# Concentration Requirements
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The goal of the Theater, Dance & Media undergraduate concentration is to foster the imagination and intellect using a broad range of arts-based research and practice techniques. TDM offers training in a variety of methods to create expressive culture. Students are strongly encouraged to work across art forms—including literature, music, and the visual arts as well as with and beyond the other disciplines in the humanities—to incorporate new ideas and forms of knowledge into their work in the performing arts.
## For concentration declarations Fall 2025 and earlier:
Open all sections Close all sections
### Basic Requirements expand\_more
12 courses, plus 1 Crew and 1 Theater Safety Module (for sole or double concentrations)
1. **Eight Required Courses**
1. [Critical/Scholarly Courses](#critical)**:** 4 courses
2. [Studio/Practice-based Courses](#studio)**:** 4 courses
3. Notes about the Eight Required courses:
1. One of the eight courses in either scholarly or practice-based approaches must be in non-U.S. theater/dance or non-traditional performance.
2. By TDM approval, up to 2 courses outside of the approved TDM Course List can count towards concentration requirements. [Applications for an exception](/file_url/1943) must include a course syllabus, which should demonstrate that at least 50% of the course material is related to theater, dance, media and/or performance.
1. [TDM Course Exception Application Form](/file_url/1943)
2. [Two Tutorials](#tutorials) (TDM 97 & 98)
1. [TDM 97 Sophomore Tutorial](/links/drama-theater-theory)
2. [TDM 98 Junior Tutorial](/links/junior-tutorial)
3. [Two Production Studios](#productionstudios) (TDM 90AR/BR/CR/DR)
4. [Crew & Training Module Requirements](#crew)
1. The Samuel Becket Crew Assignment
2. Theater Safety Module
### Honors Requirements expand\_more
14 courses, plus 1 Crew and 1 Theater Safety Module (for sole or double concentrators pursuing honors)
1. **Eight Required Courses**
1. [Critical/Scholarly Courses](#critical)**:** 4 courses
2. [Studio/Practice-based Courses](#studio)**:** 4 courses
3. Notes about the Eight Required courses:
1. One of the eight courses in either scholarly or practice-based approaches must be in non-U.S. theater/dance or non-traditional performance.
2. By TDM approval, up to 2 courses outside of the approved TDM Course List can count towards concentration requirements. [Applications for an exception](/file_url/1943) must include a course syllabus, which should demonstrate that at least 50% of the course material is related to theater, dance, media and/or performance.
1. [TDM Course Exception Application Form](/file_url/1943)
2. [Four Tutorials](#tutorials)
1. [TDM 97 Sophomore Tutorial](/links/drama-theater-theory)
2. [TDM 98 Junior Tutorial](/links/junior-tutorial)
3. [Senior Thesis](#thesis): TDM 99A/B Senior Tutorial (year-long 8-credit course)
3. [Two Production Studios](#productionstudios) **(TDM 90AR/BR/CR/DR)**
4. [Crew & Training Module Requirements](#crew)
1. The Samuel Becket Crew Assignment
2. Theater Safety Module
**More information (HarvardKey required)**
- [Theater, Dance & Media Thesis Handbook](https://hwpi.harvard.edu/os_fast/files/tdm/tdm_25_senior_honors_thesis_handbook.pdf) for Class of 2025 (updated January 2024)
- [Theater, Dance & Media Thesis Application](https://hwpi.harvard.edu/os_fast/files/tdm/tdm_24-25_thesis_proposal_application.pdf) (updated January 2024)
- [Theater, Dance & Media Sample Title Page](https://hwpi.harvard.edu/os_fast/files/tdm/tdm_sample_title_page.pdf)
### Joint Concentration expand\_more
### TDM as a Primary Field
10 courses plus 1 Crew and 1 Theater Safety Module
1. **Five Required Courses:**
1. [Critical/Scholarly Courses](#critical)\*: 3 courses
2. [Studio/Practice-based Courses](#studio)\***:** 2 courses
3. Notes about the Five Required courses:
1. \*One of the above 5 required courses must explore a time period before 1900 and one must focus on theater or traditional performance practices outside of the United States
2. By TDM approval, up to 2 courses outside of the approved TDM Course List can count towards concentration requirements. [Applications for an exception](/file_url/1943) must include a course syllabus, which should demonstrate that at least 50% of the course material is related to theater, dance, media and/or performance.
1. [TDM Course Exception Application Form](/file_url/1943)
2. [Tutorials](#tutorials): 4 courses
1. TDM 97 Sophomore Tutorial
2. TDM 98 Junior Tutorial (coordinated, perhaps with other field)
3. [Senior Thesis](#thesis): TDM 99A & TDM 99B Senior Tutorial
1. Two terms, joint project with other field.
2. If thesis project includes performance, TDM must be the Primary Field
3. [Production Studio](#productionstudios)**:** 1 course
1. TDM 90AR/BR/CR/DR
4. [Crew Assignment & Theater Safety Module](#crew)
1. The Samuel Becket Crew Assignment
2. Theater Safety Module
### TDM as an Allied Field
7 courses plus 1 Crew and 1 Theater Safety Module
1. **Four Required Courses:**
1. [Critical/Scholarly Courses](#critical): 2 courses (one spanning a substantial time period)
2. [Studio/Practice-based Courses](#studio): 2 courses
3. Notes about the Five Required courses:
1. By TDM approval, up to 2 courses outside of the approved TDM Course List can count towards concentration requirements. [Applications for an exception](/file_url/1943) must include a course syllabus, which should demonstrate that at least 50% of the course material is related to theater, dance, media and/or performance.
