Department of Communication and Theatre
Chairperson and Professor Loebs
Professors Bliesner, Blomquist
Associate Professors Dienstfrey, Frazier, House, Short,
Trinklein, Turner
Assistant Professors DiSanza
Hardy-Short, Jull
Master of Arts in Speech
Communication, Organizational Communication and Master of Arts in
Theatre
Required for All Students
SPCH 601 Introduction to Research 3 cr
in Speech and Drama
For Theatre DegreeTHEA 641 Seminar in Drama Theory 3 cr THEA 642 Seminar in Drama Theory 3 crFor a Speech Communication Degree
Theory 3 cr
For an Organizational Communication Degree
SPCH 635 Seminar in Organizational
Communication 3 cr
Students must select one of the following three options:
Thesis Option
g440 Gender and Communication 3 credits. Course examines
communication arenas from a perspective that focuses on gender
and includes study of similarities and differences in female/male
patterns. Topics include nonverbal, organizational, language,
family and friendship.
g441 Interpersonal Communication 3 credits. Largely theoretical
course, drawing from research in social sciences as well as
speech. Focuses on communication variables associated with
interpersonal communication including awareness of self/others,
nature/functions of language, nonverbal behavior, norms and
roles.
g442 American Rhetoric and Public Address 3 credits. Has a dual
purpose: to study the impact of rhetoric (oral and written
persuasion) on major events in American history; examine great
speakers and rhetorical documents in their historical context.
g447 Rhetoric of Hitler, Churchill and Lenin 3 credits.
Rhetorical theory and practice of these influential leaders and
the impact of their persuasion. Topics include Hitler's oratory,
Nazi propaganda, Churchill's wartime speeches, and Lenin's
rhetoric during the Bolshevik Revolution.
g451 Recent Rhetorical Issues 3 credits. Study of the rhetoric of
contemporary issues such as the Vietnam war, the Black
revolution, and other current political and social topics,
including the rhetoric of ongoing election campaigns (taught
alternate years).
g491 Independent Research Projects 1-2 credits. Under the
supervision of professors in the various areas of communication,
students will prepare reports and carry out projects designed to
promote professional growth.
597 Professional Education Development Topics. Variable credit.
May be repeated. A course for practicing professionals aimed at
the development and improvement of skills. May not be applied to
graduate degrees. May be graded S/U.
601 Introduction to Research in Speech and Drama 3 credits.
630 Seminar in Rhetorical/Communication Theory 3 credits.
In-depth study and analysis of selected rhetorical and/or
communication theories. See instructor for specific topics. May
be repeated once with permission of instructor.
650 Thesis 1-6 credits.
660 Graduate Degree Papers 2 credits.
691 Independent Study in Speech 1-4 credits.
Organizational
Communication
Graduate Courses
g441 Interpersonal Communication 3 credits. Largely theoretical
course, drawing from research in social sciences as well as
speech. Focuses on communication variables associated with
interpersonal communication including awareness of self/others,
nature/functions of language, nonverbal behavior, norms and
roles.
g452 Conflict Management 3 credits. Examines the dynamics of
everyday conflicts across a variety of settings, from personal to
organizational. Principles of conflict, similar across all
communicative contexts, are emphasized. Theory and its
applications are given equal importance.
g453 Organizational Communication 3 credits. Examines functions,
forms and patterns of communication in organizations as well as
effects of organizational structures and dynamics on
communication. Methods of evaluating communication policies and
practices as an aid to organizational management are studied.
g491 Independent Research Projects 1-2 credits. Under the
supervision of professors in the various areas of communication,
students will prepare reports and carry out projects designed to
promote professional growth.
597 Professional Education Development Topics. Variable credit.
May be repeated. A course for practicing professionals aimed at
the development and improvement of skills. May not be applied to
graduate degrees. May be graded S/U.
