Liberal Arts and Sciences: Speech Communication

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Speech Communication Courses. 29 to 36 hours.

Supporting Course Work. 12 to 19 hours approved by an adviser, for a total of 48 hours in the major.

Speech communication embraces various studies of the use of language and speech for social purposes. The field serves many students as preprofessional education and others as the core of a liberal education. The curriculum reflects concern for the theory, practice, and criticism of communication in varied settings: interpersonal interaction, public discourse, group and organizational communication, and some literary and artistic forms. The Department of Speech Communication offers two options within its major: rhetorical and communication theory, and interpretation. The major consists of a minimum of 48 hours distributed as follows:

1. A minimum of 29 hours in courses in speech communication, at least 15 of which must be at the 200 level or above, including a minimum of 12 hours in courses that carry advanced hours credit (almost all 300-level courses and specifically designated 200-level courses). See the LAS Student Handbook for a current list of advanced courses.

2. A minimum of 12 hours in supporting courses chosen from departments or programs whose offerings are appropriate to the option selected. A student must obtain the approval of a speech communication adviser for the selected program of courses.

3. A minimum of 7 additional hours in speech communication or supporting courses selected in consultation with a speech communication adviser.

OPTIONS

Interpretation Option

1. The student must take SPCOM 141, SPCOM 142, SPCOM 161, SPCOM 255, SPCOM 342, SPCOM 344, and SPCOM 345.

2. The student must elect at least 18 hours in literature courses approved by a speech communication adviser. These should include a course in Shakespeare, a course in American literature, a course in English literature before 1800, and a course in English literature from 1800 to the present.

3. Additional hours in speech communication and in supporting fields will be chosen in consultation with, and with the approval of, a speech communication adviser.

Rhetorical and Communication Theory Option

This option provides a broad acquaintance with theory, practice, and criticism in rhetorical and communication theory.

The student must take at least one speech communication course from each of the following areas:

1. Interpersonal and small group communication: SPCOM 113, SPCOM 211, SPCOM 230, SPCOM 313, SPCOM 332, SPCOM 335

2. Persuasion and social influence: SPCOM 213, SPCOM 221, SPCOM 223, SPCOM 320, SPCOM 321, SPCOM 324

3. Rhetorical theory: SPCOM 102, SPCOM 210, SPCOM 315, SPCOM 317, SPCOM 322

4. Criticism of public discourse: SPCOM 177, SPCOM 252, SPCOM 253, SPCOM 254, SPCOM 323, SPCOM 350, SPCOM 353

Additional hours in speech communication and in supporting fields will be chosen in consultation with, and with the approval of, a departmental adviser. The resulting program may be distributed among the four areas listed above, or it may be a specialized program organized around a theme or topic including other speech communication course offerings.

Departmental Distinction. Superior students are encouraged to consult the departmental honors adviser about requirements and opportunities for participation in the departmental honors program.

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