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M.A. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The M.A. Program in Theatre at Bowling Green State University is designed to provide students with those fundamentals essential
for the development of independent thought and expression, ingredients necessary for truly creative scholarship and artistry
in the theater. In the program, students are afforded a basic understanding of theatre history, theory, criticism, and research
methods and their application to teaching and practical work in theatre. Two semesters and a summer of course work are normally
required for the completion of the Portfolio Track. Students completing the Thesis Track typically complete required course
work in one year, and in the summer and second year that follow, write the M.A. thesis and take additional courses.
STANDARDS
The Graduate Faculty in the Department of Theatre and Film determines termination of a master’s degree program on recommendation
of the advisor and after conference with the student. Termination will result from the student’s failure to maintain “satisfactory
progress toward the degree.” For a more thorough description of academic standards, see the Graduate Catalog.
ADVISING PROCEDURES
In order to help the student develop independence of thought and expression, s/he develops the degree program and pursues
the degree in a close relationship with an appropriate advisor. Upon matriculation, the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Lesa Lockford,
serves as the academic advisor for all students in the M.A. program. Thus, course registration for the first semester is
accomplished in conference with Dr. Lockford. As the student prepares for the second term of study, s/he will begin to work
with one of the following program advisors: Dr. Lockford if in the M.A. Thesis Track, or Professor Margaret McCubbin if in
the M.A. Portfolio Track. The program advisor will assist the student with his/her course of study and, in the case of the
M.A. Portfolio Track, will serve as his/her committee chair in connection with his/her portfolio.
If a student is enrolled in the M.A. Thesis Track, s/he must choose a permanent advisor by the end of the second term of study.
All members of the graduate faculty (both provisional and regular) are eligible to supervise theses.
Although M.A. Thesis Track students are not encouraged to change advisors, they should do so when change is warranted. Such
a change would be considered appropriate if a student decides to change his/her area of primary scholarly interest or direction.
Usually such changes are mutually agreed upon by the student and the advisor. Students wishing to change advisors should
submit a written request to the Graduate Coordinator and are subject to the Coordinator’s and Chair’s approval (Appendix C).
Before taking this step, the student must communicate directly with the current and prospective advisors, and the chosen advisor
must indicate willingness to serve.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
A. Duties:
M.A. students who are funded through the department are generally awarded half-time contracts, which carry a 20-hour per week
service obligation. Assistantship assignments are made by Dr. Shields, the Chair of the Department of Theatre and Film.
When possible, students’ preferences are taken into consideration in making assignments, though departmental needs must take
priority in assistantship assignments.
B. Renewals of Assistantships:
1. Master’s level assistantships are awarded for one academic year. Renewals of assistantships are not automatic. Students
electing to pursue the Thesis Track program may apply for two additional semesters of funding (i.e., second year funding).
See the “Thesis Track and Second Year Funding” section for more information. Under normal circumstances, second year funding
is not provided for students enrolled in Plan II (i.e., Portfolio Track).
2. Applications for second year funding will be evaluated by a departmental faculty committee on the basis of the following
criteria:
a. Has the student made satisfactory progress toward the degree?
b. Has the student’s assistantship service been satisfactory?
c. Are sufficient funds available?
d. Do departmental needs warrant the assignment of the assistantship?
e. Has the student demonstrated the potential for success in thesis writing?
C. Removal of Assistantship:
An assistantship may be taken from a student for any one of the following reasons:
1. Failure to make satisfactory progress toward degree.
2. Inadequate performance of the duties associated with the assistantship.
a. If teaching a course this includes (but is not limited to), failure to follow and execute in good faith course syllabus,
guidelines and objectives as determined by the departmental course coordinator; failure to attend regularly scheduled course
planning sessions (usually weekly) as determined by the departmental course coordinator; and failure to complete departmental
and university course evaluations.
b. If in a non-teaching assignment this includes (but is not limited to), failure to complete duties and satisfy hour requirements
as determined by supervising personnel.
3. Failure to maintain minimum registration (at least 12 semester hours of graduate credit per semester).
4. Academic suspension for ethical or legal misconduct as specified in student code.
SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME
A. Supplemental Employment:
Because academic success is the primary goal of graduate study, graduate students are discouraged from working more than 20
hours per week, including the assistantship assignment, when classes are in session. Graduate assistants should confer with
the Graduate Coordinator and the Chair of the Department before accepting additional employment, whether on or off campus.