601 Introduction to Research in Speech and Drama 3 credits.
630 Seminar in Rhetorical/Communication Theory 3 credits.
In-depth study and analysis of selected rhetorical and/or
communication theories. See instructor for specific topics. May
be repeated once with permission of instructor.
635 Seminar in Organizational Communication 3 credits. In-depth
study and analysis of selected topics in organizational
communication. See instructor for specific topics. May be
repeated once with permission of instructor.
650 Thesis 1-6 credits.
660 Graduate Degree Papers 2 credits.
691 Independent Study in Speech 1-4 credits.
Theatre Graduate Courses
g313 Theatre Backgrounds I 3 credits. Study of the theatre and
drama from their origins through the Jacobean period. PREREQ:
THEA 101 or permission of the instructor.
g314 Theatre Backgrounds II 3 credits. Study of the theatre and
drama from the Spanish Golden Age through the "well-made play."
PREREQ: THEA 101 or permission of the instructor.
323 Stage Costume History and Design 3 credits. Study of clothing
history and costume design from ancient times to 1800.
g328 Stage Costume History and Design 3 credits. Clothing history
and costume design from 1800 to modern times.
g351 Problems in Acting 3 credits. Focuses on special acting
problems such as characterization, movement, voice, pantomime,
and film and television acting. Content varies from year to year.
May be repeated once with the consent of the instructor. PREREQ:
THEA 251, 252.
g412 Scenic Painting 3 credits. A study of painting techniques as
used in theatrical scenery; theory, practice,and equipment will
be investigated as they apply to the art of stage painting.
g419 Modern European Theatre 3 credits. Continental and British
theatre and drama from 1850 to mid-twentieth century. PREREQ:
THEA 101 or permission of the instructor.
g420 American Theatre 3 credits. American theatre and drama from
the beginning to mid-twentieth century. PREREQ: THEA 221 or
permission of the instructor.
g421 Basic Pattern Drafting for Stage Costuming 3 credits.
Cutting patterns from measurements. Adjusting various patterns to
designs. Alterations and fittings. PREREQ: THEA 221 or permission
of instructor.
g422 Period Pattern Drafting for Stage Costuming 3 credits. Use
of the basic patterns to reproduce historical costumes from the
12th century to 1950. PREREQ: THEA 221 or permission of
instructor.
g424 Advanced Acting Styles 3 credits. Study of the various
period styles of acting including Greek, Medieval, Elizabethan,
Restoration, and 19th century melodrama. The student will act in
a series of special projects encompassing a variety of styles.
PREREQ: THEA 355 or permission of the instructor.
g426 Scene Design 3 credits. Consideration of elements of design
and composition, light, and shadow and period styles as applied
to scenery for plays, musicals, ballet, and opera. Projects are
juried. PREREQ: THEA 111, 112, 209, 311 or permission of
instructor.
g456 Advanced Stage Direction 3 credits. Advanced theories in
techniques of stage direction including consideration of period
styles. The student will direct a series of advanced projects
including scenes and a full-length play. PREREQ: THEA 355 or
permission of the instructor.
g470 Contemporary Theatre 3 credits. World drama and theatre
during the two most recent decades. PREREQ: THEA 101 or
permission of the instructor.
g490 Practicum Theatre Arts 4 credits. Integrated projects for
advanced students in various areas of theatre arts emphasizing
analysis and presentation of experimental work.
g491 Independent Research Projects 1-2 credits. Under the
supervision of the drama faculty, students will undertake special
research projects in theatre.
597 Professional Education Development Topics. Variable credit.
May be repeated. A course for practicing professionals aimed at
the development and improvement of skills. May not be applied to
graduate degrees. May be graded S/U.
641 Seminar in Drama Theory 3 credits.
642 Seminar in Drama Theory 3 credits.
650 Thesis 1-6 credits.
660 Graduate Degree Papers 2 credits.
691 Independent Study in Drama 1-4 credits. Supervised
individual study in drama. Instructor's consent required. May be
repeated for a maximum of 4 credits.