Drama & Theater Arts

Theater and Dramatic Arts Program

The Theatre Arts program, part of the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, offers transferable courses which provide GE credit, and meet the General Education Breadth Requirement Area C1 and E1, and IGETC Area 3A. With the exception of four workshop classes, all courses are transferable as lower division requirements for either Drama/Theatre Arts majors with an Acting, Directing, or Design emphasis or Film Studies majors.

 Mission

The mission of the Theatre Arts program at San Jose City College is to provide students of all ages and backgrounds with equal opportunities to find and to share their voices through artistic expression.   The Program offers lower-division transfer courses for general education credit and required courses for Theatre Arts and Film majors. Working individually and cooperatively in groups of diverse peers, students develop oral and non-verbal communication skills which prepare them for participation in a global society. Students participate in exercises and projects which help them gain the poise, adaptability, and self-confidence needed for careers which require interaction with the public.   Written and oral analysis of films, plays, and literature develop the students' critical thinking skills.

The Theatre Arts Program Mission echoes the College Mission's focus on open and equitable access for a diverse student population, preparation for participation in a global society, and lower-division classes for general education credit and transfer.

Program Goals

• To prepare the student for careers as performers and technicians in live theatre, careers that require live or recorded speaking or presentations such as business, sales, teaching, law, and other careers requiring confident interaction with the public.
• To foster the students’ ability to work in teams.
• To enhance the students' ability to think critically.
• To develop the students skills in communication including reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
• To build the students' self-esteem, confidence in public, and appreciation of the arts.
• To increase the students' visual literacy.