Communication and Theatre

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Students in Communication and Theatre study the process by which messages are devised and disseminated. Attention is given to the various roles and stages in the communication process. The contexts of communication, including rhetoric, interpersonal communication, media, and theatre, are analyzed and distinguished. As a crossroads discipline, communication is studied from the humanities, artistic, and social science perspectives. The study of communication is built around a framework that allows for an understanding of theory, opportunity for criticism of messages and practice and research in the discipline. Students study a wide range of communication areas, including rhetoric, interpersonal communication, media and theatre. Communication students can apply their understanding of this vital process in a variety of fields, such as corporate communication, public relations, personnel, advertising, marketing, law, mass media, sales, public service and the performing arts. Most communication students participate in co-curricular activities, such as debate, theatre (DePauw Theatre) and student mass media (WGRE-FM radio and D3TV cable access television). Two majors and three minors are offered in Communication and Theatre. Students preparing for secondary teaching: please review Section V, Teacher Education, and confer with the chair of the Education Department about requirements for admission and certification.