We live in an age of unprecedented change in the technologies and practices of human communication. Communication and performance skills are increasingly important in the new vocational marketplace. The Communication and Theatre department seeks to provide practical and critical skills for addressing this changing world from a perspective of Christian faith and commitment. For more information about the department's approach to communication as a discipline, read our mission statement.
Communication Major
As a Communication major you will become an effective and persuasive communicator. Through classes, departmental activities, internships, and other learning opportunities, you will be prepared for a variety of careers in such areas as print journalism, broadcast journalism, public relations, performance arts, communication consulting, church promotion, higher education, communication research, political communication, public speaking, organizational leadership and much, much more.
In addition, you may pursue you may pursue one of three concentrations: organizational communication, public relations or journalism/broadcasting. If your interests fall outside one of these concentrations, we well help you tailor the major toward your specific professional goals. Since our major in modest in credit requirement, you can easily add a minor. For instance, students interested in visual communication often complete a minor in art while students who want to work in public relations typically minor in business administration.
Beginning in the 2009-2009 school year, Bluffton will be offering a new major in Broadcasting and Journalism.
If you want to supplement a different major with training in communication you should consider a communication minor.
Theatre Study
Theatre study at Bluffton University provides training in many performance areas like acting, directing, set design and set construction, makeup design and execution, costuming, lighting and sound design, stage management, house management and theatrical marketing. You are also involved in such academic work as play analysis, character analysis, history of theatre and theatre as an art form.
"The communication major at Bluffton was excellent preparation for graduate school and for my appointment as assistant professor at Messiah College. My communication classes encouraged me to think critically about the principles and theories underlying many communication contexts…Moreover, my experiences in the communication program at Bluffton challenged me to know and articulate what I believe, which is absolutely vital regardless of one’s vocational choice."
~Kate Simcox
"It was at Bluffton that I made a commitment to integrate my faith with my vocation. I am forever grateful for the personal guidance and instruction I received from my professors. They believed in me, and gave me the confidence to succeed. I learned the importance of effective communication, whether on stage or off... Bluffton provided a solid framework of skills in theatre and communication which have enabled me to follow the path I am on." ~Eric Slabach '02
Eric is currently pursing his M.A. Communication: Theatre in
Education and Ministry at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA.
Click here to find out more about past graduates and what they say about the program.
