Communication and Performance Studies at NMU

Communication and Performance Studies Programs

Electronic Journalism

Electronic journalism is designed for the student seeking a career in the news industry.  Students in this major learn how to research, write, shoot, edit and produce news stories for the electronic media (radio, television and the Internet).  Students are also prepared for leadership and responsibility through study of communication ethics and law.  The coursework in this major is integrated with the daily "live" student produced newscast on WNMU-TV

Media Production and New Technology

Media production and new technology serves students interested in a wide variety of production careers such as music recording and corporate video.  Students use professionally equipped studios to learn concepts and apply them to create award-winning media content.  The newly remodeled labs include professional audio and video equipment utilizing the latest digital technology such as Digidesign ProTools, Final Cut Pro and Trinity.

Media Studies

Media studies is a non-production major that examines media from a theoretical perspective.  Topics include mass communication theory, social effects of media and intercultural aspects of mass communication.  In addition to analyzing media and media messages, students are also engaged in writing for the mass media.  This major is especially helpful for students considering graduate or professional degrees.

Public Relations

The public relations major is a professional program designed to meet, and in some cases surpass, the Public Relations Society of America's Guidelines for Undergraduate Education. This program teaches the kind of research, writing, planning and budgeting skills that students need to succeed in the job market, and affords them the opportunity to employ these skills on behalf of a variety of clients. An extremely active chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America gives students additional opportunities for learning and service.

Speech Communication

Speech communication majors learn face-to-face communication skills, and the ability to think critically, grounded in a body of knowledge that is transportable and applicable to a variety of career paths. Performance and theoretical electives in this major afford students the opportunity to tailor it to their interests as they prepare for careers ranging from sales to supervision, from the ministry to law. A background in speech communication is an asset to all career-minded individuals who must communicate clearly, forcefully, and persuasively.

Theatre

The theatre program offers a full range of courses plus extensive applied experiences both on and off stage. Students prepare for professional, community, and educational theatre positions. The Forest Roberts Theatre is one of the finest university theatres in the nation, boasting computerized lighting control and an upgraded sound system. Theatre majors put what they learn in performance and technical theatre classes into practice onstage and backstage in five major productions yearly before traditionally sold out houses. Experimental theatre space in the McClintock building is home to numerous student-directed productions as well as many performance classes. A special audition class has helped ensure ninety-percent placement of theatre students over the past decade.

Department/Program Policies

All department majors must maintain a 2.5 grade point average in the major, and earn at least a “C-” in all major courses that are required for graduation, unless otherwise noted. Department minors must maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Speech Communication Major

1. All students are required to complete and pass a senior qualifying examination the semester in which they intend to graduate.

2. All students are required to present and receive a passing evaluation for a graduation presentation to be given the semester in which they intend to graduate.

3. Details regarding either requirement may be obtained from a student’s departmental advisor or the department head. Students will be contacted at the beginning of their final semester and given instructions for the completion of both requirements, and should register for SP 485.

Theatre Major

1. All students are required to participate each semester in a jury presentation scheduled and critiqued by the theatre faculty. Juries are evaluated on a "pass/fail" basis and are not reflected in students' academic transcripts. Students who fail two consecutive theatre juries at a given level may be dropped from the major.

2. Transfer students who wish to major in theatre must receive credit for at least sixteen hours of academic work in the theatre area unless a waiver is approved by the student’s advisor and department head.

3. All theatre majors are required to have at least one field studies experience as part of their degree program. Only the New York Field Studies, the Stratford Summer Tour, or a comparable substitute approved by theatre faculty will fulfill this requirement.

Public Relations Minor

Media Studies Minor

Students majoring in a departmental program which requires SP 110, who elect the media studies minor, should count SP 110 in their major and replace it in the minor with TH 130.

Communication and Performance Study Programs