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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Studies Common Requirements | ||
| COMM 1000 | Communication Studies at Northeastern | 1 |
| COMM 1101 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 4 |
| COMM 1112 | Public Speaking | 4 |
| or COMM 2301 | Communication Research Methods | |
| Foundation Course | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Persuasion and Rhetoric | ||
| Principles of Organizational Communication | ||
| Communication Theory | ||
| Communication in a Digital Age | ||
| Cluster Course | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
| Sex, Relationships, and Communication | ||
| Global and Intercultural Communication | ||
| Communication and Gender | ||
| Communication Law | ||
| Free Speech in Cyberspace | ||
| Writing-Intensive Courses | ||
| Complete two of the following: | 8 | |
| Mobile Communication | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Communication and Inclusion | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Great Speakers and Speeches | ||
| Communication Criticism | ||
| Public Relations Principles | ||
| Environmental Issues, Communication, and the Media | ||
| Free Speech: Law and Practice | ||
| Communication and Sexualities | ||
| Theories of Conflict and Negotiation | ||
| Nonverbal Social Interaction | ||
| Youth and Communication Technology | ||
| 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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Stages | ||
| THTR 1101 | Introduction to Theatre | 4 |
| THTR 1120 | Acting 1 | 4 |
| THTR 1131 | Technical Theatre 1 | 4 |
| THTR 1270 | Introduction to Theatrical Design | 4 |
| THTR 2325 | From Script to Stage | 4 |
| Theatre Texts and Context | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
| Race, Power, and Performance | ||
| Classics of Global Theatre | ||
| Rebels of Modern Drama | ||
| Classics of 20th-Century American Drama | ||
| Theatre and Society | ||
| Intermediate or Advanced Technique | ||
| Choose two of the following: | 8 | |
| History of Musical Theatre | ||
| Playwriting | ||
| Acting 2 | ||
| Acting for the Camera | ||
| Viewpoints | ||
| Lighting Design | ||
| Costume Design | ||
| Scenic Design | ||
| Creative Storytelling for Social Engagement | ||
| Queer Theatre and Performance | ||
| Devised Theatre Project: Collaborative Performance | ||
| Designing Combat for the Stage | ||
| Acting 3 | ||
| Directing for the Stage | ||
| Musical Theatre Performance 2 | ||
| Making Theatre | ||
| THTR 1100 | Production Experience 1 | 1 |
| THTR 2000 | Production Experience 2 | 1 |
| THTR 4702 | Capstone Rehearsal and Performance | 4 |
Integrative Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose from one of the following: | 4 | |
| Capstone Rehearsal and Performance | ||
| Health Communication Campaigns | ||
| 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
| COMM 1000 or THTR 1000 | 1 | COMM 1112 or 2301 | 4 | Communicaton studies foundation course | 4 | Vacation | |
| COMM 1101 | 4 | THTR 1131 | 4 | Communicaton studies elective | 4 | ||
| THTR 1100 | 1 | Foreign language course or elective | 4 | ||||
| THTR 1101 | 4 | ENGW 1111 | 4 | ||||
| THTR 1120 | 4 | ||||||
| Foreign language elective or THTR elective | 4 | ||||||
| 18 | 16 | 8 | 0 | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
| Communicaton studies cluster course | 4 | Co-op #1 | Co-op #1 | Elective | 4 | ||
| Communicaton studies elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
| THTR 2000 | 1 | ||||||
| THTR 2325 | 4 | ||||||
| Theatre text and context | 4 | ||||||
| EEAM 2000 | 1 | ||||||
| 18 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
| Year 3 | |||||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer 1 | Hours | Summer 2 | Hours |
| THTR 1270 | 4 | Comm writing intensive | 4 | Optional Co-op #2 | 0 | Optional Co-op #2 | 0 |
| THTR intermediate or advanced | 4 | Comm elective | 4 | ||||
| Foreign language or elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
| ENGW 3314 or 3315 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
| 16 | 16 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Year 4 | |||||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||||
| Communication studies writing-intensive | 4 | Integrative course | 4 | ||||
| THTR Intermediate or advanced elective 2 | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
| Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
| Elective | 4 | Elective | 4 | ||||
| 16 | 16 | ||||||
| Total Hours: 132 | |||||||