Speech Communication and Theatre Arts

Program Overview

Our mission is to address the theory and practice of human communication, in various settings and across diverse cultures, as fundamental to the humanizing process inherent in a liberal arts education. Students who major in the program can pursue an emphasis in either speech communication or theater arts. Each concentration includes tracks of study designed to provide students with both a solid liberal arts foundation while preparing them for graduate work in all areas of speech communication and theater including rhetoric, communication studies and theory, interpersonal and small group communication, journalism and public relations, media studies, and theater. The major also prepares its graduates for a variety of professional career opportunities as well.

The Speech Communications and Theatre Arts program fosters students' abilities to think reasonably and communicate intelligently and creatively. Through its theater productions, forums and internships, the Speech Communication and Theatre Arts major, enriches the quality of community life.

Major and Minor

• Speech Communication and Theatre Arts (BA)
• Communications (Minor)
• Theatre Arts (Minor)

Concentrations

In the Speech Communication concentration, students enroll for a variety of courses, including interpersonal communication, small group discussion, and rhetorical criticism. Since the study and practice of communication are grounded in both the humanities and the social sciences, majors are also encouraged to include such related subjects as aesthetics, ethics, philosophy, logic, literature, and research methods in their programs.

Students interested in a concentration in Theater Arts can pursue one of two areas: Acting or Technical Theatre. In the Acting area, we offer a mixture of courses, including History of Theatre, Basic Acting, and Theatre Practice. For the Technical area, students receive on-hands training in scenery, costumes, sound, and lighting. Theatre Arts students also play a major role in the production of annual college performances.

Prospective majors should meet with the program coordinator as early as possible to design an approved concentration plan.