• Skip to Content
  • AZ Index
  • Catalog Home
  • Institution Home
Northeastern University

Academic Catalog 2021-2022

  • Home›
  • Undergraduate›
  • College of Arts, Media and Design›
  • Communication Studies›
  • Communication Studies and Theatre, BA

Communication Studies and Theatre, BA

2021-2022 Edition

  • Undergraduate
    • Admission
    • Information for Entering Students
    • College Expenses
    • Academic Policies and Procedures
    • University Academics
    • College of Arts, Media and Design
      • School of Architecture
      • Art + Design
      • Communication Studies
        • Communication Studies, BA
        • Communication and Media Studies, BA
        • Communication Studies and Graphic and Information Design, BA
        • Communication Studies and Sociology, BA
        • Communication Studies and Theatre, BA
        • English and Communication Studies, BA
        • Human Services and Communication Studies, BA
        • Linguistics and Communication Studies, BA
        • Media Arts and Communication Studies, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and English, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and History, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Journalism, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Media Arts, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Philosophy, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Political Science, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Sociology, BA
        • Media and Screen Studies and Theatre, BA
        • Political Science and Communication Studies, BA
        • Business Administration and Communication Studies, BS
        • Computer Science and Communication Studies, BS
        • Communication Studies and Speech-​Language Pathology and Audiology, BS
        • Health Science and Communication Studies, BS
        • Media and Screen Studies and Theatre, BS
        • Music and Communication Studies with Concentration in Music Industry, BS
        • Political Science and Communication Studies, BS
        • Argumentation and Law, Minor
        • Cinema Studies, Minor
        • Communication Studies, Minor
        • Digital Communications, Minor
        • Film Production, Minor
        • Human Communication, Minor
        • Improvisation and Storytelling, Minor
        • Media Screen Studies, Minor
        • Media Production, Minor
        • Oratory and Public Speaking, Minor
        • Political Communication, Minor
        • Rhetoric, Minor
        • Social Activism, Minor
        • Sports, Media, Communication, Minor
      • School of Journalism
      • Music
      • Theatre
      • Interdisciplinary
      • Accelerated Bachelor/​Graduate Degree Programs
    • D'Amore-​McKim School of Business
    • Khoury College of Computer Sciences
    • College of Engineering
    • Bouvé College of Health Sciences
    • College of Science
    • College of Social Sciences and Humanities
    • Faculty
    • Appendix
  • College of Professional Studies Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Course Descriptions
  • Catalog Archives
  • Overview
  • Program Requirements
  • Plan of Study

The Departments of Theatre and Communication Studies offer an interdisciplinary combined major that unites the artistic dimensions of theatre with the practical skills and theories in communication studies. The program provides both the creative study of theater performance, literature, playwriting, and directing with the ability to research and deliver a compelling speech and think critically and write effectively. The two disciplines unite in shared values of original personal expression, professional collaboration, and experiences in the cultural, social, and ethical impact of theatre as human communication.

Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.

University-Wide Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the University-Wide Requirements.

BA Language Requirements

All BA students are required to complete the BA language requirements.

NUpath Requirements

All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.

NUpath requirements Interpreting Culture (IC), Creative Expression/Innovation (EI), Societies and Institutions (SI), and Ethical Reasoning (ER) are met through the major course requirements. 

NUpath requirements Natural and Designed World (ND), Formal and Quantitative Reasoning (FQ), Analyzing and Using Data (AD), and Difference and Diversity (DD) may be met through electives in the major.

Communication Studies Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Communication Studies Common Requirements
COMM 1000Communication Studies at Northeastern1
COMM 1101Introduction to Communication Studies4
COMM 1112Public Speaking4
or COMM 2301 Communication Research Methods
Foundation Course
Complete one of the following:4
COMM 1210
Persuasion and Rhetoric
COMM 1231
Principles of Organizational Communication
COMM 1225
Communication Theory
COMM 1255
Communication in a Digital Age
Cluster Course
Complete one of the following:4
COMM 1131
Sex, Relationships, and Communication
COMM 2303
Global and Intercultural Communication
COMM 2304
Communication and Gender
COMM 2501
Communication Law
COMM 2551
Free Speech in Cyberspace
Writing-Intensive Courses
Complete two of the following:8
COMM 3200
Mobile Communication
COMM 3201
Health Communication
COMM 3230
Interpersonal Communication
COMM 3304
Communication and Inclusion
COMM 3320
Political Communication
COMM 3414
Great Speakers and Speeches
COMM 3415
Communication Criticism
COMM 3445
Public Relations Principles
COMM 3500
Environmental Issues, Communication, and the Media
COMM 3501
Free Speech: Law and Practice
COMM 3530
Communication and Sexualities
COMM 3532
Theories of Conflict and Negotiation
COMM 4535
Nonverbal Social Interaction
COMM 4605
Youth and Communication Technology
COMM 4631
Crisis Communication and Image Management
Communication Studies Electives
Complete three COMM courses.12

Theatre Requirements

A minimum grade of C is required in all theatre courses.

