< College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Speech Communication

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 three options within its major: rhetorical and communication theory, interpretation, and speech teaching option.

Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum

E-mail: spcomm@uiuc.edu

Web address for most current program requirements: http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/programs/SPCOM/f_SPCOM.shtml

Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required major and supporting course work equates to 48 hours including a minimum of 30 hours of Speech Communication courses.

General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

Departmental distinction: Superior students are encouraged to consult the departmental honors adviser about requirements and opportunities for participation in the departmental honors program. Select an option in consultation with your adviser.

Interpretation Option

HOURS     REQUIRED COURSES

30        A minimum of 30 hours in Speech Communication

           courses including the following:

          SPCOM 141-Oral Interpretation

          SPCOM 142-Group Oral Interpretation of Literature

          SPCOM 161-Fundamentals of Acting

          SPCOM 255-Directing: Script Preparation

          SPCOM 342-Oral Interpretation of Poetry

          SPCOM 344-Criticism of Oral Interpretation of 

           Literature

          SPCOM 345-Oral Interpretation of Prose Fiction

          10 additional hours, selected in consultation with 

           adviser

18        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

Rhetorical and Communication Theory Option

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

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS

30        Speech Communication courses including at least 

           one course from each of the following groups and 

           16-19 hours selected in consultation with an 

           adviser:

          Interpersonal And Small Group Communication:

          SPCOM 113-Group Discussion and Conference Leadership

          SPCOM 211-Business and Professional Speaking

          SPCOM 230-Interpersonal Communication

          SPCOM 313-Interpersonal Communication: Discussion

           and Interview

          SPCOM 332-Women and Language

          SPCOM 335-Interpersonal Communication Processes

          Persuasion and Social Influence: 

          SPCOM 213-Persuasion and the Arts

          SPCOM 221-Persuasion

          SPCOM 223-Argumentation: Theory and Practice

          SPCOM 320-Argumentation and Public Decision-Making

          SPCOM 321-Theories of Persuasion

          SPCOM 324-Persuasion in the Campaign and Movement

          Rhetorical Theory: 

          SPCOM 102-Introduction to Speech Communication



          SPCOM 210-The Rhetorical Tradition

          SPCOM 315-Greek, Roman, and Medieval Rhetorical 

           Theory

          SPCOM 317-Contemporary Rhetorical Theory

          SPCOM 322-Renaissance and Modern Rhetorical Theory

          Criticism of Public Discourse: 

          SPCOM 177-The Arts of Public Discourse

          SPCOM 252-The Rhetoric of Dissent

          SPCOM 253-Case Studies in Public Discourse

          SPCOM 254-Freedom of Speech and the Ethics of Speech

           Communication

          SPCOM 323-Rhetorical Criticism

          SPCOM 350-Selected Topics in the History and 

           Criticism of Public Discourse

          SPCOM 353-Criticism of Contemporary Public Discourse

12        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.

6         Additional hours in Speech Communication or 

           supporting courses selected in consultation with

           a speech communication adviser.

Speech Teaching Option

This option is designed to give the teacher a foundation in the areas of public speaking, communication, and theater arts. Students in this option are also required to complete a teacher education minor. This program is currently under revision and no students are currently being admitted.

E-mail: spcomm@uiuc.edu

Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/programs/SPCOM/f_SPCOM.shtml

Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required course work normally equates to 38-42 hours

General education: Students must consult with their program and teachers education advisers for current general education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

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

Prerequisites to transfer to the Teaching Option. EDPSY 211, E P S 201, SPCOM 101 or SPCOM 111 and 112 or SPCOM 120, and SPCOM 141 must be completed prior to transfer into the teaching option. At least nine hours of speech communication course credit should be completed before application to the teaching option.

In addition to the requirements for the option listed below, students must complete the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching (36 hours). See the College of Education section for requirements of the minor. Conferral of the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences prior to completion of the minor requires approval by petition to the LAS Student Affairs Office. While it is possible to complete this program in eight semesters, many students may require an extra semester or two.

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS

3-6       Select one group of courses:

          SPCOM 101-Principles of Effective Speaking

     or

          SPCOM 111-Verbal Communication, and 

          SPCOM 112-Verbal Communication 

     or

          SPCOM 120-Advanced Oral Communication

3         SPCOM 113-Group Discussion and Conference

           Leadership

3         SPCOM 223-Argumentation: Theory and Practice

3         SPCOM 141-Oral Interpretation

2-3       Select one from:

          SPCOM 142-Group Oral Interpretation of Literature

          SPCOM 255-Directing: Script Preparation

3         SPCOM 161-Fundamentals of Acting

3         SPCOM 230-Interpersonal Communication

3         SPCOM 247-Teaching of Speech

15        Additional hours chosen from the following areas 



           with the approval of the major adviser (nine hours

           must be in Speech Communication).

          Interpersonal, group, and organizational communication

          Oral interpretation

          Public discourse, persuasion, and argument

          Theory and criticism of rhetoric

          Theater

          Mass communication practice and criticism

Students must maintain a University and cumulative 2.5 grade point to remain in good standing.

For All Options:

Twelve hours advanced-level (300- or approved 200-level) courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.

At least 15 hours of the required 29 hours must be at the 200 level or above.

Teacher Education Minor in Speech

Teacher education minors are available only to students seeking to add additional teaching fields to their teaching majors.

E-mail: spcomm@uiuc.edu

Web address for most current program requirements:
http://www.las.uiuc.edu/students/programs/SPCOM/f_SPCOM.shtml

HOURS     REQUIREMENTS

3-6       Select one group of courses:

          SPCOM 101-Principles of Effective Speaking

     or 

          SPCOM 111-Verbal Communication, and

          SPCOM 112-Verbal Communication

3         Select one from:

          SPCOM 120-Advanced Oral Communication

          SPCOM 221-Persuasion

3         SPCOM 141/THEAT 180-Oral Interpretation

3         SPCOM 161/THEAT 170-Fundamentals of Acting

2-3       Select one from:

          SPCOM 255/THEAT 281-Directing: Script Preparation

          SPCOM 142/THEAT 181-Group Oral Interpretation of 

           Literature

3         SPCOM 247-Teaching of Speech

3         Select one from:

          SPCOM 113-Group Discussion and Conference Leadership

          SPCOM 230-Interpersonal Communication

20-24     Total

Students are advised that additional course work is necessary to teach middle grades six through eight. Consult the certification officer in 130 Education Building for additional information.

< College of Liberal Arts and Sciences