Communication Studies

The communication studies major prepares students for careers in public relations, personnel management, consultancy programs, media communications, and corporate executive training. Because excellent communication skills are important in many professions, this major has also been chosen by those pursuing careers in sales or politics. It also serves as excellent undergraduate preparation for those planning additional graduate professional training such as law, theology, and business. Graduating seniors in communication arts culminate their programs with an individualized senior project under the direction of a faculty mentor. This project involves either a senior recital or a senior thesis. The senior recital emphasizes the performance training in areas of acting, oral interpretation, and public speaking and results in a public performance. The senior thesis emphasizes research and writing and results in a public presentation. Course requirements involve 44 semester hours, including 20 semester hours in core requirements and 24 semester hours in an area of concentration chosen with the advice of the student's academic advisor. An additional 8 hours in specific courses are required if the student performs a recital. or from other departments to meet the specific life goals of the student, and must be approved by the department chairman and the student's advisor.

Electronic Media

The electronic media major prepares students for careers in a wide range of media radio, television, non-broadcast audio/video production, and online and computer-based media. Because of the paraprofessional nature of this program and the balance of practical and theoretical aspects of media work, Cedarville graduates have excelled in careers across all of these media.

Through specifically designed courses, students have the opportunity to work in environments in which radio stations are streaming alternate music formats on the Web, television is digital and interactive, and the Internet's broadband capacity provides video on demand. Students receive a broad perspective to prepare them to work in a rapidly changing media environment and will also select a concentration for specialization.

Course requirements involve 49 semester hours-28 semester hours of core courses that provide the student with an overview of these media and develop skills in common with all of them and a 21-hour concentration. The concentrations provide specialized courses in audio production (radio and non-broadcast audio), video production (television and non-broadcast video), management/sales (covering the business side of the field), and interactive media (online and computer-based media). Internships are strongly recommended but are dependent upon availability and placement.

Journalism

The field of journalism is changing to meet the demands of today's evolving media. Cedarville's new and cutting-edge journalism program is designed to equip the next generation of journalists who will bring a strong ethical and moral perspective to the changing way people access the news.

Cedarville's approach: convergent journalism. Full convergence involves a radical change in approach and mindset among journalists and their managers. It involves a shared assignment desk where the key people and the multimedia assignment editors assess each news event on its merits and send the most appropriate people to the story. Convergent coverage is driven by the significance of the news event. Depending on variables unique to each country and company, convergence is one of the most likely scenarios for media organizations around the world.

Theatre

The theatre major is a comprehensive major providing training in acting, directing, theatre design/technology, and theatre history/dramaturgy. In addition to studio and classroom instruction, students will gain practical experience through working on department productions and serving on production teams. The program places a special emphasis upon the use of drama in worship and Christian ministry. While many theatre majors anticipate a career in theatre, other students may want to combine the theatre major with a specific minor to help prepare them for the wide diversity of theatrerelated professions including Christian Education, Youth Ministry, Arts Management, Arts Law, and Arts Education. With the assistance of a faculty advisor, theatre majors are encouraged to consider taking a minor in such fields of study as Art, English, Management, Christian Education or Psychology. The program culminates in a Senior Theatre Project designed to feature the student's level of expertise and assist the student in preparation for graduate school or the selected area for employment or ministry. Course requirements involve 55 semester hours.