The Certificate in Social Justice and the Performing Arts is designed to expose students in any major to a combination of Theatre Arts, Dance, and Music courses across disciplines and give them opportunities to take part in and create projects.
This certificate helps students to align their discipline studies more closely with their interests and desire to be of service to their communities and peers.
In Iowa's Department of Theatre Arts, the focus is on the art of the stage—acting, directing, design, playwriting, and technical theatre. With 25–30 productions staged annually, Iowa’s theatre department produces more work in one year than some do in five.
The department is committed to new plays and is one of the best-known centers for the development of new works. It also is home to the Iowa Playwrights Workshop, one of the finest graduate playwriting programs in America.
About half of theatre arts students complete a second major in another department, such as English or film studies. The department offers two special double majors: one in theatre and music and another in theatre and dance, for students interested in musical theatre. These double majors offer students an opportunity to explore a popular field in a rigorous and enjoyable way.
Information
Our certificate allows students to combine the performing arts with these areas of interest:
- Race and ethnicity in the U.S.
- Gender, women’s, and sexuality studies
- Global and transnational studies
- The environment and ecological justice
The Social Justice and Performing Arts Certificate requires 21 s.h. of performing arts and social justice coursework, with at least 18 s.h. at the University of Iowa.