Department of Communication and Theatre

Master of Arts in Speech Communication, Organizational Communication and Master of Arts in Theatre

Required for All Students

SPCH 601	Introduction to Research in 
		Speech and Drama			3 cr

For Theatre Degree
THEA 641	Seminar in Drama Theory			3 cr
THEA 642	Seminar in Drama Theory			3 cr

For a Speech Communication Degree
SPCH 630	Seminar in Rhetorical/Communication
                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

A minimum of 30 credits. One to six credits may be thesis credits.

Exam Option (Theatre degree only)

A minimum of 30 credits and an oral and written examination.

Degree Paper Option

A minimum of 32 credits and three degreepapers. Two credits may be degree paper credits.

Mass Communication Graduate Courses

M C g431 Teaching High School Journalism 2 credits. Current high school journalism practices. Includes newspapers, broadcast, advertising, photography as appropriate. Emphasis is on applying the content of other journalism courses in the high school.

M C g452 Mass Communication and Society 3 credits. Media and audiences as they relate to freedom, censorship, public opinion, propaganda, public affairs, crime and violence and other social phenomena under different forms of government. PREREQ: JUNIOR STANDING OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

M C g460 Corporate Video Production 3 credits. Producing for corporate, educational, home video, documentary and other non-fiction markets. Advanced production techniques. Major project required. PREREQ: M C 360 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

Speech Communication Graduate Courses

SPCH g408 Communication Theory 3 credits. Examines models of social science and how these contribute to the development of communication theory. Examines a variety of communication theories in interpersonal, small group, organizational contexts. Focus on history of theory development in communication.

SPCH g436 Rhetorical Criticism 3 credits. Study and application of various theories and methods of rhetorical criticism including Aristotelian and Burkeian principles.

SPCH g437 Rhetorical Theory 3 credits. Principal rhetorical theories from the Greeks through the 18th century and contemporary American theorists; writings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero,Quintilian, Campbell, Blair, Whately, and Burke arestressed.

SPCH 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.

SPCH 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.

SPCH g442 American Rhetoric and PublicAddress 3 credits. Has a dual purpose: to studytheimpact of rhetoric (oral and written persuasion) onmajor events in American history; examine great speakers and rhetorical documents in their historical context.

SPCH g447 Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill 3 credits. Rhetorical theory and practice of these influential leaders and the impact of their persuasion. Topics include Hitler's oratory, Nazi propaganda, and Churchill's World War speeches.

SPCH 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).

SPCH 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.

SPCH 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.

SPCH 601 Introduction to Research in Speech and Drama 3 credits.

SPCH 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.

SPCH 650 Thesis 1-6 credits.

SPCH 660 Graduate Degree Papers 2 credits.

SPCH 691 Independent Study in Speech
1-4 credits.

Organizational Communication Graduate Courses

SPCH 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.

SPCH 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.

SPCH 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.

SPCH 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.

SPCH 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.

SPCH 601 Introduction to Research in Speech and Drama 3 credits.

SPCH 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.

SPCH 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.

SPCH 650 Thesis 1-6 credits.

SPCH 660 Graduate Degree Papers 2 credits.

SPCH 691 Independent Study in Speech 1-4 credits.

Theatre Graduate Courses

THEA 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 INSTRUCTOR.

THEA 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 INSTRUCTOR.

THEA g323 Stage Costume History and Design 3 credits. Study of clothing history and costume design from ancient times to 1800.

THEA g328 Stage Costume History and Design 3 credits. Clothing history and costume design from 1800 to modern times.

THEA 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.

THEA 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.

THEA g419 Modern European Theatre 3 credits. Continental and British theatre and drama from 1850 to mid-twentieth century. PREREQ: THEA 101 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

THEA g420 American Theatre 3 credits. American theatre and drama from the beginning to mid-twentieth century. PREREQ: THEA 221 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

THEA 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.

THEA 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.

THEA 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 INSTRUCTOR.

THEA 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.

THEA 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 INSTRUCTOR.

THEA g470 Contemporary Theatre 3 credits. World drama and theatre during the two most recent decades. PREREQ: THEA 101 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.

THEA g490 Practicum Theatre Arts 4 credits. Integrated projects for advanced students in various areas of theatre arts emphasizing analysis and presentation of experimental work.

THEA g491 Independent Research Projects 1-2 credits. Under the supervision of the drama faculty, students will undertake special research projects in theatre.

THEA 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.

THEA 641 Seminar in Drama Theory 3 credits.

THEA 642 Seminar in Drama Theory 3 credits.

THEA 650 Thesis 1-6 credits.

THEA 660 Graduate Degree Papers 2 credits.

THEA 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.

We welcome your input, so please send comments or suggestions to: webmaster@isu.edu

Revised: May 1, 1996

URL http://www.isu.edu/academic-info/prev-isu-cat/grad96/artsci/theadept.html