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Professors Mehler (Chair), Cosdon

Communication, Film, and Theatre Mission Statement:

The Department of Communication, Film, and Theatre is dedicated to the critical study and production of communication. The curriculum offers students opportunities for making theatre and media across platforms, critically analyzing live and mediated performance, and examining the intersections of culture, technology, and civic life. The department’s liberal arts emphasis encourages students to develop habits of cultural awareness, engaged citizenship, thoughtful professionalism, and a meaningful private life.

The department offers three majors: Communication and Cultural Studies, Film and Digital Storytelling, and Theatre. Students that major in Communication and Cultural Studies or Film and Digital Storytelling complete a disciplinary core sequence and two of four modules of inquiry:

• “Media, Politics, and Technology”
• “Popular Culture and Civic Life”
• “Digital Storytelling”
• “Live Performance”

Students that major in Theatre complete a disciplinary core sequence, a series of elective courses, and one of the first three modules of inquiry listed above. Students should discuss their intended core+module combination with their advisor before declaring one of these majors.

The department also offers three minors: Communication and Cultural Studies, Film and Digital Storytelling, and Theatre. Minors take five courses within their chosen area as well as a sixth course that may come from any area of the department, including FSCOM 201. Students should discuss their intended combination of courses with the department chair before declaring one of these minors.

Majors and minors are strongly encouraged to participate in activities such as AFTV (Allegheny Film and Television), WARC-FM radio, the Playshop Theatre, Student Experimental Theatre, USITT Student Chapter, Orchesis and JaDE dance troupes, The Campus newspaper, and the Allegheny Literary Journal and Allegheny Review publications.

Majors and minors are strongly encouraged to consult with department faculty to discuss career options, internships, and experiential learning. Credit-bearing internships in Communication and Cultural Studies, Film and Digital Storytelling, and Theatre require joint approval by a faculty liaison and the host agency.

Learning Outcomes for Other Students

Students who successfully complete a few courses in Communication and Cultural Studies, Film and Digital Storytelling, and/or Theatre are expected to:

• Cultivate a critical awareness about communication practices they encounter in public and private life.

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