Department of Communications and Theater Arts

Practicums

Practicum courses are available in journalism, public relations, theatre, debate, radio and television. They are graded pass/fail and as already noted, do not count toward the completion of the major. Practicum courses are usually taken for 1 credit hour per semester. No more than 3 credit hours can be taken in any individual area, and only 4 credit hours of practicum courses can be counted toward your total credits necessary for graduation. 

While not appropriate for all CO students, the practicum courses do allow those students who are doing a great deal of hands-on work in a particular area to obtain credit for that work. Each practicum course requires the student to obtain permission of the instructor before enrolling in the course. Students will be given a syllabus and specific requirements of the practicum from the individual instructor involved with the course. 

The Radio Practicum is for students who are on staff at WJCU (88.7FM). Although it is designed mainly for students who have obtained a Director's position at the radio station, under special circumstances, other WJCU staff members have been allowed to take the course. 

Students who become involved with the JC-TV campus television organization can enroll in the Television Practicum. Channel 14 TV newscasts employ news anchors and field reporters, sports and weathercasters and several behind-the-scenes television production persons. 

The Debate Practicum is exclusively for students who are debating competitively for JCU. Debaters in the practicum engage in extensive preparation of all aspects of academic debate, including issue research, argument constructs, theory discussion and debate practice. Students are also required to travel to a minimum of three debate tournaments per semester. Although it is open to students regardless of previous debate experience, only those serious about competitive debate should enroll. 

To participate in the Journalism Practicum, you must be a staff member on The Carroll News, John Carroll's weekly student newspaper. Practicum credit can be earned in the areas of reporting, editing, advertising, sales/marketing, graphic design and photo journalism. 

The Public Relations Practicum allows students to work on specific public relations campaigns for various University or department programs. Students will be in charge of working with their client to develop a campaign plan, writing press releases, establishing media contacts and producing programs and brochures to publicize the program. Check with the advisor of PRSSA to learn more about what PR practicums are available. 

Theatre Practicum courses cover specialized skills needed for theatre performance, such as martial arts, stage combat, dance and voice. Often the practicum course employs an outside artist who is an expert in the particular area, so students interested in a practicum should talk with a theatre faculty member well in advance if when they wish to take the course. Like the other practicum courses, the Theatre Practicum is not designed for the casual student, but rather for someone seriously interested in theatre as a career.