Federal regulations strictly prohibit international students from working more than 20 hours per week. Before a graduate
assistant contacts with an on-campus unit for additional employment, a Graduate Assistant Supplemental Payment form must be
submitted to the Graduate College. The signature on the form indicates that the Graduate Coordinator and Chair have been
informed of the student’s intent to take on supplemental work.
B. Financial Aid:
Any questions you may have concerning your eligibility and maximum allowances for financial aid should be directed to the
Financial Aid office. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor how federal regulations concerning financial aid will
have an impact on his or her continuance in graduate education.
M.A. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
A. M.A. Course Requirements:
1. Required Courses (Unless the requirement is officially waived):
THFM 6590: Research Methods in Theatre (3)
THFM 6600: Theatre & Performance in Cultural Contexts I (4)
THFM 6610: Theatre & Performance in Cultural Contexts II (4)
THFM 6650: Period, Style and Form (3)
THFM 6950: Workshop on Current Topics in Theatre (Graduate Seminar) (1 per term) *
THFM 6970: Practicum in Theatre Pedagogy (1 per term) **
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*Not included on T.D.P. Required of all students enrolled full time.
**Not included on T.D.P. Required only of students on assistantship.
2. Students electing Plan I (Thesis Track) must also take:
THFM 6680: Performance Studies (3)
THFM 6990: Thesis Research (6)*
Twelve hours of approved electives from graduate level (i.e., 5000+ level) courses offered in the Department of Theatre and
Film. (NB: Upon prior approval by the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Theatre and Film, students may take courses
from other departments in fulfillment of the electives requirement.)
*Only three hours included on T.D.P.
3. Students electing Plan II must also take:
THFM 6910: Directed Research in Portfolio Development (3)
Nine hours of 5000 or 6000 level courses from the design/technical theatre area (i.e., costume, lighting, or scene design)
offered in the Dept. of Theatre and Film.
Six hours of approved electives from graduate level (i.e., 5000+ level) courses offered in the Department of Theatre
and Film.
M.A. Specific Degree Requirements
1. Thesis (Plan I) or Portfolio (Plan II): The two plans under which one may pursue the M.A. are designed to meet individual needs of students who aspire to varying
types of professional careers. Plan I (Thesis) and Plan II (Portfolio) represent qualitatively different educational experiences.
All students accepted into the M.A. program are placed in the Portfolio Track.
2. Thesis Track and Second Year Funding:
If a student is interested in pursuing the M.A. Thesis Track, s/he must formally declare the intent to do so by November 15 during the first year of study. The process begins with the student submitting (1) a letter of intent—addressed to the Graduate
Coordinator—setting forth the student’s ideas and goals for thesis research, as well as his/her career plans, (2) a current
resume/C.V. and (3) a timeline that sets out the student’s anticipated schedule for delivery of the thesis and completion
date. If a student does not submit these materials by the deadline, s/he automatically declares his/her intent to pursue
the Portfolio Track. Submitting the aforementioned materials may also constitute the student’s formal application to be considered
for second year funding, dependent upon the student’s projected timeline as articulated in the formal declaration to pursue
the thesis track. Students requesting second year funding will be informed of the decision of the graduate studies committee
by the end of finals week of the fall semester. The committee’s funding decisions will be based on the student’s performance
and demonstrated potential for success in thesis writing, balanced with the following concerns: departmental staffing needs,
availability of funds, the student’s progress toward the degree in accord with expectations and timeliness articulated by
the department, and the student’s satisfactory performance of assistantship duties.
Traditionally, a maximum of two students per class are awarded second year funding. However, it is important to note that
the number of second year M.A.-level assistantship lines available varies from year-to-year. In the end, it is imperative
that all M.A. students understand that while any student may elect the Thesis Track program of study, few if any will be awarded
second year funding.
Declaring one’s intent to pursue the Thesis Track does not guarantee continuance into the Ph.D. program at BGSU. During the second year of study, any student wishing to continue into
the Ph.D. program at BGSU must formally apply (due early in the second term of the second year of study), and his/her application
will be given equal consideration along side others who are seeking admittance into the program. Moreover, successful completion
of the M.A. (i.e., completion of all course work as well as the thesis) is required before a student will be accepted fully
into the Ph.D. program. To that end, any M.A. student accepted provisionally into the Ph.D. program must complete the M.A.
program of study (including the thesis) by summer graduation of the second year of study (see the “Important Dates and Deadlines”
link on the Graduate College Web Page and the Graduate Catalog for specific dates and procedures). Additionally, students electing the Thesis Track program of study are expected to take
a minimum of six regularly scheduled graduate-level courses totaling at least 18 hours in the Department of Theatre and Film
(one of which may be an Independent Readings/Study course) as well as six hours of thesis research (THFM 6990) during the
second year of residency. Moreover, students in this program of study who have been awarded second year funding are expected
and required to enroll in at least two graduate courses, totaling at least six credit hours that have been approved by the
Graduate Coordinator during the summer term between the first and second year of study.
