B.A (Theatre Studies)

This is an introductory and exploratory Theatre Laboratory that looks at the living stage and its accessory back – up facilities. It is aimed at instilling and building confidence. It also considers the evaluation and utilization of space etc. There will be rudimentary practical exercises in stage usage and movement

The course seeks to expose students to the rudiments of play writing. It will focus on the development of themes, plots, episodes and identification of character and character development.

The course provides students the opportunity to acquire dance techniques through participation in exercises in movements based on African contemporary dance forms.

This course will focus on the chronology of church music from early Christian era to contemporary times. Distinguished features of the various styles of music in the church will be examined. A survey of the development of hymns and their music, such forms as Gregorian chants, Psalms, Canticles, Chorales and hymn tunes will feature prominently. In this comprehensive approach other sacred musical types from the Ghanaian experience such as Dagarba Mass, Ebibidwom and choruses will be studied. The liturgy and liturgical calendar that dictate what types of music to be used, when and how as well as liturgical dances and dramatic sketches will also be given enough attention.

This course will consider the ritual origins of drama, and history of the theatre from classical Greece To Rome. Plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes, Seneca, Terence and Plautus will be examined. Other aspects to be examined include the Poetics of Aristotle and definition of drama, Greek Amphi – theatres and stage conventions, the Hellenistic stage and Roman theatre architecture, Drama in England and Europe, and the Renaissance.

The course involves studies in techniques of analysing plays and interpreting them for production or performance, based on prescribed text. Emphasis will be placed on plot structure, stylistic devices, characteristics as they relate to them, character development in terms of dramatic action and its basic conflicts and resolution, intellectual, emotional, moral and aesthetic values. The course will involve exploration through interpretative exercises in stage terms.

The course aims at equipping students with the theoretical tools and principles for analyzing and interpreting films. Students will have the opportunity to apply the basic principles of film criticism in the appreciation of films from all traditions.

The course is designed to help students to understand the structure and form of African music, dance and theatre as well as the role these art forms play in the life of the African.

Students will be assisted to expand their repertoire of dances from Africa.

The course involves an examination of the nature and Form of oral drama in traditional African cultures and the emergence of popular forms in contemporary African society. The first part of the course will be an aesthetic integration into the dynamics of traditional African drama. Ceremonial and narrative, mask theatre, possession dance, and popular theatre – and their roles in religious ceremonial and other social events. The second part will examine and critically analyse the emergence of popular forms of drama in contemporary Africa.

This course discusses the performance practices of some selected Ghanaian traditional and contemporary popular music ensembles. It also takes a look at the various compositional techniques employed by popular music composers as well as examining the factors that shape popular musicians compositions.

The course traces the history of film from the Lumiere brothers to modern avant garde films. Attention will be the evolution of the classical Hollywood cinema, European and Asian film as well as African film.

In this course, students will be assisted to increase their repertoire of African and Western art music. They will acquire skills that will enable them not only to sing in a choir, but also perform advanced choral pieces creditably. Students will be required to participate in class performances and other functions in and outside the University as part of the assessment criteria.

The course delves into the Writer’s world and examines theories and techniques in writing for the stage. There will be elementary exercises in observation, inception of the play, identification of theme, character and the drama situation as well as simple techniques of plot construction. Analysis will be made of both students’ scripts and established work.

This course focuses on techniques of acting for the camera: voice pitch levels, expressiveness, etc. It also looks at the relationship between the camera and the actor: Camera movement, angle and shot types.

The business of film production involves working from script to screen, and visualisation. It will also look at activities in the various stages, pre-production – script conference, production meetings, preparation of shooting script, etc. Production, and post production work, including editing and exhibition.

The course examines feminist film practice. It involves a critical examination of the female image in the cinema; the stereotype, the non-conformist, the neutral. It also delves into the commercialisation of the female body.

The course is a general study of the principles of management and their application to the performing arts particularly in community and educational establishments; budgeting and production preparation; planning and organization of performances. It also looks at problems of box office and house management; advertisement, publicity and public relation; organizing limited tours, problems of staffing and personnel.

Students will continue to increase their repertoire with songs from composers of African descent. They will acquire the technique requisite for rendering pieces of African-American heritage.

The course is a study of the principles and elements of design as applied in the theatre and film. It is aimed at equipping the students with the necessary tools of design through laboratory exercises and projects.

Stage Design
This aspect of the course surveys the history and an investigation into principles of scene design and scale models will be conducted.

Set Design
This aspect of the course involves the principles of set design and set design for studio and location.

This course involves an examination of the tools and materials for the make – up artist in the theatre, basic make – up techniques; make-up for the stage, film and video productions; range of ages from youth, middle age, moderate old age, extreme old age; applying the bald cap; wigs, beard, special effects.