1. [TDM Course Exception Application Form](/file_url/1943)
2. [Tutorials](#tutorials): 4 courses
1. TDM 97 Sophomore Tutorial
2. TDM 98 Junior Tutorial (coordinated, perhaps with other field)
3. Other Field 99A &99B
1. If thesis project includes performance, TDM must be the Primary Field
3. [Production Studio](#productionstudios)**:** 1 course
1. TDM 90AR/BR/CR/DR
4. [Crew Assignment & Theater Safety Module](#crew)
1. The Samuel Becket Crew Assignment
2. Theater Safety Module
## For concentration declarations Fall 2026 and later:
Open all sections Close all sections
### Basic Requirements expand\_more
12 courses, plus 1 Crew and 1 Theater Safety Module (for sole or double concentrations)
1. *Required Courses:*
1. Three courses focused on [critical and scholarly](#critical) approaches to theater, dance, and media.
2. Three courses that are [practice-based or studio](#studio).
3. Two elective courses, one of which may be in a related field (with approval from the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies).
4. One course in design or technical aspects of performance.
5. One [TDM Production Studio](#productionstudios).
6. Note: At least one of the courses in (a), (b), (c), or (d) must focus on non-Western or non-traditional theatrical practices. Additionally, at least one of those courses must focus on pre-20th-century performance. Finally, at least one of those courses must focus on theater, one on dance, and one on media.
2. [*Tutorials*](#tutorials)*:*
1. Sophomore year: TDM 97: Sophomore Tutorial: Foundational Concepts in Theater, Dance & Media
2. Junior year: TDM 98: Junior Tutorial
3. [*Crew & Training Module Requirements*](#crew) (graded SAT/UNSAT)
1. Crew Assignment
2. Theater Safety Module (ordinarily completed concurrently with enrollment in TDM 97)
### Honors Requirements expand\_more
14 courses, plus 1 Crew and 1 Theater Safety Module (for sole or double concentrators pursuing honors)
1. *Required Courses:*
1. Three courses focused on [critical and scholarly](#critical) approaches to theater, dance, and media.
2. Three courses that are [practice-based or studio](#studio).
3. Two elective courses, one of which may be in a related field (with approval from the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies).
4. One course in design or technical aspects of performance.
5. One [TDM Production Studio](#productionstudios).
6. Note: At least one of the courses in (a), (b), (c), or (d) must focus on non-Western or non-traditional theatrical practices. Additionally, at least one of those courses must focus on pre-20th-century performance. Finally, at least one of those courses must focus on theater, one on dance, and one on media.
2. [*Tutorials*](#tutorials)
1. Sophomore year: TDM 97: Sophomore Tutorial: Foundational Concepts in Theater, Dance & Media
2. Junior year: TDM 98: Junior Tutorial
3. Senior year: TDM 99A/B: Senior Tutorial
3. [*Crew & Training Module Requirements*](#crew) (graded SAT/UNSAT)
1. Crew Assignment
2. Theater Safety Module (ordinarily completed concurrently with enrollment in TDM 97)
### Joint Concentration expand\_more
For TDM as the Primary Field: 10 courses (40 credits), plus 1 Crew and 1 Theater Safety Module
For TDM as the Allied field: 8 courses (32 credits), plus 1 Crew and 1 Theater Safety Module
1. *Required Courses:*
1. Two courses focused on [critical and scholarly](#critical) approaches to theater, dance, and media.
2. Two courses that are [practice-based or studio](#studio).
3. One course in design or technical aspects of performance.
4. One [TDM Production Studio](#productionstudios).
5. Note: At least one of the courses in (a), (b), or (c) must focus on non-Western or non-traditional theatrical practices. Additionally, at least one of those courses must focus on pre-20th-century performance. Finally, at least one of those courses must focus on theater, one on dance, and one on media.
2. [*Tutorials*](#tutorials)
1. Sophomore year: TDM 97: Sophomore Tutorial: Foundational Concepts in Theater, Dance & Media
2. Junior year: TDM 98: Junior Tutorial
3. If TDM is Primary Field: Senior year: TDM 99A/B: Senior Tutorial. If TDM is Allied Field, student enrolls in other field’s Senior Tutorial.
3. [*Crew & Training Module Requirements*](#crew) (graded SAT/UNSAT)
1. Crew Assignment
2. Theater Safety Module (ordinarily completed concurrently with enrollment in TDM 97)
The student should consult with [a member of the TDM Advising team](/declaring-theater-dance-media) to compile a sound plan of study and for course approval to meet these requirements.
