Communication and Theatre Arts

Departmental content areas include Communication Studies, Radio/Television, Film, Journalism, Public Relations, Theatre (including Music Theatre emphasis).

Professors Dickerson and Younger; Associate Professor Groetzinger; Assistant Professors L. Chudzinski and J. O’Reilly; Instructors Henning, Higgins, Lucas, Spahr, and Smith. Public Relations Coordinating Committee: L. Chudzinski, B. Tucker, and R. Wahlstrom.

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, public relations, 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.

Communication and Theatre Arts Major: 31 (min.)-52 semester hours

Communication Studies Track: COM 104, 210, 245, 250, 310, 311, 335, 350, 351 (Junior level discipline specific communication requirement), 410, and 411 (Senior Capstone
Experience). One or more classes from each of the following groups: THR 105, 150, or 207; MED 156, 255, 256, 356, or 375. Two different CTA experiential learning courses.

Media Track: COM 210, 245, 310, 335 or 351 (Junior level discipline specific communication requirement), 350, 410, and 411 (Senior Capstone Experience); MED 156,
205, 226, 326, 356, and 375. Two different CTA experiential learning courses.

Theatre Track: COM 210, 310, 335 (Junior level discipline specific communication requirement), 410, and 411 (Senior Capstone Experience); THR 105, 150, 207, 213 or 214,
306, 307, 320 or 407, 325, 327. Two different CTA experiential learning courses.

Theatre with Music Theatre Emphasis Track (by audition only): THR 105, 150, 207, 213, 214, 219, 220, 306, 307, 320, 327, and 407; COM 335 (Junior level discipline specific communication requirement) and 411(Senior Capstone Experience); plus the following Music courses: MUS 121, 123, 185, 141-441 and/or 142-144 (2 experiences), 163-164 and/ or 127-428 (6-8 hrs.), 100-400 choral ensembles or 150-450 (4 experiences), and 4 hours from 122, 124, or 186.

The department considers its co-curricular activities an integral part of the total program. All CTA majors (except Public Relations) are required to take a minimum of two different Experiential Learning courses from the following areas: MED 216, COM 217, MED 218, THR 219, or THR 220.

Public Relations is an interdisciplinary major based on course work in business, English, and communication. The program provides a core course of study that emphasizes both theory and practice so that students may develop the understanding and skills needed to become a competent professional.

Students electing this major may complement it with a second major and are strongly encouraged to complete either an on-campus practicum or an off-campus internship.

Required Courses: ACC 153, ACC 253, ECO 251, ECO 252, BAE 359, MTH 115, MTH 210, CPS 100, ENG 211, ENG 313, MED 212, MED 226, COM 351, PBR 357 (Junior level discipline specific communication requirement), PBR 358 (Junior level discipline specific communication requirement), PBR 458 (Senior Capstone Experience).

Minors:

Broadcast Journalism: (21 hrs.) MED 205, 212, 218 (3 hrs.), 226, 326, 356, and 375; POL 127 and MED 156 are recommended.

Communications: (21 hrs). 104, 245, 250, 335, 350, 351, and 311.

Film Studies: (21 hrs.) MED 205, 226, 255, 256; THR 306, plus one class from each of the following: PHY 104 or ART 131, NDI 302 or PHI 200 or any additional film topics course approved by the CTA Department chair. MUS 147 or 149 recommended.

Theatre Arts: (20 hrs.) THR 105, 150, 207, 213 or 214, 219, 220, 306 or 320, 327, and 307.

Note: The Public Relations major or the Theatre Arts track can be combined with any of the three other tracks for a double major/track, and film studies can be added as a minor to any of the four major tracks. Theatre arts can be added as a minor to any track except Theatre or Theatre with Music Theatre Emphasis track. Public Relations majors and those with tracks of Theatre Arts or Communication Studies may also add the Broadcast Journalism minor.

The following combinations of tracks and /or minors are not permitted

Communications Studies track and Media track
Media track, Communication Studies minor
Media track, Broadcast Journalism minor
Communication Studies track, Communication minor
Theatre track, Theatre Arts minor
Theatre with Music Theatre emphasis track, Theatre Arts minor
Theatre with Music Theatre emphasis track, Theatre track

Experiential Learning Courses

The student may take up to, but not exceed, four hours in any single experiential course or in any combination of 216, 217, 218, 219, and 220. The student must be enrolled in the course during the semester the activity is completed.

