Transfer Process: First Semester Classes

As many of you know, I am transferring from the University of Oregon to Chapman University this fall. I am beyond excited and after a year of eagerly awaiting the day I can transfer things finally feel set. Yesterday, I was able to register for my classes for the upcoming semester. I'm a theatre major and will hopefully also be a Public Relations/Advertisement (PR/Ad) major (application pending) so my classes are theatre heavy right now but I am so so excited. To finally know what I'm going to be doing is so thrilling. So without further ado here are my classes! Let me know in the comments what your major is or was or if you aren't in college what you would want it to be!

FTV 140: Introduction to Film Aesthetics + Lab
This is a class that I'm taking with my high hopes that my PR/Ad major application will be accepted. This is a major housed in the Dodge College of Film and Media arts which is one of the most highly regarded film and media schools in the country, so naturally there is competition. Most classes at Dodge are for majors only, but thankfully I am able to kickstart my love for the PR/Ad major with this introductory class that is open to everyone. The description of the class notes that "class discussions focus on analyzing the ways in which cinematography, mise en scene, editing, sound, and other aspects of film combine to make it a unique and meaningful form of art, entertainment, and instruction" (my.chapman.com) ((That MLA format coming in handy!)). The lab is a full two hours and forty five minutes so I'm intrigued as to what we will be doing in that. I am so excited not only to explore this major but also because I love movies and anything ~aesthetic~.

MATH 203: Introduction to Statistics
Unfortunately, I trekked through College Algebra at the University of Oregon for naught. Not totally for naught because I did learn a lot and it helped for my acceptance at Chapman, but my credits for that class didn't transfer over for my general education math requirement at Chapman. So here I am taking stats! It's an online class that studies "the design of experiments, descriptive statistics, analysis of data, parametric and non-parametric statistics, correlation and regression, probability, sampling, and tests of significance." I don't really know what any of that means because I am not a math person, but if you are please let me know in the comments. Will need all the help I can get for this class!

TH 100: Introduction to Theatre Technology
Besides my senior project where I produced a main stage musical, I have always been on the performance side of theatre. The one time I did get to gain a different perspective on theatre, I was captured by how fun it was! I have, of course, always been around tech theatre, but never been able to learn about it myself because my rehearsal schedules were so busy and I longed to be on stage, not backstage. Thankfully, I am now a theatre major and I get to do it all! I emphasized my want to learn about all aspects of theatre during my audition and interview for the program and I am so excited I get to embark on this now. The description says that this course "will introduce the student to production elements ranging from scenery, lighting, audio, projections, costumes, props, and emerging technologies."

TH 105: Theatre Practicum
This class is 0.5 of a credit (it's so weird going from quarter system to semester system where most classes were 4-5 credits and now most are 3 credits...or in this case a half a credit!) and I have to be enrolled in it for four semesters to fulfill this theatre major requirement. Theatre Practicum is basically working on a show. There is no scheduled time for the class, it is a free for all from what I gather that gives students the opportunity to work on the shows Chapman puts on. The description says "this course gives students practical experience in the technical areas of the production program. Students will be given a production assignment and will perform specific activities related to that technical area." Can't wait to see what I will be given! Of course, I will keep you all updated.

TH 111: Introduction to Performing Techniques
Thank goodness I have one class that I have general knowledge of the material. This class is for theatre majors only so I will be fully immersed into the program. The website says, "this course is a study of the fundamentals of stage movement and vocal production." It continues to say that we will look at fundamental acting techniques such as the Alexander, Linklater, and Strasberg techniques. Despite being "fluent" in performing, these classes always put me out of my comfort zone with their specific techniques, improv (which gives me so much anxiety), and the new ideas behind acting. I love it all and I can't wait to study the techniques of performing.

TH 170: Creating Theatre: From Page to Stage - The Art of Collaboration
I love that aspect of collaboration in theatre which is also something I talked about a lot at my audition. I think it's amazing that so many people are given different tasks, from actors playing different roles to techies working on different parts of the entire stage, yet we all come together to form one beautiful piece of art. The description states "the emphasis is on the introduction of information that will enable students to appreciate the process of creating and maintaining viable theatre, and to effectively communicate as dedicated and disciplined theatre practitioners." This might be the class I know least about, so I'm glad to be able to explore something new.

There we have it! Sorry for a wee bit of a longer wall of text than usual, but this is a topic that I am so genuinely excited for! Remember to let me know below what you college major is or was or what you would want it to be. Thanks for reading! News of Italy travels comes on Friday and Transfer Tips: The During will come this fall!