Program Description

Communication (and Media) Major Goals

• Students will prepare for careers (or graduate school) in public communication, business or media-related fields
• Media students will acquire solid background in communication
• Communication students will use technical skills involved with the media field
• By graduation student majors will be able to design effective messages for a variety of purposes, have developed substantial knowledge of the communication discipline, be able to apply their knowledge in a wide range of practical applications and have become skillful communicators in oral, written and mediated forms.

Progressive Development

• Lower level courses focus on development of communication skills.
• Middle level courses encourage the application of theory and research to practical and professional experiences, as well as introduce students to the technical aspects of communication.
• Upper level students put it all together by studying Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics, completing internships or independent studies and developing a portfolio showcasing their skills and accomplishments.

Hands-on Experience

• Both internship and advanced independent seminars are highly encouraged
• Majors and non-majors can utilize the campus radio station (WMCR), the college newspaper (The Courier) and the campus television station (MCTV)
• Substantial in-class writing, discussion, presentations and projects occurs at all levels of course work.
• Professional experience may be gained in several areas:
  • radio
  • television
  • journalism
  • public relations
  • business communication

Theater Major
We offer theater as an separate major within the Communication and Theatre Arts Department. Course work and performance are planned so as to allow movement into professional and community theatre, teacher certification, graduate school, or the general communication job market. Many chances to work in Theater and other areas of public performance exists. Theater at Monmouth offers significant advantages. It is not uncommon for freshmen to act in two shows, even to have lead roles. All Theater design is done via computer-aided drafting. All majors direct a one-act play; most have additional experience directing or designing full-length productions. Crimson Masque (Drama Club) members organize workshops, attend area productions and participate in state-wide festivals. Crimson Masque is one of the largest student groups on campus.

Equipment/Facilities
The Wells Theater, built in 1990, is a state-of-the-art facility. It features computerized lighting control, a counterweighted fly system, large scenic and costume shops, a design lab with a CAD system and plotter, and computerized front-of-house operations.

Our all-digital state of the art cable television studio is a versatile facility with stage, lighting and equipment for producing newscasts and variety shows. The programming is broadcast through a campus-wide cable television station which is supervised by the CATA department.  Video and audio production as well as graphics and web design are supported by a departmental computer lab with a full range of digital editing and standard office software.

The radio station is a fully operational, student-operated campus station. WMCR is broadcast through the campus cable system in FM stereo. It can be listened to through a television receiver or a hi fi stereo system. Because it is on-campus only, it is not regulated /controlled by the FCC, which permits greater flexibility in the training and programming provided - a big advantage over educational FM licensed stations. The station has two professionally equipped audio broadcast studios, one "on-air" and one for production and laboratory work. The studio equipment used is very similar to that of a commercial studio. WMCR has a large music library of classic rock and a CD collection of recent rock, rap, reggae and other music - all available for use at the station or to be checked out.

Off-campus Programs
Many CATA majors have profited from the ACM Chicago Studies programs - Urban Studies, Arts and Business. The internship opportunities in Chicago are excellent, giving students the chance to work in major corporate, government, arts or media settings.   Study in Perth, Scotland has become increasingly popular with Communication students, especially those interested in media or international careers.

Many students serve internships with local theater and arts groups, or in larger operations, such as Goodman Theater in Chicago. Local radio and TV stations routinely accept Monmouth student interns as do local government and development agencies, service providers and for-profit businesses.

Independent Study
Students regularly do independent study projects in areas such as CAD, directing, playwriting and TV production or by doing research aimed at preparation for graduate school.

Graduate School Opportunities
In the last few years, a substantial number of our graduates have pursued post-graduate training primarily in speech communication and law at schools such as: University of Illinois, University of Michigan, Illinois State University, DePaul, St. Louis University, Northern Illinois, Western Illinois and the University of Iowa.  Areas of specialty in graduate school include communication theory, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, media studies and communication education.

Students who choose to pursue post-graduate study in the communication fields can usually attend tuition free.  This is possible because, at research universities, large numbers of undergraduates need to take introductory communication courses such as public speaking or interpersonal communication.  These courses are taught by graduate student teaching assistants (unlike Monmouth where full-time faculty do the teaching) who typically receive free tuition plus a living allowance.  In many communication graduate programs, all admitted students receive free tuition.

Communication Major
A major in Communication consists of 36 semester hours, including:

• COMM 101 Fundamentals of Communication

• COMM 100/200 Workshop credit (3 semester hours)

• COMM 230 Introduction to Communication Studies

• COMM 261 Mass Media and Modern Society

• COMM 321 Junior Colloquium

• COMM 421 Senior Colloquium

• COMM 491 Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics

Theatre Major
A major in Theater Arts consists of 40 semester hours, including:

Teacher Certification
Those majors working toward secondary teacher certification should confer as early as possible with the Director of Theatre and the chair of the Education Department to ensure that their program will meet state standards. (Note: Secondary certification in a "primary teaching field" requires a minimum of 32 semester hours.) A second teaching field in a related area of study is recommended. 

Communication and Theater Arts Minors
The following programs are currently available from the department for students who are not seeking a major is Communication and Theater Arts:

1. Communication Minor.

• COMM 101 Fundamentals of Communication

• COMM 100/200 Workshop credit (1 semester hour)

• COMM 233 Advanced Public Speaking

2. Media Minor.

• COMM 101 Fundamentals of Communication

• COMM 100/200 Workshop credit (1 semester hour)

• COMM 261 Mass Media and Modern Society

• COMM 263 Radio and Television Production

• COMM 363 Media and Public Relations Writing

• COMM 365 Media Production

3. Theater Minor.

Career Paths

A THEA Major may lead to work in the professional theater (highly competitive), teaching, and arts management and promotion among many possibilities.  It can also be an excellent preparation for a career in business, advertising or law.