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Communication Arts |
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The Communication Arts Curriculum began to offer courses leading to the Associate degree in Communication Arts in the Spring of 1993. The program is non-select and allows students to pursue one of two options: Speech Communication or Theatre Arts. Historically, about an equal number of students have selected each option. The Communication Arts program has grown considerably since its inception, from 23 students to approximately 280.
The major goal of the Curriculum is to prepare graduates for transfer. Courses are structured to parallel work that would be accomplished during the first two years at a four-year institution. There are currently seven institutions with whom we have two-plus-two transfer agreements. These institutions are Temple University, Neumann College, LaSalle University, Saint Joseph’s University, Arcadia College, Cabrini College, and Drexel University. These agreements assure that a student with an acceptable grade point average will be granted acceptance into a program with all credits transferring.
The Communication Arts Curriculum is a non-select program. To some extent, the design of the Curriculum resembles a wheel with two spokes. At the hub are program core courses, general education courses, and certain directed electives. They reflect a liberal arts base, with a general emphasis on communication arts. Each spoke (option) branches into a cluster of courses unique to the discipline of either speech or theatre.
The curriculum requires three core courses as the first courses taken in the program in order to provide all Communication Arts students with a common general exposure to communication arts. These three courses include one in theatre, English 137 - Introduction to Theatre; one in mass media, English 107 - Society and Mass Communication; and one in speech, English 115 - Public Speaking. This approach provides a foundation that serves to help students decide which Curriculum option might be best for them: some might wish to major in speech, others in theatre, and others some form of mass communication after transferring to a four-year institution. The balance of the Curriculum is built on this communication arts foundation.
Forty-five of the sixty-one credits (75%) required for a degree in Communication Arts are in general education courses. Each option requires six credits in literature. Required general education courses include English 101 and 102, at least six credits of math or science, at least three credits in a social science, three credits in microcomputer applications, and six credits of further studies in the humanities. Directed electives include at least three credits in a selection of courses in the social sciences and at least six credits of courses related to the option of study.
Speech Communications Option: In addition to 45 credits of general education courses, a student in the Speech Option is expected to take English 114 -Introduction to Speech Communication and English 116 - Interpersonal Communication. The student may be encouraged to take English 120 -Voice and Articulation. Coupled with an additional six hours of work in the humanities, students gain a firm foundation in speech arts. The work of a Speech graduate will require a basic knowledge of research design and methodology. Speech students are, therefore, required to take six to eight credits each of Math 150 and above, as well as two science courses.
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The Communication Arts Curriculum began to offer courses leading to the Associate degree in Communication Arts in the Spring of 1993. The program is non-select and allows students to pursue one of two options: Speech Communication or Theatre Arts. Historically, about an equal number of students have selected each option. The Communication Arts program has grown considerably since its inception, from 23 students to approximately 280. |
Theatre OptionA student in the Theatre Option is required to take both English 131 and English 132 - Acting I and Acting II; English 135 - Movement and Dance for Actors; and English 141 - Technical Theatre. In addition, students may elect to enroll in English 142 - Rehearsal and Performance. Building upon the required core introductory theatre courses, the student graduates with a well-rounded education in theatre. Since much of the work of theatre must be experienced firsthand, vehicles such as readers’ theatre and dramatic productions are regularly utilized.
The Communication Arts program uses multiple pedagogical strategies to provide instruction for our students. The majority of course work provides students with a theoretical basis in communication and performance and guides them through specific exercises which enable them to plan, implement and evaluate their presentations. Both speech and theatre students are provided with multiple opportunities for performance activities, including speeches, acting scenes, and dance pieces. Students present their work and receive important feedback from faculty and peers.
Learning opportunities in the Curriculum are progressively structured. For example, in English 114 - Introduction to Speech Communication, students learn the theoretical basis for speech communication. This knowledge is applied in English 115 - Public Speaking. In the theatre option, three acting courses are offered: (1) English 131- Acting 1, where students learn to use their voices and bodies, study improvisational theatre, begin studying character development and script analysis, and perform a monologue and dialogue: (2) English 132 - Acting II, where students undertake a more intensive study of scripts and characterization, performing multiple scenes; and (3) English 142 - Rehearsal and Performance, where students perform a major role in a full-length production.
The Curriculum provides several other important modes of instruction: guest artists’ and speakers’ presentations; student participation in debates on serious policy issues; small group activities to prepare both debates and acting scenes; individual scene coach for acting students; writing and discussing plays attended at professional theatres; and videotape recording and critical review of recorded performance. |
AwardsThe Communication Arts program sponsors the Adele Poses Magner Memorial Award and the Daphne Nichols Herbert Award in the Communication Arts. Students present either speeches or dramatic monologues in a juried competition for these awards. Three prizes are offered for the best speech and three for the best dramatic performance.
ProductionsEach semester the Theatre option presents a major production. Student performers are enrolled in English 142, Rehearsal and Performance, or may audition for a role. Students in English 141, Technical Theatre, design and create sets, props, and costumes for the production. |