Majors and minors in Communication and Theatre

L. Abed, J. Adams, M. Anthony, D. Bohmer, R. Dye, G. Fenlon, M. Finney, C. Good, T. Good, A. Hayes, K. Howley, G. Klinger, J. Lincoln, J. McCall, K. Menzel, J. Nichols-Pethick, D. Skoog, S. Timm (chair), S. Tremblay, S. Wilson, D. Worthington.

Students in Communication and Theatre study the process by which messages are devised and disseminated. Attention is given to the various roles and stages in the communication process. The contexts of communication, including rhetoric, interpersonal communication, media, and theatre, are analyzed and distinguished.

As a crossroads discipline, communication is studied from the humanities, artistic, and social science perspectives. The study of communication is built around a framework that allows for an understanding of theory, opportunity for criticism of messages and practice and research in the discipline.

Students study a wide range of communication areas, including rhetoric, interpersonal communication, media and theatre.

Communication students can apply their understanding of this vital process in a variety of fields, such as corporate communication, public relations, personnel, advertising, marketing, law, mass media, sales, public service and the performing arts.

Most communication students participate in co-curricular activities, such as debate, theatre (DePauw Theatre) and student mass media (WGRE-FM radio and D3TV cable access television).

Two majors and three minors are offered in Communication and Theatre.

Students preparing for secondary teaching: please review Section V, Teacher Education, and confer with the chair of the Education Department about requirements for admission and certification.

Requirements for a major in Theatre:

Total courses required: Nine
Core courses:
  • COMM 100, COMM 111, COMM 117, COMM 314, COMM 001 (0 credit)
    		•
    Other required courses:
  • One course in each of the other two areas (rhetoric/interpersonal and media studies) of the department
  • One course in rhetoric interpersonal from the following: COMM 125, COMM 223, COMM 224, COMM 227, COMM 322, COMM 323, COMM 326 or COMM 327
  • One course in media studies: either COMM 233 or COMM 237
  • One of the following two theatre courses: COMM 213 or COMM 214
  • One additional 300-level course from the following: COMM 310, COMM 311, COMM 316, COMM 317 or COMM 319 or a 300-level course in a related department with permission of the major advisor
    		•
    # 300 and 400 level courses: Three
    Senior requirement: Majors in Theatre must complete the senior seminar requirement by taking COMM 450 (Senior Seminar). Seniors majoring in theatre will be required to complete a theatre related project as part of their senior seminar. With the approval of the seminar instructor, this requirement can be fulfilled in any senior seminar in the department. Course work completed in meeting the senior requirement can be applied toward meeting the 300-400 level course requirement.
    Additional information:

    Requirements for a major in Communication:

    Total courses required: Nine
    Core courses: COMM 100
    Other required courses:
  • Students majoring in communication must take coursework in the three areas of the department (rhetoric and interpersonal communication, media studies and theatre).
  • To meet the theatre coursework requirement with only one course, students must take COMM 213, COMM 214 or COMM 314.
  • To meet the media studies coursework requirement with only one course, students must take COMM 233.
  • To meet the rhetoric and interpersonal coursework requirement with only one course, students can take one of the following: COMM 125, COMM 223, COMM 224, COMM 227, COMM 322, COMM 323, COMM 326 or COMM 327.
    		•
    # 300 and 400 level courses: Three
    Senior requirement: Majors must also successfully complete a senior requirement. The senior requirement can be met by successful completion of COMM 450 (Senior Seminar) or by taking COMM 350 (Communication Research Methods) followed by a senior project in COMM 491 (1/2 course credit). Coursework completed in meeting the senior requirement can be applied toward meeting the 300-400 level course requirement.
    Additional information:

    Requirements for a minor in Rhetoric and Interpersonal Communication:

    Total courses required: Four
    Core courses: COMM 223, COMM 224, COMM 322, COMM 326
    Other courses:
    # 300 and 400 level courses: Two

    Requirements for a minor in Theatre:

    Total courses required: Four
    Core courses: COMM 117
    Other courses:
  • COMM 111, COMM 210, or COMM 211
  • One course selected from COMM 213, COMM 214 or COMM 314
  • One course selected from COMM 310, COMM 311, COMM 314, COMM 316, COMM 317 or COMM 319.
    • # 300 and 400 level courses: One

    Requirements for a minor in Media:

    Total courses required: Five
    Core courses: COMM 233
    Other courses:
  • Three courses selected from COMM 235, COMM 236, COMM 332, COMM 334 or COMM 335
  • An elective from another area of the department.
    		•
    # 300 and 400 level courses: One