The following programs are currently available from the department:

1.      Communication and Media Minor. CATA 101, at least one semester hour of workshop credit, plus completion of Communication concentration.

2.    Theatre Minor. CATA 101, at least one semester hour of workshop credit, plus completion of Theatre concentration 

101G. Fundamentals of Communications. A practice-oriented introduction to the forms of speech, including interpersonal, small-group, and public communication. Offered each semester. (Three credits.)

124. Communications: Workshops. Staff-supervised participation in communications. Open to all students. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit. CR/NC. (One credit.)

125. Print Media: Workshops. An introduction to the print media, covering the basic elements of journalism. Students will participate as staff reporters on the Oracle, the college’s student newspaper. Open to all students. May be repeated for credit. (Also English 126.) CR/NC. (One credit.)

126. Electronic Media: Workshops. Staff-supervised participation in electronic media. Open to all students. May be repeated for credit. CR/NC. (One credit.)

127G. Theater Arts: Workshops. Staff-supervised participation in theater arts. Open to all students. May be repeated for credit. CR/NC. (One credit.)

171G. Introduction to Theater and Cinema Appreciation. A course designed to give the beginning student a critical platform on which to base his or her own evaluation of plays and films. Selected reading of play scripts, film scenarios, and general criticism is supplemented by planned viewing experiences in both art forms. Offered each year. (Three credits.)

173G. Introduction to Technical Theater. A study of the basic elements of technical theater, including stagecraft, lighting, properties, and makeup. Includes laboratory. Offered each year. (Three credits.)

175G. Beginning Acting. An introduction to the art and history of stage acting combined with practical exercises and performances of short scenes. (Three credits.)

224. Communications: Advanced Workshops. A continuation of Communication and Theater Arts 124 with advanced work and/or a position of responsibility in communications. Primarily for upper-class majors. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 124, sophomore standing and consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (Two credits.)

225. Print Media: Advanced Workshops. A continuation of Communication and Theater Arts 125 with advanced journalism work and individual study with the instructor. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 125 or consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (Also English 226.) (Two credits.)

226. Electronic Media: Advanced Workshops. A continuation of Communication and Theater Arts 126 with advanced work and/or a position of responsibility in electronic media. Primarily for upperclass majors. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 126 or consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (Two credits.)

227. Theater Arts: Advanced Workshops. A continuation of Communication and Theater Arts 127 with advanced work and/or a position of responsibility in theater arts. Primarily for upperclass majors. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 127 or consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (Two credits.)

230.  Introduction to Communication Studies.  An introduction to the breadth of the field of communication studies (including media and theatre arts) through the examination of historical and contemporary communication theories.  Acquaints students with general, thematic, and contextual theories of human communication to provide a more thorough understanding of communication processes in multiple contexts (interpersonal, small group, organizational, public performance, mass, and cultural). Gives attention to application of theory in practical settings and criteria for evaluating theories. Offered each year.  Prerequisite:  Communication and Theater Arts 101 (Three credits.)

231. Interpersonal Communications. An examination of the verbal and nonverbal features of face-to-face communication in everyday life, social interaction, professional activity, and in our culture as a whole. Attention is given to language as a cultural system and as a meaning system, communication as behavior, relationship development, and communication systems and effects. Emphasis is placed on understanding theory, systematically observing communicative behavior, analysis of communication situations, and skill improvement. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: Speech Communication and Theater Arts 101. (Three credits.)

233. Advanced Public Speaking. A performance-oriented course focusing upon the preparation and presentation of public messages. Includes classical and contemporary rhetorical theory, models of successful speakers, various forms of presentation (informative, persuasive, and entertaining), and directions for practice. Offered each year. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 101 or consent of the instructor. (Three credits.)

235. Small Group Communication. A study of task-oriented, small-group communication emphasizing effective organization, participation, and leadership. Methods of correcting specific problems that may hinder small groups are explored. Includes opportunities to participate in and analyze small-group interaction. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 101. (Three credits.)

261. Mass Media and Modern Society. An inquiry into the mass media of our time (print, film, radio, television, etc.), including study of the forces which created them and the effects they have on society. Special attention is given to theories of mass communication and the medium of television. Offered each year. (Three credits.)

263. Radio and Television Production. A survey of the historical development of and operational and management trends within broadcasting combined with practical training (e.g. announcing techniques, handling of cameras and switching equipment, editing, program planning. Prerequisite: Communication and Theatre Arts 261 or consent of the instructor. (Three credits.)

265. Writing for the Electronic Media. A broadcast media writing course providing practical experience in the creation of commercial and noncommercial materials for radio, television, and new media. (Three credits.)

273G. The Classical Theater. A survey of Western theater from ancient Greece to 1800. Emphasizes the evolution of dramatic literature, production elements, theater architecture, and audience composition. Offered in alternate years. (Three credits.)

275G. The Modern Theater. A survey of Western theater from 1800 to the present. Emphasizes the evolution of dramatic literature, production elements, theater architecture, and audience composition. Offered in alternate years. (Three credits.)

294. Special Topics. Communications. (Three credits.)

295. Special Topics. Print Media. (Three credits.)

296. Special Topics. Electronic Media. (Three credits.)

297. Special Topics. Theater. (Three credits.)

321. Junior Colloquium.  An examination of the interrelationships of communication, media, and theatre.  An opportunity to prepare and present projects, and to interact with current practitioners.  Includes analysis and preparation of student portfolios.  Individual and/or small group study.  May include independent research, creative projects.  Will include an overview of new/emerging issues facing CATA graduates, as well as career analysis and preparation.  Meets con-currently with CATA 421 (Senior Colloquium). Seniors serve as junior mentors. (One credit).

333. Organizational Communication. An analysis of organizational communication theories and methods and study of organizational climate, motivation and leadership, and patterns of miscommunication within organizations. Includes practice in forms of communication used in business. Offered each year. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 101 and Junior standing or by permission of the instructor. (Four credits.)

335. Argumentation. An introduction to how logical arguments are structured and analyzed. Includes development of abilities in composing logically valid messages and avoiding fallacies. Emphasis is placed on what makes arguments strong and effective. Portions of the course will be devoted to how arguments are used in various fields (e.g., law, journalism, science, history, or politics). Frequent in-class, written and oral practice will occur. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 101 and Communication and Theater Arts 230 or 233, or Government 101, 103 or 200, or by permission of instructor. (Three credits.)

337. Communication Criticism. A study of various critical perspectives and methods as applied to a variety of different communication texts, including public speeches, plays, films, and television news broadcasts. Emphasis is placed on enhancing critical thinking skills as well as on writing and articulating persuasive arguments. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 101 and 230. (Three credits.)

339. Persuasion. A study of the classic concepts of persuasion in relation to modern theories of how people effect changes in others’ beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. Includes opportunities to prepare and present persuasive efforts. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 101 and 230 or 265. (Three credits.)

365. Media Production. A study of contemporary electronic communication technology. Aplications include website design and maintenance, the creation and implementation of multimedia projects (audio, video, graphics). Combines application of communication theory with practice in developing successful projects. Prerequisite: Communication and Theatre Arts 101. (Four credits.)

373. Advanced Acting. A study in vocal production and development (including dialects), work in a variety of acting styles. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Communication and Theatre Arts 175, or by permission of instructor. (Three credits.)

375. Scenery and Lighting Design. A study of the basic elements of scenery and lighting design. Combines readings in design theory with practice in drafting, plotting, rendering, and model building. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisite: Communication and Theater Arts 173, or by permission of instructor (Three credits.)

377. Principles of Stage Directing. A study of the practical and theoretical elements of directing for the serious student of performance. Readings in theory are combined with exercises in analysis, pictorial composition, movement, and production organization. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisites: Junior standing and Communication and Theater Arts 171, 173, 175, or 375. (Three credits.)

394. Seminar: Communication. A seminar centered on a problem or topic as announced before each offering. Designed for juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (Three credits.)

395. Seminar: Print Media. A seminar centered on a problem or topic as announced before each offering. Designed for juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (Three credits.)

396. Seminar: Electronic Media. A seminar centered on a problem or topic as announced before each offering. Designed for juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (Three credits.)

397. Seminar: Theater. A seminar centered on a problem or topic as announced before each offering. Designed for juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. May be repeated for credit. (Three credits.)

421. Senior Colloquium. An examination of the interrelationships of communication, media, and theatre.  An opportunity to prepare and present projects, and to interact with current practitioners.  Includes analysis and preparation of student portfolios.  Individual and/or small group study.  May include independent research, creative projects.  Will include an overview of new/emerging issues facing CATA graduates, as well as career analysis and preparation.  Meets con-currently with CATA 321 (Junior Colloquium). Seniors serve as junior mentors. (One credit).

431. Methods of Teaching Communication and Theater Arts. A detailed study of the special problems that face the secondary-school teacher of Communication. Includes special attention to the development of criticism of oral assignments and the operation and organization of cocurricular activities in speech and theater. Offered as needed. Co-prerequisite: Education 340. (Three credits.)

490. Independent Study. A faculty-directed program of individual study consisting of reading, research, or creative performance. May be repeated for credit. (One to six credits.)

491. Seminar: Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics. A study of the foundations of freedom of expression and communication ethics in our society. Major historical documents pertaining to the freedom of communication and the moral and ethical base of communication will be reviewed. The continuing tension between artistic freedom and censorship will also be examined. Historical materials will be applied to current points of contention in the arts, business, media, and politics. Culminating experience required of all majors. Offered each year. Prerequisite: Senior Communication and theater arts major or minor, or consent of the instructor. (Three credits.)

494. Internship in Communications. An experience designed to allow the student to use in the field concepts and ideas developed during major study and to help prepare the student for employment. Prerequisites: Junior standing and prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit. (Three to nine credits.)

495. Internship in Print Media. An experience designed to allow the student to use in the field concepts and ideas developed during major study and to help prepare the student for employment. Prerequisites: Junior standing and prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit. (Three to nine credits.)

496. Internship in Electronic Media. An experience designed to allow the student to use in the field concepts and ideas developed during major study and to help prepare the student for employment. Prerequisites: Junior standing and prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit. (Three to nine credits.) 

497. Internship in Theater Arts. An experience designed to allow the student to use in the field concepts and ideas developed during major study and to help prepare the student for employment. Prerequisites: Junior standing and prior approval of the department. May be repeated for credit. (Three to nine credits.)