Communication and Theatre Arts Department

Since the beginnings of western civilization, skill in public speaking has been the mark of a well-educated person while theatre has been a primary medium for artistic expression. During this century the rapid explosion of communication technologies and an increased emphasis on functional group and interpersonal communication have placed new demands on citizens. Courses and co-curricular activities in the department provide students with opportunities to develop proficiencies, knowledge and aesthetic appreciation in communication media and theatre.

The Communication Studies track is designed for those planning careers in business, higher education, politics, law, social sciences and the ministry. The Media track is designed for those planning careers in broadcast journalism, higher education, media production and programming and announcing. The Theatre and Theatre with Music Theatre Emphasis tracks provide study for those seeking careers or advanced study in theatre. The department offers minors in Broadcast Journalism, Communication and Theatre Arts and offers an interdisciplinary minor in Film Studies.

The department's mission includes meeting the needs of several constituencies:

  1. Students meeting the general education requirements of the College.
  2. Students majoring in Communication and Theatre Arts who will:  
  3. enter graduate work in theatre, media, general communication, law and other professional programs.
  4. seek employment in their chosen profession at the completion of their degree.
  5. Students wishing to engage in communication activities in the local, state, national and global communities.
  6. Students not majoring in Communication and Theatre Arts who desire training or experience in specific program areas both academic and co-curricular.
  7. The local community through co-curricular activities, including radio broadcasts, television cablecasts and theatrical productions.
To meet the needs of these constituencies, the department’s academic program is guided by these goals:

    
For all Heidelberg students, provide opportunities:

  • to develop basic competencies in public speaking, group and interpersonal communication, oral interpretation, media production, journalism, acting and theatre production.
  • to develop aesthetic appreciation and understand the value of theatre and media.
  • to contribute to the aesthetic climate of the college community through theatre and broadcast performances.

For students electing the Media track, provide opportunities:

  • to develop competent skills and theoretical understanding of media production.
  • to develop understanding of the role of media communication in contemporary society.
  • to develop skills and knowledge necessary for the critical assessment of media communication in various contexts.
  • to develop aesthetic appreciation and understanding of the value of media.
  • to provide internship opportunities for students who will enter the workforce following graduation in a position requiring media communication skills.

For students electing the Communication Studies track, provide opportunities:

  • to develop competent skills and theoretical understanding of public speaking, persuasion, argumentation and debate, oral interpretation, small group communication, and interpersonal communication.
  • to develop understanding of the history of communication and its role in contemporary society.
  • to develop skills and knowledge necessary for the critical assessment of communication in various contexts.
  • to develop aesthetic appreciation and understanding of the value of oral performance of literature.
  • to provide internship opportunities for students who will enter the workforce in a position requiring communication skills following graduation.

For students electing the Theatre or Theatre with Music Theatre Emphasis tracks, provide opportunities:

  • to develop competent skills in and theoretical understanding of acting, oral interpretation, and theatre production.
  • to develop understanding of the history of theatre and the role of theatre in contemporary society.
  • to develop skills and knowledge necessary for the critical assessment of theatre.
  • to develop aesthetic appreciation and understanding of the value of the theatre arts.
  • to provide internship opportunities for students who choose careers in the theatre.

    
    The department seeks to meet these objectives through both the curricular and co-curricular programs. Theatre performances, radio and television programming, the student newspaper and the speech team provide opportunities for the development of both skill and aesthetic dimensions of the activities.