Courses FAQ

Each semester there are a number of courses offered in other departments and programs that may fulfill a requirement in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) but, for a variety of reasons, do not have a cross-listing with our program.

If you would like to take a course that you believe should be counted as a TDPS course, but isn’t currently cross-listed, please let Prof. Brooks know as soon as possible (hal.brooks@yale.edu). You might be able to take the course for TDPS credit, but you must get written permission from the DUS to do so. 

You may be invited to meet to discuss the matter or contact the course instructor for a syllabus. You may need to request written confirmation from the instructor that you will be able to write or present on topics that would allow you to earn credit in TDPS (theater, dance, opera, digital media, performance studies, etc.). You also may be told that the course will count for credit towards the major once you are able to demonstrate, usually at the end of the semester, that one or more of your assignments focused on topics relevant to the major. In all such cases, you will not be able to receive credit for the course until you have express written permission (via email) from the DUS of Theater and Performance Studies. It is possible to obtain permission once you have enrolled in the course, but again, there is no guarantee.

TDPS 4701 is our independent study course. Let Prof. Brooks know if you want to pursue a Directed Independent Study. The information/application form is due the first week of the semester. 

If you are interested in taking courses at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale or any of the professional schools, please see Enrolling in Graduate and Professional School Courses for Credit for information about which courses are currently approved for credit by Yale College.

Please note that these courses have been offered in the past and are not necessarily offered in upcoming semesters. In addition, DGSD typically does not publish its courses until the start of the semester. TDPS does not influence which DGSD courses are approved for credit. Once you determine that the course is being offered and that you can either take it for credit or are willing to audit, contact the DGSD instructor for permission. Once you receive permission, email Prof. Brooks (hal.brooks@yale.edu) and Registrar Ms. Conti (alana.conti@yale.edu) in order to complete the relevant forms. 

If you are not sure if a course counts towards the TDPS major or if you are not sure which category or categories a course may count towards, email the TDPS Registrar, Alana Conti (alana.conti@yale.edu). In most cases, this information will be clear from the course’s YCS listing. 

Graduate-level courses may or may not be open to undergraduates on a limited basis. Please contact the course’s instructor and the DUS if you are interested.