3. Changing from one plan to another:
a. The graduate faculty in the Department of Theatre and Film, as well as the Dean of the Graduate College, strongly discourages
switching from one plan to another after the second full semester of graduate work.
b. Once the thesis proposal is approved for a student under Plan I, a student’s request to switch from Plan I to Plan II must
be recommended by his/her graduate committee and advisor, and approved by the Graduate Coordinator and the Dean of the Graduate
College.
i. This is done only in rare circumstances in which the research project becomes physically or technically impossible to implement.
ii. If a switch from Plan I to Plan II is recommended and ultimately approved, it should be understood that the grade of “I”
(incomplete) for THFM 6990 registrations will remain on the transcript for the thesis work and does not count toward degree
requirements.
iii. Students awarded second year funding to pursue the Thesis Track program of study will not be allowed to switch plans.
Specifics for Plan I: Thesis Track
1. Program Requirements:
a. Minimum of 32 semester credit hours including six hours for thesis, three of which are included on the Tentative Degree
Program (TDP).
b. THFM 6970 credits may not appear on the TDP.
c. GC 6000 may not appear on the TDP.
d. THFM 6950 credits may not appear on the TDP.
e. Students may register for a total of 12 hours of THFM 6880 (Internship in Repertory Theatre) but only six hours may count
on the TDP toward graduation. These will count as approved electives.
f. Only three hours of THFM 6840, 6850 and 6860 may be listed on the TDP to satisfy graduation requirements.
g. It is recommended that students take a minimum of six regularly scheduled graduate level courses totaling at least 18 hours
in the Department of Theatre and Film (one of which may be an Independent Readings/Study course) as well as six hours of thesis
research (THFM 6990) during the second year of residency.
h. Students pursuing this program of study on departmental funding (i.e., second year funding) are expected and required to
enroll in at least two graduate courses, totaling at least six credit hours that have been approved by the Graduate Coordinator
during the summer term between the first and second year of study.
2. Thesis Topic Approval:
a. Near the end of the first year of study, the student should submit his or her proposed advisor and committee (Appendix
B) to the Graduate Coordinator and Departmental Chair for approval. The committee shall consist of a minimum of two persons
in addition to the advisor. All committee members must be on the graduate faculty of the Department of Theatre and Film.
Part-time and temporary faculty members are not eligible to serve on thesis committees. The student is responsible for ascertaining
each faculty member’s willingness to serve on the committee.
b. At the beginning of the first semester of the second year of residency, the student, after consulting with his/her advisor,
should submit for committee review a proposal for a thesis topic. Thesis projects will be approved only when the research
proposal is within the capability of the department and University to support, and executable within the three to six hours
of credit that may be earned.
c. The proposal for the thesis should not only clearly outline the proposed topic of study, but should also demonstrate the
student’s ability to complete the proposed research. In order to satisfy this requirement, the student must demonstrate that
s/he is thoroughly familiar with existing scholarship in the chosen area. Students should anticipate that the advisor may
ask for substantial revision of proposal before allowing the student to distribute the document to the committee as a whole,
and should budget their time accordingly.
d. The thesis proposal should include the following components:
-- Title
-- Relevant background information to introduce and contextualize the proposed area of research
-- Concise statement of the central research questions that the study will address (sometimes described as statement or description
of research problem)
-- Discussion of objectives of the study and justification of its significance
-- Review of extant scholarship in the field (NOTE: A list of titles of other scholarship is not sufficient to satisfy this
requirement. Rather, the student must demonstrate that s/he is familiar with other work in the research area and that s/he
is prepared to enter into scholarly conversation with others who have made contributions in this field.)
-- A discussion of the research methods the student will employ in completing the study
-- Principle sources of data
-- Limitations of the study (NB: Limitations in this context does not mean an “apologia” for the shortcomings of either the
researcher or the proposed study. Rather, it is an opportunity to delineate and justify the boundaries of the study—chronological,
geographical, types of data to be considered, etc.)
