Theatre Department Homepage

Communication/Theatre (CTH)
Students majoring or minoring in communication/theatre are prepared for a wide variety of careers, including acting, arts management, public relations, mass communications, teaching and community affairs. Any career choice will be enhanced by well-developed skills in oral communication. The curriculum and activities of the department are designed to integrate the liberal arts and professions, promote effective and responsible leadership, satisfy requirements for entry into graduate school, improve basic communication skills, and provide opportunities for participation in dramatic presentations and/or intercollegiate forensics. Students may choose majors or minors with a communication or theatre emphasis.

*Electives (both majors and minors):

*Electives (Theatre Major):

*Electives (Theatre Minor):

7-12 Language Arts-Drama/Theatre Education Endorsement
This endorsement requires a teaching major in 7-12, K-8 or K-12 and passage of the appropriate PRAXIS II test. The following courses are only suggested content in preparation for exceeding the minimum score of the PRAXIS II series test. These classes are not required for this endorsement; see your adviser or the education department chair for any clarification.

Students must take EDU 300, EDU 330SE and ENG 327 simultaneously.

7-12 Language Arts-Speech/Debate Endorsement
This endorsement requires a teaching major in 7-12, K-8 or K-12 and passage of the appropriate PRAXIS II test. The following courses are only suggested content in preparation for exceeding the minimum score of the PRAXIS II series test. These classes are not required for this endorsement; see your adviser or the education department chair for any clarification.

Dramatic Productions
Auditions for all public performances presented by the department are open to all full-time students. Decisions as to the casting of a play rest with the director of that play. The merit of each individual will be considered in relationship to the part or parts for which the student has auditioned. Merit might include a combination of any of the following: previous experience, vocal ability, acting ability, physical stature and other characteristics germane to the particular part.

A student, on accepting a part, is responsible for being at all rehearsals and performing the role to the best of his/her ability. Where a question of artistic interpretation is involved, the student is bound by the role of an actor to accept the interpretation of the director.

Forensics Participation
Participation in forensics is open to all full-time students. Previous high school participation is not a prerequisite. Students may be involved in forensics for academic credit or without credit. All participants are expected to participate in intercollegiate forensics events and meet with the director of forensics for such preparation as necessary.

Course Descriptions
Communication
101 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3 hours F,S
This course provides practical experience in researching, writing and delivering speeches. Assignments include speeches to introduce, inform and persuade, as well as participation in a panel discussion. Critical thinking is addressed through speech criticism and analysis of reasoning, evidence and types of proof.
General Education: Oral Communication

128/129, 228/229, 328/329, 428/429 Forensics 1-2 hours F,S
This course offers practical experience in campus and intercollegiate speech activities. Students may enroll for one or two hours every semester for a maximum of eight hours. Consent of the instructor is required for enrolling in two hours of forensics credit. Six hours may be used for a major and three hours for a minor. The level of sophistication and the responsibilities required of students will increase with the degree of participation. Students will be required to attend intercollegiate events or assume responsibilities for campus forensics programs.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

210 Interpersonal Communication 3 hours F
Students study the theories of one-on-one communication and develop practical skills. Areas of study include perception, individual identity, relationship dynamics, family dynamics and diversity. The goal of the course is to make students better communicators in a setting that does not focus on public speaking.

225/325 Introduction to Mass Communication 3 hours F07
This course examines the roles and responsibilities of media. Students examine the history of media, theories of mass communication and the impact of the media on culture. Emphasis is placed on current issues in mass media and communication.

299 Selected Topics - Basic 1-3 hours S

365 Interviewing 3 hours F08
This course introduces students to the theory and practice of interviewing. Students research and develop interview instruments, conduct interviews, and examine the ethics of interviewing. Assignments include information, employment and persuasive interviews.