Course List
Code Title Hours
Foundational Stages
THTR 1101Introduction to Theatre4
THTR 1120Acting 14
THTR 1131Technical Theatre 14
THTR 1270Introduction to Theatrical Design4
THTR 2325From Script to Stage4
Theatre Texts and Context
Choose one of the following:4
THTR 1220
Race, Power, and Performance
THTR 2300
Classics of Global Theatre
THTR 2315
Rebels of Modern Drama
THTR 2320
Classics of 20th-Century American Drama
THTR 2340
Theatre and Society
Intermediate or Advanced Technique
Choose two of the following:8
THTR 2310
History of Musical Theatre
THTR 2330
Playwriting
THTR 2342
Acting 2
THTR 2345
Acting for the Camera
THTR 2346
Viewpoints
THTR 2370
Lighting Design
THTR 2380
Costume Design
THTR 2400
Scenic Design
THTR 3100
Creative Storytelling for Social Engagement
THTR 3200
Queer Theatre and Performance
THTR 3300
Devised Theatre Project: Collaborative Performance
THTR 3400
Designing Combat for the Stage
THTR 3450
Acting 3
THTR 3550
Directing for the Stage
THTR 3570
Musical Theatre Performance 2
Making Theatre
THTR 1100Production Experience 11
THTR 2000Production Experience 21
THTR 4702Capstone Rehearsal and Performance4

Integrative Requirements

Course List
Code Title Hours
Choose from one of the following: 4
THTR 4702
Capstone Rehearsal and Performance
COMM 4102
Health Communication Campaigns
COMM 4530
Communication and Quality of Life

Communication Studies Major Grade Requirement

No more than two grades below a C in communication studies courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Program Requirement

130 total semester hours required

Sample Four Years, Two Co-ops in Spring/Summer

Year 1
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
COMM 1000 or THTR 10001COMM 1112 or 23014Communicaton studies foundation course4Vacation
COMM 11014THTR 11314Communicaton studies elective4 
THTR 11001Foreign language course or elective4  
THTR 11014ENGW 11114  
THTR 11204   
Foreign language elective or THTR elective4   
 18 16 8 0
Year 2
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
Communicaton studies cluster course4Co-op #1Co-op #1Elective4
Communicaton studies elective4  Elective4
THTR 20001   
THTR 23254   
Theatre text and context4   
EEAM 20001   
 18 0 0 8
Year 3
FallHoursSpringHoursSummer 1HoursSummer 2Hours
THTR 12704Comm writing intensive4Optional Co-op #20Optional Co-op #20
THTR intermediate or advanced 4Comm elective4  
Foreign language or elective4Elective4  
ENGW 3314 or 33154Elective4  
 16 16 0 0
Year 4
FallHoursSpringHours  
Communication studies writing-intensive4Integrative course4  
THTR Intermediate or advanced elective 24Elective4  
Elective4Elective4  
Elective4Elective4  
 16 16  
Total Hours: 132
  • Boston Opens New Window
  • Burlington Opens New Window
  • Charlotte Opens New Window
  • London Opens New Window
  • Nahant Opens New Window
  • Portland Opens New Window
  • San Francisco Opens New Window
  • Seattle Opens New Window
  • Silicon Valley Opens New Window
  • Toronto Opens New Window
  • Vancouver Opens New Window

360 Huntington Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02115 Opens New Window | 617.373.2000 | TTY 617.373.3768 | Emergency Information
© 2021-2022 Northeastern University | myNortheastern Opens New Window

  • Facebook. Opens New Window
  • Twitter. Opens New Window
  • Youtube. Opens New Window
  • Linkedin. Opens New Window
  • Instagram. Opens New Window
  • Snapchat. Opens New Window

Privacy Policy Opens New Window

Back to top

Print Options

  • Send Page to Printer

    Print this page.

  • Download Page (PDF)

    The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

  • 2021-22 Undergraduate PDF

  • 2021-22 College of Professional Studies Undergraduate PDF

  • 2021-22 Graduate PDF

  • 2021-22 Course Descriptions PDF