demonstrate their skills as readers and writers through the application
materials they submit. Generally, the graduate faculty in the Department of Theatre and Film does not accept students into
the program without funding. To that end, applicants are categorized as “Priority One” when they have satisfied the following
criteria: (1) a verbal GRE score of 600 or above, and a combined average of no less than 800 points in the other two areas;
(2) have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater, a GPA of 3.5 in their undergraduate major, an overall GPA of 3.5
or above in M.A. level coursework, and a GPA of 3.75 or above in their major area of M.A. level study; (3) include in their
application portfolio a writing sample that all members of the admissions committee feel represents appropriate verbal and
analytical skill for an entering doctoral student; and (4) include in their application portfolio letters of recommendation
that indicate promise and success in a doctoral program in theatre. Ph.D. applicants who meet three of the four criteria as
stated above are categorized as “Priority Two.” Applicants are categorized as “Priority Three” when they have satisfied the
following criteria: (1) the verbal GRE score is between 500 and 590; (2) overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or greater, a GPA
of 3.25 in their undergraduate major, an overall GPA of 3.0 or above in M.A. level coursework, and a GPA of 3.5 or above in
their major area of M.A. level study. Ph.D. applicants who do not meet the criteria listed above will be considered only for
conditional admission. Funding will be considered only in exceptional cases for entering graduate students with verbal GRE
scores below 475, and overall GPA of 2.5-2.75, and a GPA of less than 3.0 in the major area. Exceptions must be argued on
an individual basis by the department chair and/or graduate studies coordinator, and may take into account such issues as
firsthand knowledge of the student’s learning potential, as well as his or her ability to carry out assistantship duties competently
and responsibly; this may be a significant factor is deciding on the funding status of students who have previously enrolled
in coursework at Bowling Green State University. Students who are enrolled in or have completed the M.A. program in theatre
at Bowling Green State University will not automatically be granted funding for doctoral study, but will be ranked and assessed
on a merit basis in accordance with the standards stated above. In accordance with the recommendation of the Graduate College,
funding will be denied to any student with GRE scores that fall in the lower 25th percentile in any of the required subject
areas. Roughly, 50% percent of our offers of admission and funding are accepted, even though we often compete for students
against larger and wealthier institutions. Our admissions objective in the years ahead is to maintain this selectivity and
smallness of scale, in order to provide all of our students the observance requisite to ensure their development as scholars,
teachers, and artists of the theatre.
PLACEMENT OBJECTIVES FOR GRADUATES:
In an extraordinarily competitive job market, the Ph.D. graduates from the Department of Theatre and Film at Bowling Green
State University do exceedingly well. Close to 95% of our graduates have found employment, most within higher education, and
many at institutions located in the state and region. Generally, our students find employment in institutions that approach
theatre studies in the liberal arts tradition (i.e., both B.A. and M.A. programs), as opposed to pre-professional training
programs (i.e., B.F.A. and M.F.A. programs). Recent graduates have found full-time appointments at the following: College
of William and Mary, Idaho State University, University of North Dakota, Ashland University, Central Michigan University,
Western Michigan University, Owen’s Community College, John Carroll University, Hillsdale College, Goshen College, Central
Missouri State University, Truman State University, Northwestern College, California University of Pennsylvania, Seattle Pacific
University, University of Otago in New Zealand, Lonmorris College, Charleston Southern University, and Cerro Coso Community
College. In years to come, the doctoral faculty hopes to enhance placement assistance for doctoral program graduates through
improved contacts with potential employers and continued development of our program of study in light of advances in the discipline
and the demands of the market.
PROGRAM REVIEW:
Date of last review: University Program Review in 1998-1999; National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) accreditation
revalidated in 2001-2002.
Date of next scheduled review: University Program Review in 2005-2006; NAST accreditation revalidation in 2011-2012.
PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATE WORK:
The M.A.T. program is a portfolio degree program. Admission to the program is limited to students who have already completed
and undergraduate degree and have teach certification in some area of elementary or secondary education. The degree focuses
on the practical and pedagogical aspects of theatre within the classroom setting and is designed for elementary and secondary
teachers who desire graduate work in theatre. The Doctor of Philosophy is a terminal degree for those students planning
careers as faculty members in higher education. The course of study aims to prepare graduates to teach, to conduct original
research in a way that will contribute to the level of scholarship in the student's area of specialization, and to participate
in theatre production in educational settings in a range of capacities. The mission of the program is to prepare graduates
who approach the theory and practice of theatre in an integrated manner by focusing on the historical, critical and pedagogical
aspects of performance scholarship. Recent dissertations have been completed in the areas of theatre history, musical theatre,
performance studies, dramatic criticism and theory, and theatre pedagogy.
FEATURES:
The graduate faculty in the Department of Theatre and Film is committed to the education of teacher/artist/scholar. Artistry
without understanding and understanding without artistry are each incomplete. Academic studies, research and production experiences
are designed to meet the individual needs and interests of the students. The goal of the program is to enhance the knowledge,
research and writing skills, and artistic ability of students to enable them to function as scholars, teachers, and artists.
Special Programs:
- Treehouse Troupe: Each spring the award-winning Treehouse Troupe tours children's plays to grade schools throughout northwest Ohio. Members
of the troupe perform and conduct classroom workshops in participating schools.
- Huron Playhouse: Each summer the theatre department sponsors its own off-campus summer stock theatre. Five productions, including two musicals,
are presented at the Playhouse located in Huron, Ohio. For the past 49 years, a carefully selected company of undergraduate
and graduate performers have been recruited from all over the nation to participate in this intensive and extensive learning
experience. Students in the M.A. program are encouraged to spend a summer at the Playhouse. The Playhouse also provides numerous
employment opportunities for advanced graduate students to direct, design, or work in theatre management.
- Forensics Team: The department sponsors an intercollegiate Forensics Team in which speaking and performance skills can be polished through
either public address or performance studies/interpretation events. Graduate students are assigned to help coach the team.
Contact Information:
Ronald E. Shields, Chair
Jonathan Chambers, Graduate Coordinator
Room: 338 South Hall
Phone: 419-372-9618
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