Major and Minors
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication, Media and Theatre, as suggested by its name, includes three distinct, creative and demanding disciplines that are linked with their foundation in the study of communication in a variety of contexts. Students majoring in our program will learn to become more proficient in the theory and practice of communication, media, and theatre arts while developing an appreciation of differing values and perceptions of the world in which they live.
The undergraduate degree is a multidisciplinary liberal-arts oriented degree, and students take courses in all three areas: Communication (CMTC), Media (CMTM) and Theatre (CMTT). A total of 39 credit hours is needed to fulfill the requirements for a major in Communication, Media and Theatre.
Major in Communication, Media and Theatre (39 credits)
Required Core Courses
- CMTC 101 Public Speaking
- CMTC 305 Writing in Communication, Media and Theatre (WIP)
- CMTT 339 Technical Theater Production
- One 200-level CMTC (Communication) course
- One 200-level CMTM (Media) course
- One 200-level CMTT (Theatre) course
Twenty-one credits of elective courses
- Choose any courses with the “CMT” prefix.
- Six 300-level CMT courses (eighteen credits)
- One any-level CMT course (three credits)
Note: These are the CMT major courses (39 credits). Students must also complete additional University graduation requirements outside of the major and should consult the Northeastern Illinois University Academic Catalog.
Communication, Media and Theatre Minor (21 credits)
Core Required Course (choose one; 3 credits)
- CMTC 101 Public Speaking
- CMTC 202 Voice and Diction
Required: One course in Communication (3 credits)
- CMTC 213 Interpersonal Communication
- CMTC 214 Business and Professional Communication
- CMTC 215 Small Group Communication
Required: One course in Media (3 credits)
- CMTM 205 Fundamentals of Media Writing
- CMTM 260 Introduction to Video Production
- CMTM 265 Mass Media and Society
One course in Theatre (3 credits)
- CMTT 130 Introduction to Theatre
- CMTT 221 Acting I
- CMTT 240 Stagecraft
Three 300-level elective courses (9 credits)
- Choose from any 300-level courses in Communication, Media or Theatre
Communication Minor (15 credits)
Required: One 200-level course from the following (3 credits)
- CMTC 213 Interpersonal Communication
- CMTC 214 Business and Professional Communication
- CMTC 215 Small Group Communication
Required: One 300-level course from the following (3 credits)
- CMTC 313 Communication, Gender and Identity
- CMTC 314 Organizational Communication
- CMTC 315 Leadership Communication*
Three Elective Courses (9 credits)
- One 300-level Communication (CMTC) course
- One 300-level Communication (CMTC) course
- Any level Communication (CMTC) course
Note: * CMTC-215 prerequisite
Media Minor (15 credits)
One course in Media Production/Writing
- CMTM 205 Fundamentals of Media Writing
- CMTM 260 Introduction to Video Production
- CMTM 360 Advanced Video Production*
- CMTM 361 Digital Video Editing*
- CMTM 362 Video Production Workshop*
- CMTM 364 Writing for Media
- CMTM 366 Multimedia Storytelling
- CMTM 367 News Writing**
One course in Media Content/Theory
- CMTM 265: Mass Media and Society
- CMTM 363 Documentary Film
- CMTM 365 Contemporary Issues in Mass Media***
- CMTM 370 Public Relations
- CMTM 371 American Cinema (Origins - 1950)
- CMTM 372 American Cinema (1950 - Present)
- CMTM 373 World Cinema
- CMTM 376 Television History
- CMTM 377 Gender and Media
Three elective courses in Media (CMTM)
- One any-level CMTM course
- Two 300-level CMTM courses
Note: *CMTM-260 prerequisite, **CMTM-205 prerequisite, ***CMTM-265 prerequisite
Journalism Minor (18 credits)
Required Courses (9 credits)
- CMTM 105 Introduction to Journalism
- CMTM 205 Fundamentals of Media Writing
- CMTM 367 News Writing*
Required: Production (3 credits) from the following:
- CMTM 250 Introduction to Audio Production
- CMTM 260 Introduction to Video Production
- CMTM 361 Digital Video Editing**
Required: Media Literacy and Ethics (3 credits) from the following:
- CMTM 265 Mass Media and Society
- CMTM 378 New Media Technologies
- CMTM 365 Contemporary Issues in Mass Media ***
- CMTM 379 Media Law and Ethics
Required: Applied Skills (3 credits) from the following:
- CMTM 368 Community Media
- CMTM 366 Multimedia Storytelling****
- CMTC 383 Professional Internship*****
- CMTM 386 Seminar in Professional Experience*****
Note: *CMTM 205 prerequisite, ** CMTM 260 prerequisite, *** CMT 265 prerequisite, **** CMTM 250 or CMTM 260 prerequisite, ***** Application process required
Theatre design, technology, and management Minor (18 credits)
Required Core Course:
- CMTT 240 Foundations of Theatrical Design
Choose two of the following Design courses:
- CMTT 340 Set Design
- CMTT 341 Lighting Design
- CMTT 342 Costume Design
- CMTT 343 Stage Management
Choose one of the following Literature/History courses:
- CMTT 331 Western Theatre History
- CMTT 333 Contemporary Theatre
- CMTT 334 Special Topics in Theatre
- CMTT 337 Women in Playwriting
- CMTT 346 American Musical Theatre
- CMTT 357 Interpretation of Shakespeare
- CMTT 393 Drama for Teaching and Learning
Choose one of the following Performance courses:
- CMTT 203 Voice for the Performer
- CMTT 221 Acting 1
- CMTT 321 Acting 2
- CMTT 345 Directing
Choose one of the following Design Practicum courses:
- CMTT 309 Independent Study in Theatre
- CMTT 383 Professional Internship in Theatre
Theatre Performance minor (18 credits)
Required Core Courses:
- CMTT 221 Acting 1
- CMTT 203 Voice for the Performer
Choose one of the following Performance courses:
- CMTT 321 Acting 2
- CMTT 345 Directing
- CMTT 347 Playwriting
- CMTT 350 Children's Theatre Workshop: Elementary
- CMTT 351 Children's Theatre Workshop: Middle and High School
- CMTT 359 Experimental Theatre
Choose one of the following Literature/History courses:
- CMTT 331 Western Theatre History
- CMTT 333 Contemporary Theatre
- CMTT 334 Special Topics in Theatre
- CMTT 337 Women in Playwriting
- CMTT 346 American Musical Theatre
- CMTT 357 Interpretation of Shakespeare
- CMTT 393 Drama for Teaching and Learning
Choose one of the following Design, Technology, and Management courses:
- CMTT 249 Makeup
- CMTT 340 Set Design
- CMTT 341 Lighting Design
- CMTT 342 Costume Design
- CMTT 343 Stage Management
Choose one of the following Performance Practicum courses:
- CMTT 309 Independent Study in Theatre
- CMTT 358 Acting 3
- CMTT 383 Professional Internship in Theatre