MED 216. Experiential Learning in News Writing (1 sem. hr.). Students will write stories for each issue of the The Kilikilik published during the semester. Workshops in areas like news values, audience analysis, information gathering, writing strategies, and the ethical codes of journalism will supplement one-on-one instruction at all phases of the writing process. (Fall and Spring)

COM 217. Experiential Learning in Forensics (1 sem. hr.). Twelve hours of preliminary round intercollegiate speech competition plus 45 hours of preparation. Up to six hours of non-competitive public performance may be substituted for preliminary round competition. Student entered in competition by consent of coach. (Fall and Spring)

MED 218. Experiential Learning in Mass Communication (1 sem. hr.). Minimum three hours per week in various performance or technical capacities at WHEI Radio or WHEI-TV. Recommended: One semester’s experience in WHEI-TV or Radio. (Fall and Spring)

THR 219. Experiential Learning in Theatre Production (1 sem. hr.). Minimum of 45 hours of work on a production project. Projects can be from any design field, technical direction, stage management, or major crew responsibility. Students will complete a journal of reflections on that work. (Fall and Spring)

THR 220. Experiential Learning in Theatre Performance (1 sem. hr.). Minimum of 45 hours of rehearsal time and successful completion of performance schedule in a major theatre production. Students will complete a journal of reflections on rehearsal and performance work. (Fall and Spring)

I. Communication Courses (COM):

100. Oral Communication I (3 sem. hrs.). Introduction to theory and practice of effective oral communication in public situations. Students will examine and participate in a variety of informative and persuasive speeches. (Fall and Spring)

104. Small Group Communication (3 sem. hrs.). Study of the communication skills needed for effective work in teams. Designed to increase student’s ability to communicate orally, think critically, and establish interpersonal relationships within the context of the small group or team. Practice in group leadership, participation, and problem-solving. (Fall only)

210. Sophomore Seminar (1 sem. hr.). This course intends to introduce the communication, media, and theatre arts majors to the theories, concepts, and expectations of the entire CTA discipline. In addition, while in this class each student will create a portfolio that will eventually contain copies of all their writings, performances, productions, speeches, etc. Each student will maintain their portfolio throughout their tenure at Heidelberg as a CTA major. Field trips to area businesses and industries that routinely employ Heidelberg CTA alumni may also be part of this course. Open to CTA majors and minors only, (Fall only)

217. Experiential Learning in Forensics (1 sem. hr.). See earlier Experiential Learning listing. 250. Argumentation and Debate (3 sem. hrs.). Examination of process and strategy in presenting effective and rational arguments through oral communication. Special emphasis is given to methods of collecting, analyzing and using evidence, the means of persuasion through logic, and the delivery skills needed in argumentation and refutation. Recommended for pre-law and business majors. (Spring of odd-even years)
245. Interpersonal Communication (3 sem. hrs.) Examination of communication behaviors in family, friendship, work and intimate relationships. Variables such as self-concept, perception, expression of feelings, and verbal and non-verbal codes will be analyzed through readings, research and experience. Students with credit for COM 354 will not also receive credit for 245. (Fall only)

 

II. Media and Broadcast Journalism Courses (MED):

156. Mass Media in Society (3 sem. hrs.). Study of history, structure and function of mass communication, personal media, and other telecommunication in American society. Special emphasis on electronic media. Readings and research examine effects and changes in society attributed to media and the interplay of audiences and the media. The focus of this class is media literacy. Students with credit for MED 355 will not also receive credit for 156. (Fall only)

205. Introduction to Writing for the Media (3 sem. hrs.). This course introduces students to several different forms of media writing including writing for the electronic media (film, radio, and television), print media and the stage. Students will gain experience in writing news, features, advertising, press releases, stage and screen plays. (Fall only)

212. Introduction to Journalism (3 sem. hrs.). Introduction to the fundamental techniques of journalism. Prerequisite: Successful completion of or exemption from ENG 101. (Fall only)

216. Experiential Learning in News Writing (1 sem. hr.). See earlier Experiential Learning listing.

218. Experiential Learning in Mass Communication (1 sem. hr.). See earlier Experiential Learning listing.

226. Electronic Media Production I (3 sem. hrs.). Students will learn a variety of production techniques relevant to commercial radio, television, film and the web. Course is designed specifically for public relations and media students. Prerequisite: MED 205. (Every Fall and in the Spring of odd-even years)

