Social Action, Justice, and the Performing Arts (Undergraduate Certificate)
Offered by the Department of Performing Arts, College of Arts and Sciences, the Social Action, Justice, and the Performing Arts (Undergraduate Certificate) is designed for credential students interested in a focused study of arts for social action. The program is intended for students studying in the Department of Performing Arts, but also for any degree-seeking student across the institution or nondegree individuals interested in how the performing arts can enact social change and contribute in meaningful ways to the public good. This intensive curriculum reflects the core values of American University and prepares students for engagement in areas where the performing arts can make a difference in the lives of others and for meaningful societal change. The certificate aims to train artists with the knowledge, skills, and artistry to serve as catalysts for revolutionary societal change.
Admission to the Program
Open to all undergraduate degree and nondegree students. Minimum sophomore standing or an earned undergraduate degree required to apply. Application to the program is made through the Department of Performing Arts.
Certificate Requirements
- 13 credit hours with grades of C or better with at least 7 credit hours at or above 300-level
- Compliance with all regulations for a certificate (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 10.3)
Course Requirements
Required (7 credit hours)
- PERF-316 Introduction to Performing Arts and Social Action: Performing the Revolution (3)
- PERF-317 Performance Practicum for Social Action and Justice in the Performing Arts (1)
- PERF-420 Art, Performance, and Politics (3)
Cultural Studies Area (3 credit hours)
Complete 3 credit hours from the following, or other approved cultural studies course:
- AFAM-200 African Americans in the Diaspora (3)
- AWST-115 Introduction to the Arab World (3)
- LIT-285 Introduction to Latina/o/x Studies (3)
- WGSS-125 Gender in Society (3)
- WGSS-150 Women's Voices through Time (3)
Focused Studies Area (3 credit hours)
Complete 3 credit hours from the following, or other approved course:
- AFAM-396 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
- CRGC-360 Knowledge and Power: Critical Interdisciplinary Theory and Method (3)
- DNCE-465 Advanced Studies in Critical Inquiry (3) (approved topic)
- PERF-225 The African American Experience in the Performing Arts (3)
- PERF-318 Insiders and Outsiders in World Music (3)
- PERF-441 Advanced Studies in Music History and Ethnomusicology (3) (approved topic)
- PERF-442 Advanced Studies in Music Analysis and Performance (3) (approved topic)
- PERF-450 Rotating Topics in Theatre (1-3) (minimum 3 credit hours) (approved topic)
- SOCY-210 Power, Privilege, and Inequality (3)