Department of Communication Studies, Theatre & Dance

The Department of Communication Studies, Theatre & Dance offers majors focusing on Communication Studies, Theatre, and Dance. 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 Communication Studies, Theatre Arts, or Dance Studies to receive a minor respectively.

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies -General Emphasis

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies-General is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a wide range of careers, graduate studies, community service, and personal development areas including business, motivational speaking, employee training and development, lobbying, and other communication-related careers. Many students enter law and divinity schools or pursue Masters and Doctorate degrees in order to become professional educators at the college or university level. General Communication Studies also places emphasis on communication ethics, effective listening, small group communication and the mastery of argumentation skills. Students in General Communication Studies are expected to be actively involved in the department’s student organizations.

Communication Studies - Interdisciplinary Emphasis

The emphasis in Interdisciplinary Studies is ideal for the student who desires to combine training and development in a variety of communication content areas with 18 hours in a second content area (Communication Studies-Political Science; Communication Studies-Criminal Justice; Communication Studies-Business; Communication Studies-English; Communication Studies-Education; and Communication Studies-Psychology; Communication Studies-Theatre). Interdisciplinary Studies also places emphasis on critical thinking and audience analysis. Also, students are expected to participate in organizations specific to their graduate school and/or career goals. (Pre-law Club, Future Educators of America, BEEP, Psychology Club, etc.).

Communication Studies-Theatre Arts-Performance (Acting and Directing) Emphasis

The emphasis in Performance (Acting and Directing) 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 emphasis 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 and or Orchesis Dance Ensemble. Students, outside of the major, are also invited to participate in these organizations.

The Mission and Goals of the Department of Communication Studies, Theatre, & Dance 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.

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