255. Topics in Film Studies (3 sem. hrs.). This course is an examination of various critical topics associated with the cinema and an examination of various methods of film criticism. The topic approach to cinema studies allows for a wide range of approaches to the discipline. Possible topics might include: the History of American Cinema; the Hollywood Style; Women, Children & Minorities in Film; the Cinema of Baseball; Contemporary Filmmakers and Their Films: An Auteur Perspective. Course may be repeated under different topics. (Spring of even-odd years)

256. History and Criticism of Film (3 sem. hrs.). This course is a survey of the history of film from 1895 to the present with special attention given to understanding and performing film criticism. Focus of this course will be primarily on “American Hollywood Cinema,” however, it will also include a study of foreign influences upon the development of the film industry in America. (Spring of odd-even years)

326. Electronic Media Production II (3 sem. hrs.). Students will learn a variety of studio production techniques relevant to commercial radio, television, film and the web. Course is designed for public relations and media
students. Prerequisite: MED 226. Recommended: ENG 211. (Spring only)

345. Selected Topics (1-3 sem. hrs.). Study of selected topics in media of interest to upper level students and staff. Topics offered will concern areas not commonly stressed in regular courses. (Offered occasionally)

356. History and Criticism of the Electronic Media (3 sem. hrs.). A critical look at the historical development of the commercial broadcasting industry in America. Special emphasis will be given to organization, regulation, programming, and audiences. A significant portion of the class is devoted to television program criticism. Students with credit for MED 165 will not also receive credit for 356. (Spring only)

370. Internship (3 to 15 sem. hrs.). Departmental permission required. (Fall and Spring)

375. Mass Communication Law (3 sem. hrs.). Principles and case studies in communication law, constitutional guarantees, libel, privacy, contempt, privilege, copyright, and governmental regulatory agencies. (Spring only)

451, 452. Independent Study (1-3 sem. hrs.). Individual research under the direct supervision of a departmental faculty member. Opportunity for advanced work in any of the media areas (radio, television, film, journalism, or broadcast journalism) of special interest to the student. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. (Fall and Spring)

III. Public Relations Courses (PBR):

350. Practicum (1-3 sem. hrs.). An on-campus public relations work experience supervised by a faculty member of the Public Relations Coordinating Committee or the Committee’s designer. Students may earn no more than 6 hours credit. Permission of the Public Relations Coordinating Committee required for registration. (Fall and Spring)

357. Principles of Public Relations (3 sem. hrs.). Origin and development of public relations, including ethical standards and functional role in modern society. Emphasis on defining objectives, selecting media, creating message content, and evaluating effects. Practice in writing press releases. Prerequisite: MED 212. Open to Juniors and Seniors. (Fall only)

358. Message Design in Public Relations (3 sem. hrs.). Study, analysis, and preparation of public relations campaign elements including plans, publicity materials, and electronic media presentations. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing, grade of C- or better in PBR 357 and ENG 313. (Spring only)

370. Internship (3-15 sem. hrs.). An off-campus public relations work experience supervised by a faculty member of the Public Relations Coordinating Committee or the Committee’s designee. Permission of the Public Relations Coordinating Committee required for registration. (Fall and Spring)

458. Public Relations Campaign Planning (3 sem. hrs.). This course is intended as a senior capstone course for students majoring in public relations. Students will apply theory to practice through various experiential learning opportunities with emphasis placed on a live project. Theoretical knowledge and practical skills developed in PBR 357 and 358 will be utilized as students design a public relations campaign for a client selected from the local community or the campus. Prerequisite: PBR 358 with C-or better.

