Northland International University

The Speech Education emphasis blends practical education in communication theory, public speaking, performance studies, and dramatic productions.  Students in this emphasis will receive a solid philosophical foundation in their education courses, as well as the tools needed to minister with both Christian and secular drama. Outside of the classroom, speech education students may get involved in several annual performance opportunities such as two full–length dramas, performance hour, concert dramas, student dramatic productions, and more. Each speech education student will prepare a senior recital in their area of choice: public speaking, performance studies, or dramatic productions. During their final semester, speech education students will put their education and experience to work by participating in a ten-week student teaching program in a Christian school of their choice. This undergraduate program will equip students to teach as Christian educators or to pursue higher education after graduation.

Good communication has and always will be a necessary part of a healthy ministry or business. The Organizational Communication (Org Comm) Emphasis equips students with the skill set for competent communication and leadership within any ministry, business, or organization. The required courses focus on public speaking, small group communication, organizational communication, conflict management, strategic planning, problem-solving, and public relations. As a capstone experience, students will complete an internship at a ministry or business that allows them to refine their skills in a real-life situation. This emphasis also offers a substantial number of elective hours that can be used to develop other areas of interest such as performance studies, applied media, biblical studies, event management, or cross-cultural studies. Students who complete this program may choose to enter graduate school in communication, rhetoric, or biblical studies; students will also be equipped to enter professions such as director of communication, public relations, non-profit fundraiser, event coordination, and human resources.

As Marshall McLuhan said, our world is a "global village" as the internet continues to connect our once disconnected villages. Because of advances in technology and transportation, we are now able to interact with people in ways that were never possible making it imperative that we understand how to communicate with people from different cultures. The Cross-Cultural Emphasis will equip students for cross-cultural ministry and professions through courses that focus on cultural anthropology, organizational communication, world religions, and cross-cultural communication. Students enrolled in this program will complete an internship in another country--enabling them to refine their skills in a cross-cultural context. This emphasis also offers a substantial number of elective hours that can be used to develop other areas of interest such as teaching English as a second Language (TESL), applied media, biblical studies, or linguistics.

The Performance Studies and Theatre emphasis is designed to expose students to a wide range of performable literature such as Greek drama, Shakespearean plays and sonnets, classic and modern novels, short stories, poetry, and Scripture. Using these various forms of literature, the performance studies student will participate in many solo, duo, and group performances as they progress through the program. This emphasis will also expose students to the world of dramatic productions through courses such as acting, stage directing, and stagecraft (makeup, lighting, and stage design). The performance studies student will have ample opportunity to audition for university stage productions and perform in other extra-curricular dramatic functions. The program culminates in a senior capstone project. Performance studies students may choose one of the following options for this senior project: performing a piece of literature in a one-hour senior recital or directing a play. This undergraduate program will equip students to teach as Christian educators, to pursue a career in some aspect of theatre, or to pursue higher education after graduation.

The Applied Media emphasis includes five possible tracks: web development, digital media, video production, audio engineering, and marketing communication. Students in the Applied Media emphasis will choose to concentrate on two of these tracks in the course of their degree program. Each of the tracks has three levels (e.g., Web Development I, Web Development II, Web Development III) and will be offered in a practicum format. In other words, Applied Media students will not simply attend class as they would for most courses. Under the observation of specialists in each of the tracks, Applied Media students will complete cutting edge projects—projects that will not only immerse these students in relevant technology, but will also benefit the ministry of Northland directly (e.g., Northland’s website, Northland’s iPhone app, Northland’s promotional videos, Northland’s e-mail campaigns, etc.).