370 Advanced Persuasive Speaking 3 hours S08
Students will investigate the role of persuasion in society, study the theories of argumentation, and prepare and deliver speeches to persuade, including indictment and proposition speeches and policy debates.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

451 Practicum or Internship in Communication 1-3 hours F,S
Students may develop practical learning experiences or internships in consultation with the instructors in such areas as radio and television broadcasting, publicity, promotion and advertising. Internships are available in management, promotion or performance. This course is offered Credit/No Credit only.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, junior status and cumulative 3.0 GPA.

460 Independent Study 1-3 hours F,S
Flexible programs may be designed to meet advanced students’ interests.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

499 Selected Topics - Advanced 1-3 hours S07

Course Descriptions
Theatre
111/211/311/411 Theatre Activity 1 hour F,S
Students will complete an individual project in acting, directing, makeup design, stagecraft, lighting, playwriting, props, sound, costumes or publicity for a Theatre production.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

131 Introduction to Theatre 3 hours F
This course introduces the student to the study and art of Theatre. In the course, students explore the communicative, collaborative and performance elements of the theatrical process. Through the study of artists, productions and dramatic texts, students learn about Theatre’s historical and critical influence as a social force, as well as the value of active participation in the arts.
General Education: The Arts

202/302 Oral Interpretation 3 hours S08
Students will study the principles of interpretation. Practical experiences in individual readings, choral reading and reader’s Theatre will be available. Students will prepare a program for public presentation.
General Education: The Arts

203 Acting I 3 hours F07
This course explores the basic techniques of acting, using exercises in observation, concentration, sense recall, emotional recall and imagination as the basis of character development. Students learn how voice and body are tools for creating a role. These explorations culminate in interpretation and performance of scenes from contemporary plays.
General Education: The Arts

212 Fundamentals of Production Design 2 hours F
Through this course students explore the production design process. Students study basic design techniques specific to the areas of scenic, costume and lighting design, as well as designer communication and the development of production concepts. The role of directors and designers in the collaborative process is explored throughout the course.

215 Stagecraft 3 hours S08
This course is an introduction to the basic elements of technical Theatre. Students will learn the techniques of scenic construction, lighting techniques, properties fabrication, and Theatre procedures and protocol as related to production. Students will develop projects to increase their mastery of each area. Particular emphasis will be placed on Theatre safety. This course is required of all majors and minors.

299 Selected Topics - Basic 1-3 hours S

335 Directing 3 hours S07
This course introduces the student to the art and craft of Theatre directing. Students will study the various elements of production (including acting, design, technical Theatre, dramatic literature) and their relationship to directing. Through study and practical application, students will explore the creative, communicative, performative and analytical skills required of the Theatre director.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

403 Acting II 3 hours F06
The course is designed to acquaint students with acting styles of important eras in Theatre history and the special considerations inherent in performing these dramas. The course emphasizes cultural distinctions in manners, movement and vocal practice as they relate to the analysis and performance of period drama. Students learn techniques of performing Greek tragedy, Elizabethan drama, Restoration comedy, epic Theatre and modern “isms” such as symbolism, expressionism, surrealism and absurdism.

410 Theatre History and Dramatic Literature 3 hours S07
This course surveys the Theatre history and literature of Western Civilization. Students will study the historical context from which Theatre has emerged and significant plays that reflect these contexts. In addition, students will study the history of Theatre artists and innovators, production methods, Theatre architecture and dramatic theory in order to better understand Theatre and its impact on the past and present.
General Education: The Arts

450 Practicum or Internship in Theatre 1-3 hours F,S
Students may develop practicums or internships in consultation with the instructors in such areas as radio and television broadcasting, or community, educational and professional Theatre. Internships are available in management, production or performance. This course is offered Credit/No Credit only.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, junior status and cumulative 3.0 GPA.

461 Independent Study 1-3 hours F,S
Advanced students may design flexible programs to meet their interests in such areas as research, education, senior production or performance.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

499 Selected Topics - Advanced 1-3 hours S