Communication and Theatre Arts

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

Professors G. Dickerson and J. Younger; Assistant Professors L. Chudzinski, L. Makay, J. O’Reilly and C. Tucci; Instructors L. Detwiller, D. Higgins and J. Spahr. Public Relations Coordinating Committee: L. Chudzinski, B. Tucker, and R. Wahlstrom.

Communication and Theatre Arts Majors

 Plus, select at least two different CTA experiential learning courses from: 
       MED 216, COM 217, MED 218, THR 219 or THR 220 (1 hour each)         2 hours 

Media Track: (32 semester hrs.) The media track is designed for students planning careers in broadcast journalism, higher education, media production, announcing, programming, and advanced study in communication.
Curriculum:

                               
Plus, select one course from : (Junior level discipline specific communication requirement)
COM 335   Oral Interpretation                                                                         3 hours
COM 351   Oral Communication II                                                                   3 hours
Plus, select at least two different CTA experiential learning courses from: 
          MED 216, COM 217, MED 218, THR 219 or THR 220 (1 hour each)   2 hours

                
Plus, select at least two different CTA experiential learning courses from: 
        MED 216, COM 217, MED 218, THR 219 or THR 220 (1 hour each)          2 hours
 

Required:

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

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.). 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)

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)

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)

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)
 

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.). 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)

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)

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 even-odd 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):

IV. Theatre Courses (THR):