Department of Communication Studies, Theatre & Dance

The department of Speech Communication, Theatre & Visual Arts offers majors focusing on Speech Communication, Theatre and Visual Arts. Students select from one of the following three emphases and or minor in any of the specified three areas. Also, students can take eighteen (18) credit Hours in specific courses in Speech Communication, Theatre Arts, or Visual Arts to receive a minor respectively.

The Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication General Speech Emphasis

The Bachelor of Arts in General Speech is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in sales, marketing, motivational speaking, employee training and development, lobbying, and communication-related careers within business and industry. Many students within this emphasis enter law and divinity schools. Other majors pursue Master’s and Doctorate degrees in order to become professional educators at the college or university level. Also, students are expected to be actively involved in the activities of the Thurgood Marshall Speech and Debate Society. The Society is open to all interested students.

Interdisciplinary Studies Emphasis

The Interdisciplinary Studies Emphasis is perfect for the student able to identify a specific cognate area of study in such fields as Business, Education, Marketing, Advertising, Music Performance or Theatre and students who are interested in going to graduate and professional schools. Students in this emphasis must identify an official cognate area and will take a minimum of 18 Hours in this cognate area. The cognate area will be selected according to the student’s specific career and/or graduate or professional school objectives (e.g. pre-law minor, marketing minor, criminal justice minor, psychology minor, etc.). Also, students are expected to participate in the Thurgood Marshall Speech and Debate Society or the Speakers’ Bureau as well as student organizations specific to their graduate and/or professional school goals. (Pre-law Club, Future Educators of America, BEEP, Psychology Club, etc.). The Thurgood Marshall Society and Speakers’ Bureau are open to anyinterested student.

Performance (Acting and Directing) Emphasis

The Performance Emphasis is designed to train students who are interested in such fields of work as acting, directing, producing, and voice talent for radio, film, television, sales, marketing, news reporting, and theatre arts education. To facilitate students’ goals, Performance students study theatre history, dramatic literature, dance, actor movement, and design and technical theatre. Performance study also places importance on the development of critical thinking, creativity, and interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Enrollment in Performance Repertory is required for the emphasis. Students whose emphasis is Performance must also be actively involved with the Mary McLeod Bethune Players. Orchesis Dance Ensemble within this emphasis. Students, outside of the major, are also invited to participate in these organizations.

The Mission and Goals of the department of Speech Communication, Theatre, & Visual Arts are to recognize the paramount importance of effective oral, written, visual, and other forms of non-verbal communication in an effort to evolve students into transformative leaders. Through inquiry, critical thinking, and collaboration, students are provided with the skills necessary for effective cultural and civic engagement as globally focused communicators, performers, and scholars.

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)

Demonstrate ability to critically listen, analyze, evaluate speakers, speeches, dramatic texts, performances, visual art forms, and apply communication, performance, artistic theories, and aesthetic and technical qualities as assessed through competency rubrics.
Apply qualitative, quantitative, or triangulation methods in art, communication or performance research as demonstrated by a competency rubric.
Organize and deliver effective oral presentations or performance with a variety of communication or performance goals and purposes, including computer and audio-visual technologies as demonstrated by a competency rubric.
Demonstrate skills and knowledge necessary for art production, effective communication, performance, and scholarship in careers, graduate or professional schools as assessed through competency rubric.
Appreciate the essence of group communication or performance including leadership and membership roles as well as effective participation to achieve realistic goals as assessed through competency rubric.
Identify audience diversity and making relevant communication or performance adjustment to age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and social-economic status in today’s global society.
Recognize, critique and demonstrate appreciation for performances, oral traditions, and works of art produced by artists of diverse cultures, both past and present.
Demonstrate civic engagement by applying communication, performance, artistic skills in real life experiences in today’s society and internship.

Programs

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