Program Overview

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Communication Arts Program

The Communication Arts department at Washington & Jefferson College offers a comprehensive program that focuses on enhancing students' personal and professional interpersonal relationships through a liberal arts education. The program provides theoretical understandings that lead to practical applications, considering future careers, ethical leadership, and intercultural knowledge.

Program Overview

The Communication Arts program teaches courses in theatre and theatre history, public relations, media studies, gender and women's studies, communication ethics, play writing, and directing. Students can choose to focus on a specific field of study after completing introductory courses in Communication Arts, selecting from areas of emphasis such as Media Studies, Public Relations, or Theatre.

Courses

The program includes a wide range of courses, such as:

• Acting: Improvisation, Analysis, and Performance
• Advanced Topics in Communication Arts
• Advertising and Digital Media
• American Dream on Film
• Cultural Studies in Communication Arts
• Digital Storytelling
• Film Form and Genre
• Film in Context
• Historical Studies in Communication Arts
• Introduction to Media Studies
• Introduction to Public Relations
• Introduction to Rhetoric and Communication
• Introduction to Theatre
• Journalism
• Political Economy of Media
• Public Relations Campaigns
• Public Relations Research & Strategies
• Public Speaking
• Radio and Podcasting
• Radio Performance or Production
• Research Methods in Communication Arts
• Senior Capstone
• Special Topics in Communication Arts
• Sports Communication
• Stagecraft: Theatre Production & Design
• Star Wars: Exploring a Modern Myth
• Theatre Direction and Management
• Theatre Performance or Production
• Writing for Stage and Screen

Research and Internships

Students in the Communication Arts program have opportunities for research and internships that provide hands-on experience in their chosen field. These experiences help students develop skills, build their portfolios, and make professional connections.

Careers After Graduation

Graduates of the Communication Arts program at Washington & Jefferson College go on to pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Theatre and performance
• Public relations and marketing
• Media and journalism
• Education and academia
• Non-profit and advocacy work

Faculty

The Communication Arts department is led by a team of experienced faculty members, including:

Alexander Fagin, M.A.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication Arts

Nicholas Maradin, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and General Manager of WNJR-FM

Karin Maresh, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair of Communication Arts, Advisor to Student Theatre Company and Alpha Psi Omega

Melissa Robinson

Adjunct Instructor of Communication Arts

Daniel Shaw

Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Director of Olin Fine Arts Center

Stevie Berberick, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Communication Arts, Coordinator of Safe Zone Training

Melissa Cook, Ph.D.

Professor of Communication Arts, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

News and Events

The Communication Arts department regularly updates its news and events section with stories about student achievements, faculty research, and upcoming performances and lectures.

Beyond the Classroom

The Communication Arts program at Washington & Jefferson College offers students a range of opportunities to engage with their field beyond the classroom. These include:

• Department-sponsored programming and events
• Off-campus internships
• Participation in the Student Theatre Company
• Working with the college's FCC-licensed noncommercial educational radio station, WNJR
• Membership in the W&J Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)

Explore Other Areas of Study

Students interested in the Communication Arts program may also want to explore other areas of study, including:

• Public Relations
• Theatre
• Media Studies
• Marketing

By providing a comprehensive education in communication arts, Washington & Jefferson College prepares students for successful careers in a variety of fields and helps them develop the skills and knowledge needed to excel in an ever-changing world.