Department of Communication Studies and Theatre

Located in Communication and Theatre Building

 

 

 

The Department of Communication and Theatre Arts invites students to explore the important ways in which human communication and theatre performance affect our lives, society and culture. Central to our pursuit of understanding the complexities of communicating in the 21st Century is the study of narratives, rhetoric, and human relationships from the interpersonal to the public arena of live performance.  Our classes examine the ways that communication impacts that development of self, culture, and society.  We  focus on theoretical accounts of human interactions and the ways that those approaches to communication inform relationships in applied settings.  We explore a communicology of Theatre by addressing the challenges of performance and message in the context of the theatrical experience.  Students who wish to deepen their understandings of these issues may do so by pursuing degrees in Communication Studies and in Theatre.  The Department's co-curricular programs, the Mercer Debate Society and the Mercer University Theatre, actively involve students in intercollegiate debate competition and in theatrical performance.

 

 

Communication and Theatre Arts
The communication and theatre arts major examines the theory and practice of human

communication in interpersonal, organizational, and public settings. The study of communication enriches students' lives as well as providing attractive career paths.

 

Theatre
The theatre major consists of challenging courses in acting, directing, playwriting and design. The major takes advantage of the multi-disciplinary nature of the liberal arts tradition at Mercer. Combined with intensive practical training in production, the major is excellent preparation for graduate study or the professional industry.

 

Each of the above majors also offers a minor.

 

 

The Theatre
Mercer Theatre offers an intensive, hands-on experience in theatre production and performance. The Back Door Theatre provides an intimate setting for design and performance while larger venues, such as The Grand Opera House, offer large-scale production opportunities.  Mercer Theatre is committed to excellence in the arts. We embrace risk-taking and are committed to the development of theatre artists.

 

Mercer Debate Society
In the tradition of forensic and scholastic excellence, Mercer University supports a nationally competitive policy debate team and parliamentary debate team. Mercer Debate Society is open to the entire university community and provides the students with the opportunity for intercollegiate competition at national and regional tournaments.

 

National Honor Society
Students participate in an active chapter of the national honor society for communication and theatre arts.