-- Tentative organization of the study into chapters (NB: Proposed chapter titles are not sufficient, and should be supplemented
by abstracts or tentative summaries of what will be covered in each section)
e. After securing the advisor’s approval, the student should distribute the thesis proposal to all members of the committee
and schedule a defense. The committee must have the proposal a minimum of two weeks before the defense of the proposal.
f. Following the defense, the proposal may be revised according to suggestions made by the committee. Certification of the
committee’s approval is made to the Graduate Coordinator by signing the Thesis/Dissertation Topic Approval (Appendix F).
Once the form has been signed by all committee members and the Graduate Coordinator, it is forwarded to the Graduate Dean
for final approval.
g. The Graduate College requires the student to have at least a 3.0 G.P.A. when submitting the proposal.
h. The deadline for submitting a thesis topic proposal to the Graduate College is the last day of class the semester before
intended graduation. The Department of Theatre and Film deadlines for departmental approval are: October 1 for spring graduation, February 1 for
summer graduation, and May 1 for fall graduation.
3. Thesis Examination and Approval:
a. The thesis committee is normally the same committee that approved the topic. Any changes in the composition of the committee
or change in the thesis advisor must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator and Department Chair.
b. The draft of the thesis, which is submitted to the committee, should be complete, readable and contain necessary documentation
for bibliographic entries.
c. Copyrights and Permissions: Your use of photographs, images, and extended quoted material (i.e., entire published poems, or lengthy quoted material)
in your thesis require the consent of the authors/creators. It is the student’s responsibility to secure those permissions
in writing prior to defense of the thesis. Consult with the Graduate College for the exact limitations on the use of others’
material.
d. The thesis committee should have the draft at least two weeks in advance of the proposed oral defense date.
e. The Chair of the student’s committee will poll the committee to determine whether the thesis is defensible in content
and form. If necessary, due to need or disagreement, the Chair will convene the committee. If major revisions are in order
prior to oral defense, the Chair and the student will develop a plan of action to meet/committee expectations, including postponement
of the oral defense, if necessary.
f. Approval of the thesis and passing of the oral defense is indicated by the committee’s signatures on the ETD Submission/Approval
Form (Appendix G). It should be noted that the approval form is divided into two sections, “Final Examination Report” and
“Manuscript Approval.” Thus, it is possible, even though the final oral examination has been passed, for the committee to
request substantive changes or additions before approving the manuscript. In planning to meet Graduate College deadlines,
the student should consider this possibility. Only one negative vote is permissible.
g. The Graduate College requires electronic submission of theses and dissertations. For more detailed information, visit:
http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/gradcol/etd/index.html
h. Upon approval of the final the student is to bring two single-sided, error-free final copies of the thesis to the Department
Secretary along with a check for $50.00 made out to the Department of Theatre and Film. This money is to cover the cost of
binding of the student’s dissertation; one copy goes to Department and one goes to the dissertation advisor.
i. Those students planning to graduate in August should be aware that the thesis must be completed and distributed to the
committee by early June in order to be eligible for summer graduation. They should also be aware that many faculty members are not available for consultation during summer term. Thus, students
must make every effort to complete the thesis during the spring term of the second year of study. Failure to do so may mean
the student will have to postpone oral defense of the thesis and his/her graduation until the fall term.
Specifics for Plan II: Portfolio Track
1. Program Requirements:
a. Minimum of 32 semester hours, three of which are THFM 6910: Research in Portfolio Development.
b. THFM 6970 credits may not appear on the Tentative Degree Program.
c. GC 6000 may not appear on the TDP.
d. THFM 6950 credits may not appear on TDP.
e. Students may register for a total of 12 hours of THFM 6888 (Internship in Repertory Theatre) but only six hours may count
on the TDP toward graduation. These will count as approved electives.
f. Only three hours of THFM 6840, 6850 and 6860 can be listed on the TDP to satisfy graduation requirements.
2. Portfolio Process:
a. Students enrolled in Plan II will complete coursework and a portfolio, which is comprised of a mixture of scholarly work
and creative work. All creative work in the portfolio must include documentation and analysis relating the production of
those materials.
b. Early in the second semester of coursework, students begin the process of articulating the contents of their portfolio
with the Portfolio Track advisor, Professor McCubbin.
c. In conference with Professor McCubbin, the student will choose one other faculty member to serve on his/her portfolio
review committee (submit Appendix B by February 15). Thus, the portfolio review committee will consist of two graduate faculty
members. Since the materials that comprise the portfolio are necessarily drawn from diverse areas of theatre practice and
scholarship, students are encouraged to assemble a committee that includes members with expertise to guide and assess the
development of materials in each of these respective areas.
