Department of Theatre and Film Studies

History of the Department

 

Theatre Arts programme was introduced during the 1993/1994 academic session following a proposal by Mr. Dan Nwedo Uwandu; a senior lecturer, to enliven the social life of then one-year old University and to inculcate in the prospective students, the knowledge and practice of the communication of drama and theatre.The proposal was approved by the university curriculum committee in what used to be faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with Mr. D.N Uwandu as the first Coordinator of Theatre Arts Unit in what used to be Department of Arts which housed ten Degree programmes of the present faculty of Arts.  Theatre Arts programme of the University which produced its first graduates in 1997/98 has further graduated her students in 1998/1999,1999/2000,2000/2001,2001/2002/,2002/2003,2003/2004, 2004/2005, 2005/2006 and 2006/2007, respectively.

 

Vision Statement

Theatre Arts Programme, Nnamdi Azikiwe University was founded on the philosophy that knowledge and practice of the communicative arts of Drama, Theatre, Performance and Media Production should be disseminated and applied to solve human problems and facilitate sustainable development in the community and society at large.In addition to laying a strong foundation for an enduring Arts and Cultural Promotion in the nation, the Theatre Arts Programme seeks to inculcate in prospective students, the creative imagination needed to formulate ideas and artistically translates such ideas into practicable solutions for the contemporary needs of humanity.

 

 

 

Mision Statement

In line with the vision of the founding fathers of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the Theatre Arts Programme guides the student to imbibe the tenets of discipline required for artistic training, so as to graduate into the society as self-reliant creative artists committed to the ideals of excellence required for nation building. The cardinal mission of the Department is to produce graduates that are intellectually and professionally quipped to meet the dynamic challenges of the 21st Century — World both in their industry and in other sectors of the society.

 

Objectives

The objective of the undergraduate programme is to fashion a curriculum’ in Theatre Arts that combines a solid academic foundation in theories, with a knowledge and practice of the communicative arts of drama and the theatre, Such a foundation when laid, will enhance graduate research, so that a graduate of theatre arts can proceed to further studies at the post- graduate level , for eventual preparation for the school of general life, as a creative teacher or as an expert in the communications and entertainment industry.

 

Admission Requirements

Prospective degree candidates must satisfy both the general University minimum entry requirements, and specific Faculty and Departmental requirements.

General University Minimum Entry Requirements provide two alternate methods of admission into the university as follows:

  1. a) Possession of Five SSC Level Credits or its equivalent taken at not more then two sittings and not more than five years apart. These credits must include English Language and Literature (or Literature- in- English).
  2. b) By transfer from other recognized Universities and post- secondary institutions (in exceptional cases).

 

The Faculty specifically requires that:

  1. All candidates pass the UME and the Post UME and reach the appropriate cut- off points for the year of admission.

All applications for admission be routed through

J.A.M.B.

iii.        All candidates must obtain credit level passes in SSC English Language and offer same in the U.M.E.

 

The Theatre Arts Department specifically requires that

  1. a) 4-year B.A programme candidates must have passed in English Language and English Literature (or Literature

-in-English), in addition to any three of CRS, History, Any Nigerian Language, Fine Arts, Music, Government, and Economics at least at credit level in the SSC or an approved equivalent examination. Passes in Physics, Maths, and Chemistry of General Science will be an advantage.

  1. b) 3- year B.A programme candidates must possess either a Diploma and / or certificates in Theatre Arts or Dramatic Arts from a recognized post-secondary institution, with at least 60% average point or must have passed English in at least Merit level in the N.C.E., or an equivalent examination.

 

Passes in O/L Chemistry, Physics, Math. or General Science will be an advantage.

 

Academic Requirements

To obtain a B.A. Honours in Theatre Arts, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 135 credit hours 111 of which must come from Theatre Arts courses; 12 from GSS, and 12 from (various) elective courses including a Language course as a related discipline.

Of the 111 Theatre Arts credit hours, 78 must come from general, 30 from specific “stress” areas including the’ Thesis/project, and 3 from participation orientation courses. However, a candidate is not allowed to carry less then 15 or more than 24 credit hours in a Semester.