Communication and Theatre
Students in the Department of Communication and Theatre will tell you their focus is on messages -- the power of the word to transform human existence. Whether writing, analyzing, speaking or performing, our students are active communicators on campus and beyond. We seek to prepare our students to be knowledgeable, versatile, and confident in responsibly meeting the complex communication challenges of a dynamic world. Our students:
- excel in forms of verbal and non-verbal expression, demonstrating proficient delivery of well-written, purposefully crafted messages;
- critically analyze acts of individual expression and effectively respond to complex communication challenges; and
- demonstrate an understanding of relevant, discipline-based theories by engaging in independent, creative, and scholarly projects.
Our students are empowered to make this happen by working closely with our outstanding faculty and through their involvement in our department activities: theatre, debate, newspaper, honor societies, pre-professional organizations, and internships.
Degree programs offered:
- Organizational Communication: Organizational Communication examines the ways in which communication occurs within a business, non-profit or other organizational setting. A major for those interested in integrated communication, public relations, marketing, human resources, communication consulting, etc.
- Rhetoric and Political Communication: Rhetoric and Political Communication explores how communication influences change in society. A major for those who are interested in the ways communication affects public life, particularly those who seek careers in law or public advocacy.
- Theatre: The degree in theatre provides a specialized, integrated approach to the study of theatre. A pre-professional major for students with career aspirations in the theatre.
- Theatre with a Communication Emphasis: This major offers a specialized study in theatre that includes complementary courses in communication. This major offers students increased flexibility of career choices.
- Speech Education: A secondary education certification for those who are interested in teaching high school speech and debate.
- Theatre Education: A secondary education certification for those who are interested in teaching high school theatre.
Distinctives:
- Our debate team is the 2008 Missouri State Champions and the 2007 National Champions of the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence.
- Our integrated theatre curriculum is nationally renowned for its unique design, and our students produce, direct, cast, and design their own senior theatre performances.
- All of our students have the opportunity to earn academic credit for internships at advertising firms, public relations agencies, sports teams, professional theatre, media outlets, and non-profit organizations.
- Our award-winning weekly newspaper, the Hilltop Monitor, is the voice of Jewell students as well as the best source of news on campus.
- All of our seniors complete independent capstone projects: senior persuasive speaking recitals, theatre productions, and original research papers. Some of those students have gone on to present their work at regional and national scholarly conferences and workshops.
Prospective students should feel free to contact a faculty member in their interest area. Scholarships and academic credit are available for students interested in our co-curricular activities:
Are you ready to contribute to the Jewell conversation? Drop us an e-mail, schedule a visit, or call us toll free (1-888-2-JEWELL).
Communication and Theatre Faculty:
Gina E. Lane, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication, Director of Debate and Department Chair
Dr. Lane is Department Chair and Director of our national champion debate program. She is the senior faculty member in rhetoric and political communication. She is interested in the study of persuasion and political rhetoric.
Deborah Chasteen, Ph.D
Professor of Communication, Director of Internships
Dr. Chasteen is the senior faculty member in Organizational Communication and the Director of our Internship program. She is also the advisor to Lambda Pi Eta, a communication honor society, and the Jewell Communication Society.
Kim Bradford Harris, Ph.D.
Professor of Theatre, Director of WJC Theatre
Dr. Harris is the Director of WJC Theatre. He is the senior faculty member in theatre, and the architect of Jewell's unique integrated World of Theatre curriculum, and his primary research interest lies in pedagogical assessment of this program.
Lois Anne Harris, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication, Director of Prestigious Fellowships, Advisor to the Hilltop Monitor
Dr. Harris is the Director of William Jewell's Prestigious Fellowship program. Under her leadership, the program has expanded and serves those students desiring to apply for the Truman, Rhodes, Fulbright, Goldwater, Gates, and other prestigious scholarships and fellowships. She is also the Advisor to the Hilltop Monitor, the weekly award-winning campus newspaper.
Nathan Wyman, M.F.A.
Associate Professor of Theatre and Director of Technical Theatre
Professor Wyman is the Director of Technical Theatre and Sceneographer for WJC Theatre, and a faculty member in theatre. He is responsible for the set and design elements for all our major theatre productions.
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