Department of Communication Studies

FACULTY

DAVID F. DEESE, Coordinator, Department of Communication Studies, Assistant Professor of Broadcasting and Communication, 1979—
BA, Trevecca Nazarene University, 1969; MS, Tennessee State University, 1983.

GARY R. FARMER, Assistant Professor of Communication, 2002—
BA, Oral Roberts University, 1982; MA, Regent University, 1995.

JEFFREY D. FRAME, Associate Professor of Drama and Communication, 1990—
BA, Eastern Nazarene College, 1985; MA, Emerson College, 1988.

J. DOUGLAS LEPTER, Professor of Communication, 1992—
BA, Eastern Nazarene College, 1972; MA, Eastern Nazarene College, 1973; ThM, Asbury Theological Seminary, 1990;
PhD, University of Kentucky, 1996.

LENA HEGI WELCH, Chair, Division of Communication, Language, and Literature; Professor of Communication, 1988—
BA, Trevecca Nazarene University, 1981; MA, Auburn University, 1983; EdD, Trevecca Nazarene University, 2005.

Department of Communication Studies General Information

The Department of Communication Studies offers broad training in the general area of human communication. The curriculum provides considerable flexibility and is designed to fit a variety of student needs and career interests. There are seven specialized majors which lead to the Bachelor's degree: 1) Dramatic Arts, 2) Theatre Education, 3) Interpersonal Communication, 4) Organizational Communication, 5) Mass Communication, 6) Broadcast Technology, and 7) Speech Communication Education. The Department also offers a Bachelor's degree in the general "Communication Studies" major consisting of courses selected from the specialized programs listed above. This Communication Studies major allows students to tailor their study to individual career goals.

In addition to classroom course offerings, practical experience can be achieved through internships and individualized instruction in the bachelor degree programs.

Mission Statement and Learning Objectives for Department Academic Majors

Communication Studies

Mission Statement

The Communication Studies major seeks to provide graduates with a general yet comprehensive academic foundation in the study of human communication. The major is a hybrid departmental curriculum which allows students to selectively choose the most suitable courses from across the department's program offerings to meet their individualized educational objectives.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a Communication Studies major will be able to:

1. Possess knowledge suitable for employment in a career requiring communication skills.
2. Conduct a primary research project demonstrating either qualitative or quantitative research skills.
3. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
4. Demonstrate knowledge necessary for admission into graduate school in communication.

Dramatic Arts

Mission Statement

The Dramatic Arts major seeks to prepare graduates with a broad understanding of theatre to succeed professionally in educational, community, and/or professional theatre venues and/or to succeed in graduate theatre programs.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a Dramatic Arts major will be able to:

1. Begin graduate studies or a career in or directly related to professional theatre.
2. Critically assess a theatre production's relative merits and weaknesses within the global contexts of artistic expression and spiritual significance.
3. Satisfy proficiently at least ONE of the basic collaborative roles for the production of a play that is at least one-act in length, or longer. The roles graduates may choose from are: director of the play, performer in a major character role of the play; author of the script; lighting designer of the play; scene designer of the play; or costume designer of the play.

Theatre Education

The Theatre Education major is described in the Teacher Education Program section of the Catalog.

Interpersonal Communication

Mission Statement

The Interpersonal Communication major seeks to prepare graduates with skills such as listening, empathy, trust, and conflict management that are critical to effective leadership and service.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates with an Interpersonal Communication major will be able to:

1. Demonstrate skills necessary for employment in a career requiring interpersonal communication skills.
2. Give a proficient formal presentation.
3. Identify a major theorist in the discipline of interpersonal communication.
4. Possess knowledge necessary for admission into a graduate program in communication.
5. Understand the role and nature of communication in interpersonal relationships.

Organizational Communication

Mission Statement

The Organizational Communication major seeks to prepare graduates who can study the role of messages, meanings, and information flow in and between organizations and are prepared for employment in corporations and non-profit organizations.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates with an Organizational Communication major will be able to:

1. Exhibit skills necessary for employment in a career requiring organizational communication skills.
2. Identify a major theorist in the discipline of organizational communication.
3. Demonstrate skills in oral, written, and relational communication, along with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
4. Possess knowledge required for admission into graduate study in communication.