d. Students who wish to graduate in spring will submit the portfolio materials to Professor McCubbin by April 1 in preparation
for a full committee review later that month, while those working toward an August graduation will submit materials by June
1 in preparation for a full committee review in June or early July. Please note that the aforementioned dates are approximations. To that end, it is imperative that students consult the “Important
Dates and Deadlines” link on the Graduate College Web Page and adjust their schedules accordingly.
e. Students who plan to register for THFM 6880, Internship in Repertory Theatre, over the summer session are strongly encouraged
to submit their portfolios for review during the spring semester.
f. Portfolios will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Students whose portfolio materials are deemed unsatisfactory during this
assessment will have the opportunity to revise and resubmit for a second assessment. Students who twice fail the portfolio
review will be subject to termination from the program. Students should also be aware that not all faculty members are available
for consultation and/or oral defense during the summer term. Therefore students planning on a summer defense should choose
the members of their committee accordingly. Approval of the portfolio and passing of the oral defense is indicated by the
committee’s signatures on the Master’s Plan II Report.
3. Contents of the M.A. Portfolio:
a. A resume or CV appropriate to the student’s stated professional goals and objectives and suitable for inclusion as part
of a job application.
b. A four to six page professional profile or statement of purpose, appropriate for submission as part of a job application
or application to an academic program.
c. An example of the student’s critical writing. This must be a SUBSTANTIVELY REVISED and expanded version of a paper originally drafted in a graduate level course taken at BGSU while enrolled in the M.A. program.
The paper should be NO LESS THAN 20 PAGES in length and should cite a range of critical sources, including journal articles, books, or contributions to edited volumes.
Be aware that simply cleaning up the grammar and typos on a class term paper will be highly unlikely to produce work suitable
to satisfy this requirement.
d. Two practical or creative components. Examples of appropriate creative projects may include (but are not limited to):
--An original script or adaptation
--An original translation of a short play or critical article
--A director’s or dramaturg’s notebook with detailed analysis and documentation of research leading to the development of
a production concept
--A design concept for a specific production, supplemented with appropriate models, renderings, or other suitable forms of
notation, along with a detailed analysis of the research process and the reasons behind the creative choices that were made.
--An actor’s journal describing preparation for performance of a substantive role in a professional or university theatre
production, along with analysis of the actor’s process of research and preparation (which should include some sort of detailed
textual analysis or use of appropriate secondary sources).
--An original video production or performance installation
--A community-based project in theatre or oral history
Under no circumstances should students complete two projects in the same area of theatre practice (for example, two costume
design projects or two original scripts). Moreover, all practical or creative work must be generated while enrolled in the
M.A. program at BGSU.
Faculty Accomplishments
The graduate 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. Individual members of the faculty serve or have served as senior editor for Theatre Annual and editor for Theatre Topics .
Members of our faculty have published or are contracted to publish book length studies with:
- University of Michigan Press
- University of Mississippi Press
- Southern Illinois University Press
- Alta Mira Press
- Wayne State University Press
- Scarecrow Press
- University of Alabama Press
Essay length studies authored by our faculty have appeared in numerous prestigious journals including:
- The Drama Review
- Text and Performance Quarterly
- Theatre Topics
- Journal of American Drama and Theatre
- Theatre Annual
- Theatre History Studies
- Qualitative Inquiry
- Women's Studies Quarterly
- Popular Culture Review
- 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 dramaturges.
Placement
Successful M.A. graduates have secured employment at George Washington University, Illinois State University, Michigan State
University, Limestone College, Charleston Southern University, and Fresno Pacific University.
Recent Theses
Some recent theses include:
- Creating an Audience for Community Theatre: A Case Study of Night of the Living Dead at the Roadhouse Theatre
- Awareness of the Acting Body: The Theatre Writings of Michael Checkhov and Tadashi Suzuki
- Come Look at the Freaks: the Complexities of Valorizing the "Freak" in "Side Show"
- From Hidden to (Over-) Exposed: The Grotesque and Performing Bodies of WW II Nazi Concentration Camp Prisoners
- Ritual as the Way to Speak in Dancing at Lughnasa
- Multiculturalism and Alienation in Contemporary Japanese Society As Seen In the Films of Takashi Mike
- A Descriptive Study of the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society
- New Historicist Reading of Marat/Sade
- If You Haven't Made Somebody Angry, you Haven't Done Something Right: Larry Kramer's Outsider Persona
- An Exploration of Sandglass Theater
- The Bauhaus and the Bauhaus Theatre Workshop: Theories Generated by Oskar Schlemmer and Laszlo Moholy Nagy and Their Influence
on Present Day Theatre
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