IV. Theatre Courses (THR):

105. Play Production: Stagecraft (3 sem. hrs.). A practical course in the elements of technical theatre production, including scenic design, set construction, scene painting, lighting and costuming. Extra laboratory hours on actual production provide practical experience. Students must sign up for one 2-hour laboratory period outside of the instructional class hour. Especially recommended for the prospective public school teacher. (Fall and Spring)

150. Introduction to the Theatre (3 sem. hrs.). Understanding the theatre’s nature and historical significance as well as the contributions of playwright, director, actor, designer and critic. Student preparation includes attending plays and/or involvement with a production. (Fall and Spring)

207. Acting (3 sem. hrs.). Stresses theory and principles of acting. Designed to meet needs of those directly concerned with theatre production. Laboratory exercises progress from simple group and individual improvisations to acting in cuttings from great dramas. (Fall and Spring)

213. Stage Movement and Period Styles (1 sem. hr.). This course deals with basic movement for the stage for actors, preparing the actor’s body through warm-up and dance exercises, and specialized problems in acting in period plays. (Fall)

214. Period and Musical Dance Styles (1 sem. hr.). This course deals with period dances often used in period drama or comedy, and basic principles of dance and choreography for the modern musical. (Spring)

219. Experiential Learning in Theatre Production (1 sem. hr.). See earlier Experiential Learning listing.

220. Experiential Learning in Theatre Performance (1 sem. hr.). See earlier Experiential Learning listing.

306. Play Production: Directing (3 sem. hrs.). The director’s role in the theatre with specific practice in the selection and analysis of a play, coordination of related technical areas and directing the actor. Each student prepares and presents scenes from selected plays and a one-act play, as part of the Heidelberg Season. (Fall of odd-even years)

307. Advanced Acting (2 sem. hrs.). Theory and practice in specialized areas of acting with a semester’s concentration on one stylistic approach such as Greek tragedy, Renaissance tragedy or comedy, Commedia dell’Arte, mime, Chekhovian drama, theatre of the absurd, or acting in film and television. Prerequisites: THR 207. (Spring only)

320. Play Production: Musical Theatre (3 sem. hrs.). Practical study of the history and development of the musical theatre with emphasis on the actor’s, stage director’s and choreographer’s roles. Students will gain experience in analysis, preparation, and staging of musical numbers from standard operettas and musical plays. (Fall of even-odd years)

325. Drama to 1900 (3 sem. hrs.). Beginning with the classic theatre of Greece and Rome, the student is introduced to major playwrights of the theatre from ancient times to 1900. Student preparation includes extensive reading of great dramas and representative plays from world literature. Prerequisite: THR 150 (Spring of odd-even years)

327. Modern Drama (3 sem. hrs.). Survey of the major plays and trends of the modern theatre beginning with the contributions of Ibsen and Strindberg and including such contemporary figures as Albee, lonesco and Beckett. Prerequisite: THR 150. (Spring of even-odd years)

345. Selected Topics (1-3 sem. hrs.). Study of selected topics in theatre of interest to upper level students and staff. Topics offered will concern areas not commonly stressed in regular courses. (Offered occasionally)

370. Internship (3 to 15 sem. hrs.). Departmental permission required. (Fall and Spring)

407. Advanced Acting II (2 sem. hrs.). Additional theory and practice in specialized areas of acting. Prerequisites: THR 207 and 307. (Spring only)

451, 452. Independent Study (1-3 sem. hrs.). Individual research under the direct supervision of a departmental faculty member. Opportunity for advanced work in theatre arts areas of special interest to the student. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. (Fall and Spring)

Theatre with Music Theatre Emphasis Track

The areas of Music and Theatre work together to provide an emphasis for those with an interest in music theatre: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in CTA: Theatre with Music Theatre Emphasis Track.

The B.A./B.S. provides those interested in pursuing a career which will include standard musical comedy or musical drama performances with basic skills for preparing a musical role, directing a musical, or designing for musicals. Although a professional career is a possibility for the talented and dedicated, this program is not pre-professional and is designed for those seeking a graduate education and planning to teach or direct musical theatre on the high school or college level.

Admission to the program is limited and requires an audition. Interested parties should contact the Communication and Theatre Arts Department for exact dates and to reserve an audition time.

BA/BS: Theatre with Music Theatre Emphasis Track

• Housed in CTA, with support courses from Music
• Overall objective: to provide rudimentary musical/vocal, acting, and physical/dance training for actors who wish to participate in music theater, in addition to their study of drama/comedy
• Theater option to be operated under audition process. Students may apply to be a theater track without an audition, but if they wish to include the Music Theatre emphasis track, an audition is required. The audition will include the following requirements:

Vocal audition
Acting audition (monologue)
Movement audition
Musicianship evaluation
Interview

CURRICULUM:

Theatre Component: (30-32 hours)