## Critical/Scholarly Courses
These courses are offered through the Standing Committee on Degrees in Theater, Dance, and Media or by faculty in allied fields, including, but not limited to, the departments of Comparative Literature, English, Music, History of Art and Architecture, Art, Film, and Visual Studies, and Folklore and Mythology. These courses should not all be taken in a single discipline, for example dramatic literature, but rather should give the student a range of experience in the various aspects of theater making.
## Studio/Practice-based Courses
Courses can include directing, design, acting, dance, choreography, playwriting, dramaturgy, and work in newer media. The student should take courses in more than one discipline.
### Notes about the Required Critical/Studio courses:
1. One of the courses in either scholarly or practice-based approaches must be in non-U.S. theater/dance or non-traditional performance.
2. By TDM approval, up to 2 courses outside of the approved TDM Course List can count towards concentration requirements. [Applications for an exception](/file_url/1943) must include a course syllabus, which should demonstrate that at least 50% of the course material is related to theater, dance, media and/or performance.
1. [TDM Course Exception Application Form](/file_url/1943)
## Tutorials
### Sophomore Tutorial (TDM 97)
Taught by TDM core faculty, this sophomore tutorial introduces students to the variety of theatrical forms, as well as to the fundamental tools of theatrical analysis. One term. Required of all, and limited to, TDM concentrators. Letter-graded. Ordinarily taken in the spring of sophomore year; in consultation with and approval from the ADUS, exceptions are only for (a) a joint/double conflict with another concentration's sophomore requirement; (b) study abroad; or (c) late declaration.
### Junior Tutorial (TDM 98)
The goal of the junior tutorial is to test insights generated from critical reading in the context of studio practice. The result of the junior tutorial can be a final performance combined with a written account of the relation between reading, research, and studio practice that has occurred over the course of the semester, or a written project that includes reflections on studio work. One term. Required. Letter-graded. Ordinarily taken in the fall of junior year.
## TDM Production Studios
Production studio courses frame and focus on TDM professionally directed, choreographed, and designed productions each term. Students are expected to assume major artistic roles, such as actors, dancers, apprentice directors, choreographers, designers, dramaturgs or producers.
## Crew and Theater Safety Module
The Samuel Becket Crew Assignment: Students must complete one production crew assignment by working on one TDM production or TDM thesis production. Students work under the guidance of professionals in the following areas: lights, set, costumes, sound, video/media, run crew. All crew assignments must be arranged with and approved by TDM Production staff at the beginning of each semester. About 40 hours.
Theater Safety Module: A workshop in theater safety, completed by the end of senior year first semester. The workshop is typically completed concurrently with enrollment in TDM 97.
Both Crew Assignment and Theater Safety Module are graded SAT/UNSAT.
## Senior Thesis
Thesis projects may be either a research paper or production thesis. All TDM thesis projects are proposed in the spring of the junior year and must be approved by a TDM faculty committee. While the thesis project itself is graded, the tutorial is graded SAT/UNSAT.
1. Research paper honors theses are yearlong research and writing projects supervised by a faculty member, similar to those in English and other humanities departments.
2. Production honors thesis projects combine substantial research with a creative component and are supervised by a faculty member.
1. TDM Production Theses fall into three broad categories: Dramatic Writing, Design and Performance. In all cases, production theses are large scale works supported by substantial research that offer interpretive, historical, and/or theoretical perspectives on their chosen topic and/or disciplinary approach.
2. All production theses culminate in the public presentation of their creative work as part of TDM’s annual Senior Thesis Festival.
For more details about the Senior Thesis process in Theater, Dance & Media, [please visit the Senior Thesis page](https://tdm.fas.harvard.edu/senior-thesis).
## Honors Recommendations and College Latin Honors
In May of each year the full Theater, Dance & Media faculty meets to determine English honors, also referred to as "departmental honors.” There are four categories: no honors, honors, high honors, and highest honors. A further purpose of this meeting is to provide recommendations to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, which decides the level of Latin honors (*cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude)* on the basis of the student’s departmental recommendation and overall academic record.
The determination of Latin honors at the College level is limited to a percentage of the graduating class, roughly as follows: 4-5% *summa cum laude*, 15% *magna cum laude*, and 30% *cum laude*, such that the total of all three types of degrees represents slightly less than 50% of the graduating class. New cumulative GPA cutoffs are determined for each graduating class. For students receiving a November or a March degree, the college applies the cutoffs established for the previous May degrees. For details on this process, see the [FAS Registar page on Honors for undergraduate degrees](https://registrar.fas.harvard.edu/honors) (opens in a new tab). You may also want to review the [FAS Handbook for Students](https://handbook.college.harvard.edu/). Questions should be directed to the Registrar’s office or to a student’s Resident Dean.
## The Concentration GPA & Grading Basis Notes
All letter-graded courses that can count for the TDM concentration will count for the concentration grade point average. Courses counting for concentration credit must be taken for a letter grade. The only exception is an approved First-Year Seminar, which is graded SAT/UNS.