Mass Communication

Mission Statement

The Mass Communication major seeks to prepare graduates who have broad-based understanding of mass communication that will prepare them to succeed in management and operations positions (such as camera operators, disc jockeys, editors, news reporter, sales account executives, traffic log management, and on-camera personalities) in radio, television, and film.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a Mass Communication major will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a strong understanding of the written and spoken word.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the operational requirements of a radio or television broadcast station.
3. Produce an acceptable radio program (for radio concentration graduates) or video (for television and film concentration graduates).
4. Exhibit skills necessary for employment in the radio, television, or film industry.
5. Possess knowledge required for admission into graduate study in mass communication.

Broadcast Technology

Mission Statement

The Broadcast Technology major seeks to prepare graduates with the theoretical and practical knowledge required for technical support of broadcast and telecommunications facilities.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a Broadcast Technology major will be able to:

1. Demonstrate their ability to obtain employment in at least an entry level position in the capacity of radio or television engineering.
2. Show knowledge of the basic functional system blocks for a broadcast facility.
3. Effectively communicate with written reports.
4. Demonstrate a knowledge of FCC rules and regulations.
5. Determine equipment needs for broadcast facilities.

Speech Communication Education

The Speech Communication Education major is described in the Teacher Education Program section of the Catalog.

BA or BS in Communication Studies

This program provides a broad–based study of human communication. The course of study is designed by the student with the advisor's consent. Students whose programs consist primarily of dramatic arts and public speaking courses will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree while those who concentrate in Interpersonal, Organizational, and Mass Communication will be awarded the Bachelor of Science degree.

The remaining 21 hours are to be taken from courses offered by the department. At least 17 of the total 34 hours in the major must be upper–division (3000 and 4000 level) courses.

Dramatic Arts BA

The Dramatic Arts program provides opportunity for study of and participation in educational, community, or professional theatre. Learning occurs not only in classroom settings but also through actual experiences in every phase of dramatic production. The program is designed to integrate personal Christian faith and belief with the goals and aim of drama.

Co-Curricular Requirements for Dramatic Arts Majors and Minors

The TNU Department of Communication Studies supports and directs a required co-curricular program for all dramatic arts majors and minors to supplement classroom theory, to encourage students to receive practical training through participation, and to benefit the University and surrounding communities.

The TNU Dramatic Arts Program presents 3-4 major dramatic productions during the academic year. Students majoring and minoring in dramatic arts must participate in 20 hours of some aspect of each production for 6 semesters at TNU. The semesters during which participation occurs do not need to be consecutive. Participation is open to all members of the University and local community. Likewise, dramatic arts majors and minors must attend all senior project presentations each year.

Senior Project Requirements for Dramatic Arts Majors

All senior Dramatic Arts majors are required (either in the fall or spring semester by choice) to present a performance project which will be open to the general public. Projects must include a pre-production prospectus, a performance component (acting, directing, design, etc.). The project should relate to the student's specialized interest in the field, demonstrate his or her acquired skills, and be academically and vocationally beneficial as a culminative experience. (All dramatic arts majors and minors are required to attend the projects of seniors.) Seniors will receive one (1) or two (2) credits for the senior project. The number of credits received is contingent upon the number of hours given to the project [40+ hours for one (1) credit, 80+ hours for two (2) credits].

Theatre Education BA (K-12 Licensure)

The Theatre Education major is described in the Teacher Education Program section of the Catalog.

Interpersonal Communication BS

The Interpersonal Communication major exists to prepare students to be effective and empathetic in their personal and professional lives. The curriculum emphasizes the development of interpersonal communication skills, such as listening, empathy, trust, and conflict management that are critical to effective leadership and service.