THR 105	Play Production: Stagecraft	3 hours
THR 150	Introduction to the Theater	2 hours
THR 207	Acting	3 hours
THR 213	Stage Movement & Period Styles	1 hour
THR 214	Period and Musical Dance Styles	1 hour
THR 306	Play Production: Directing	3 hours
THR 307	Advanced Acting	2 hours
THR 320	Play Production: Musical Theater	3 hours
THR 327	Modern Drama	3 hours
COM 335	Oral Interpretation	3 hours
THR 407	Advanced Acting II	2 hours
COM 411	Senior Seminar (Capstone)	2 hours
THR 219	Experiential Learning, Theater Production	1 hour
THR 220	Experiential Learning, Theater Performance	1-3 hours

Music Component: (18-20 hours)

Category One: Performance Skills: -minimum 8 hours to include A, B, and C below:

A.	MUS 163-64, Voice classes and/or  MUS 127-428, Non-major applied voice	6-8 hours
B.	MUS 141-441, Opera Theater and/or MUS 142-442, Opera Workshop (hours vary)	minimum: two experiences)
C.	Choral Ensembles (MUS 100, 200, 300, 400; 150, 250, 350, 450)	(minimum: 4 experiences)

Category Two: Basic Skills: 10 hours, selected from the following courses, based on a placement exam:

Required: (6 hours)

MUS 121	Music Theory I	2 hours
MUS 123	Aural Training I	2 hours
MUS 185	Piano Class	2 hours

Remaining hours (4) to be selected from:

MUS 122	Music Theory II	2 hours
MUS 124	Aural Training II	2 hours
MUS 186	Piano Class II	2 hours

254. Family Communication (3 sem. hrs.). An examination of communication in a variety of family systems including marriage partners, parent-child, and extended families. Focus on family types, creation of family meanings, conflict, decision-making and communication behavior which enhances family living. (Spring only)

310. Junior Portfolio Review (0 sem. hrs.). Juniors continue work begun in COM 210 on their portfolios. Students will work with a faculty mentor in their major and present their portfolio at the end of the semester to departmental faculty. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status, COM 210. (Spring only)

311. Organizational Communication (3 sem. hrs.). This course will examine how organizations communicate: message initiation, the role of management, management practices, the culture of the organization, employee motivation, and conflict resolution in the work place. Students will read case studies and study theoretical approaches to analyzing organizational communication processes. An objective of the class requires that students learn to work in groups to solve organizational problems and accomplish goals. (Spring of even-odd years)

335. Oral Interpretation (3 sem. hrs.). Study of the art of reading aloud. Emphasis on the analysis and performance of literature — especially intratextual and intertextual programs. Recommended for all prospective teachers, kindergarten through high school English, as well as communication, theatre, music theatre emphasis, and media track majors interested in performance, public speaking, or directorial careers. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing. (Fall only)

345. Selected Topics (1-3 sem. hrs.). Study of selected topics in communication of interest to upper level students and staff. Topics offered will concern areas not commonly stressed in regular courses. (Offered occasionally)

350. Persuasion (3 sem. hrs.). Study of rhetorical and psychological theories of attitude change in human communication. Includes the development, analysis, and presentation of written and oral persuasive messages and campaigns. Ethical standards will be considered. (Fall only)

351. Oral Communication II (3 sem. hrs.). Advanced study in platform speaking. Students prepare and deliver several speeches. Readings in traditional rhetoric and contemporary communication theory. Practice in audience analysis and rhetorical analysis. Recommended for pre-ministerial, pre-law and business majors. Open to Juniors and Seniors. Prerequisite: Completion of COM 100 at a “C-” or better. (Spring only)

370. Internship (3 to 15 sem. hrs.). Departmental permission required. (Fall and Spring)

410. Senior Portfolio Review (0 sem. hrs.) Seniors complete work begun in COM 210 and continued in COM 310. Students will work with faculty mentors and present their portfolios to departmental faculty at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: COM 310. (Spring only)

411. Seminar (2 sem. hrs.). Study of theatre, media, and rhetorical criticism. Major research project and public presentation. Required of all departmental majors (except Public Relations). Open to Juniors and Seniors. (Fall only)

451,452. Independent Study (1-3 sem. hrs.). Individual research under the direct supervision of a departmental faculty member. Opportunity for advanced work in any of the communication areas of special interest to the
student. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. (Fall and Spring)