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Bachelor of Arts
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University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
United States

English- Drama

About

The English: Drama Bachelor of Arts program at Pennsylvania University is a four-year, full-time undergraduate program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of dramatic literature, theatrical traditions, and performance analysis. The curriculum integrates literary analysis, theater history, performance studies, critical theory, and research methodology, enabling students to interpret dramatic texts, evaluate theatrical practices, and explore the cultural and historical contexts of drama. Students engage in textual analysis, performance workshops, and applied research projects, cultivating analytical, interpretive, and critical thinking skills essential for professional or academic careers in literature, theater, performing arts, or education.

Throughout the program, students participate in seminars, workshops, and experiential learning guided by faculty experts in drama, literature, and performance studies. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary research, applied analysis, and cultural literacy, preparing graduates to interpret texts, evaluate theatrical productions, and contribute to scholarly or practical initiatives in drama and performing arts. Students leave the program with analytical skills, research competence, critical reasoning, and performance literacy, fully prepared for careers or advanced study in literature, drama, theater studies, or arts administration.

Key information

Duration
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Tuition fee
$60,920.00/year
Start dates & application deadlines
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More details
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Key Facts

  • Program Title: English- Drama
  • Degree Type: Bachelor of Arts
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Mode of Study: Full-time, On Campus
  • Application Deadline: 05 January 2026
  • Location: University of Pennsylvania, United States
  • Field of Study: Language Studies
  • Language of Instruction: English

Program Structure

Year 1 – Foundations in Drama

  • Introduction to Dramatic Literature and Performance
  • Survey of Theater History and Traditions
  • Research Methods and Critical Thinking
  • Writing and Composition for Dramatic Studies

Year 2 – Intermediate Study in Literature and Performance

  • Analysis of Classical and Modern Drama
  • Theater Production and Performance Workshop
  • Applied Research Projects in Dramatic Contexts
  • Electives: Playwriting, Stage Design, or Performance Criticism

Year 3 – Advanced Analysis and Applied Research

  • Contemporary Drama and Performance Studies
  • Interdisciplinary Approaches to Literature and Theater
  • Applied Projects in Production, Analysis, and Criticism
  • Electives: Digital Theater, Directing, or Comparative Theater

Year 4 – Capstone and Professional Integration

  • Senior Thesis or Independent Research Project
  • Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Drama and Performance
  • Professional Portfolio Development
  • Internship or Applied Project in Theaters, Cultural Institutions, or Educational Settings

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the English: Drama program are prepared for careers in theater and performing arts, literary research, education, arts administration, cultural institutions, and academic research. Alumni may work as playwrights, directors, theater educators, arts administrators, researchers, or pursue graduate studies in literature, drama, performing arts, or cultural management. The program equips graduates to analyze dramatic texts, interpret performance, and apply research and analytical skills to professional and academic challenges. With strong analytical, research, and performance skills, graduates are highly competitive in professional and academic environments focused on dramatic analysis, theater production, and applied arts research.

Why Choose This Program

This program is distinguished by its integration of dramatic literature, performance studies, applied research, and interdisciplinary study within a four-year curriculum. Students benefit from mentorship, immersive workshops, and hands-on projects that connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications in drama, literature, and theater. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving, preparing graduates to evaluate complex dramatic texts, interpret performances, and contribute meaningfully to professional and academic initiatives. For students passionate about drama, literature, and performing arts, this program offers a rigorous, immersive, and career-focused pathway to professional and academic success.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact the admissions office at:
Phone: +1 215 898 5000
Email: admissions@upenn.edu
Address: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States