Organizational Communication BS

The purpose of the Organizational Communication major is to study the role of messages, meanings, and information flow in and between organizations. Students majoring in Organizational Communication will consider both the theoretical and applied analyses of the role of communication in the functioning of complex organizations. The major encourages students to develop skills in oral, written, and relational communication, along with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Through classwork and internship opportunities, students sharpen their communication skills and prepare for employment in corporations and non-profit organizations.

Mass Communication BS

A general orientation to mass media is provided through the Mass Communication program. The curriculum specifically emphasizes radio and television broadcasting and applied journalism in this area. The radio concentration is conducted in conjunction with the training offered in the operation of the university–owned, radio station WNAZ–FM 89.1 and the AM stereo radio station WENO. The television concentration is enhanced by training in the campus-owned television studio in Waggoner Library. A Film Studies Concentration is available through the Los Angeles Film Studies Center (contingent upon the student's acceptance into the LAFSC program).

* Will satisfy the core requirements of COM 3850, 4510, and 4800.

Broadcast Technology BS

This program provides the theoretical and practical knowledge required for technical support of broadcast and telecommunications facilities. The curriculum includes a physics component that primarily centers on both digital and analog electronics, plus radio frequency technology. A proficiency in mathematics is required and upper division math courses are included as part of the degree. The program is designed to prepare the student for certification by the broadcast industry and a career in broadcast technology management.

General Education requirements in Natural Science, Math, and Computer Literacy are replaced by required courses for the major.

Speech Education BS (7-12 Licensure)

The Speech Education major is described in the Teacher Education Program section of the Catalog.

Communication Studies Minors

Communication Course Descriptions

DRAMATIC ARTS

COM 1000—Production Participation and Project Attendance (0)

Required of all dramatic arts majors and minors for six (6) semesters. To receive a passing grade, students are to participate in 20 hours of some aspect of production work for each of the productions planned during the six semesters that are chosen by the student. Graded S/U. Note: No credit is given and no tuition is charged.

COM 2250—Performance Studies (3)

Designed to invite students into a richer understanding of the performing arts, as well as other Western and non-Western performative experiences in physical human expression, both past and present. Special focus is given to major world events in the historical development of our performance traditions (particularly in theatre and dance), styles of textual representation in the performing arts--from classical to contemporary, and the dialectical relationship between performance and culture.

COM 2350—Creative Drama (3)

Course not concerned with play production, acting, or any of the theatrical entertainment aspects of drama. It focuses on drama used solely as a therapeutic and educational tool in the classroom. Participants will focus on creative leadership and teaching strategies that include the following: conflict resolution through drama, critical thinking and life skills development, historical re-enactment techniques in social studies, "teacher-in-role" role playing, imagination exploration, values through game–playing, creative drama for special needs, and drama–in–education techniques for creatively teaching all subjects.

COM 2450—Drama as a Ministry (3)

A course designed to expose students to the variety of dramatic experiences and expressions which may be incorporated into Christian ministry. Through the study of drama as an art form in relation to theology, worship, Christian education, and personal spiritual development, students are prepared and encouraged to become practitioners of drama ministry.

COM 2950—Script Analysis (1)

A detailed study of the basic tools and approaches necessary for reading and interpreting stage scripts before directing, acting, or design processes can effectively begin. (All dramatic arts majors and minors, as well as all drama education majors, must take this course in their freshman year, with the exception of transfer students).

COM 3140—Acting: Theory and Practice (3)

An introductory workshop course focusing on beginning acting techniques and scene study. Initially students will explore the actors' instrument and use of space, relaxation, concentration, imagination, improvisation, mime, movement, and how to pursue an objective through physical and psychological actions. The students will then investigate and practice traditional approaches to scene analysis, character study, and performance.

COM 3170—Voice and Articulation (3)

Study of and practical experience in refining the vocal mechanism for general quality speech production. Includes intensive work with International Phonetic Alphabet and dialectology.

COM 3400—Theatre History and Dramatic Literature (3)

A comprehensive survey of representative plays from each period of theatre history, noting the reciprocal effects of production techniques on dramatic forms. Special emphasis is given to cultural and historical factors influencing the rise and fall of new dramatic forms and theatrical practices. Prerequisite: