Comprehensive Communication

The comprehensive communication major prepares students for careers in public relations, personnel management, consultation programs, media communications, and corporate executive training. Because excellent communication skills are important in many professions, this major has also been chosen by those pursuing careers in sales or politics. It also serves as excellent preparation for those planning additional graduate professional training such as law, theology, and business.

Electronic Media

The electronic media major prepares students for careers in a wide range of media radio, television, non-broadcast audio/video production, and online and computer-based media. Because of the paraprofessional nature of this program and the balance of practical and theoretical aspects of media work, Cedarville graduates have excelled in careers across all of these media.

Through specifically designed courses, students have the opportunity to work in environments in which radio stations are streaming alternate music formats on the Web, television is digital and interactive, and the Internet's broadband capacity provides video on demand. Students receive a broad perspective to prepare them to work in a rapidly changing media environment and will also select a concentration for specialization.

Course requirements involve 49 semester hours-28 semester hours of core courses that provide the student with an overview of these media and develop skills in common with all of them and a 21-hour concentration. The concentrations provide specialized courses in audio production (radio and non-broadcast audio), video production (television and non-broadcast video), management/sales (covering the business side of the field), and interactive media (online and computer-based media). Internships are strongly recommended but are dependent upon availability and placement.

Areas of Specialization

• Audio
• Interactive
• Sales/Management
• Video

Intercultural Communication

The intercultural communication major was developed with the awareness that there is a need to educate communication professionals to be competent in diverse cultural contexts. It has been structured to provide students with the opportunity to obtain a strong foundation in intercultural communication as an academic field; understand the research methods needed to answer questions and solve problems related to this area of study; apply their program of study in a supervised cultural immersion experience; and evaluate multicultural issues and integrate their understanding of the field and their responsibility within it in the context of a Christian worldview.

Journalism

The field of journalism is changing to meet the demands of today's evolving media. Cedarville's new and cutting-edge journalism program is designed to equip the next generation of journalists who will bring a strong ethical and moral perspective to the changing way people access the news.

Cedarville's approach: convergent journalism. Full convergence involves a radical change in approach and mindset among journalists and their managers. It involves a shared assignment desk where the key people and the multimedia assignment editors assess each news event on its merits and send the most appropriate people to the story. Convergent coverage is driven by the significance of the news event. Depending on variables unique to each country and company, convergence is one of the most likely scenarios for media organizations around the world.

Areas of Specialization

• Broadcast Journalism
• Print Journalism
• Public Relations

Media Communication

The media communication major offers a new approach to the study of media that prepares students to lead media innovations, solve new problems, and address the unique challenges of convergent mediated communication. Students are taught to cultivate a unique approach to mediated communication that develops skills in creative problem-solving techniques, innovative adaptation of media forms and formats, and positive leadership.

Organizational Communication

Students in the organizational communication major study processes of human interaction within organizational settings. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to explore decision-making and problem-solving in corporate contexts, training and development processes, interviewing and discussion methods, conflict resolution, and negotiation techniques. This program prepares students for careers in corporate communication, marketing/sales, public relations, and human resources by providing a sound foundation in organization and the skills needed to communicate effectively in a variety of communication contexts.

Political Communication

The political communication major provides students with a solid foundation to meet the diverse requirements of communication professionals in local, state, and national political contexts. This area of study begins with the fundamentals of political communication, then moves to develop proficiency in speech writing and constituent relations. The coursework is designed to stimulate problem-solving, leadership development, and critical thinking in political contexts. An important part of the curriculum is understanding the nature and implications of diversity in American society to enable students to communicate effectively and responsibly.

Theatre

The theatre major is a comprehensive major providing training in acting, directing, theatre design/technology, and theatre history/dramaturgy. In addition to studio and classroom instruction, students will gain practical experience through working on department productions and serving on production teams. The program places a special emphasis upon the use of drama in worship and Christian ministry. While many theatre majors anticipate a career in theatre, other students may want to combine the theatre major with a specific minor to help prepare them for the wide diversity of theatrerelated professions including Christian Education, Youth Ministry, Arts Management, Arts Law, and Arts Education. With the assistance of a faculty advisor, theatre majors are encouraged to consider taking a minor in such fields of study as Art, English, Management, Christian Education or Psychology. The program culminates in a Senior Theatre Project designed to feature the student's level of expertise and assist the student in preparation for graduate school or the selected area for employment or ministry. Course requirements involve 55 semester hours.

Areas of Specialization

• Design
• Performance