Speech Communication

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science

Bruce Henderson, Associate Professor and Chair

Speech communication focuses on how, why, and with what effects people communicate through spoken language and associated nonverbal messages. Just as politics majors are concerned with political behavior and economics majors with economic behavior, the student of speech communication is concerned with communicative behavior. A major in speech communication develops competence in theoretical analysis and practical implementation of communication. For example, he or she develops skills in small group, public, and interpersonal communication; analyzes others' communication behaviors in a variety of settings; and probes such varied topics as nonverbal cues, literary analysis and interpretation, and leadership patterns.

Sophomore review

By the end of the second semester of the sophomore year, candidates for either degree must present a project for faculty review. The sophomore review provides a formal procedure for evaluating the student's communication competence in both oral and written contexts in order to determine whether that student should (1) proceed with his or her program as intended; (2) adjust that program to take better advantage of particular strengths or to gain strength in areas of weakness, or (3) select another major. The sophomore review is designed to evaluate specific communication competencies that the department feels are basic to successful completion of upper division courses. Without successful completion of the sophomore review, students cannot be certified for graduation in speech communication.

Requirements for Honors in Speech Communication

Departmental honors are awarded based on a senior project done under the sponsorship of a faculty member and its successful defense in an oral examination conducted by the faculty at large. A cumulative GPA of 3.50 is required. Students must propose the project by the end of the penultimate semester preceding graduation and must complete it by the middle of the semester they plan to graduate.

Forensic Program

The forensic program is an organized association (Forensic Association) whose purpose is to enable students to gain experience in all forensic activities. The association strives to promote the highest standards of oral argument and other communication skills. It sponsors events on campus (such as the annual Ithaca College Forensic Tournament) and represents the College at intercollegiate events. Ithaca College is home to the New York State Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, the national honorary forensic society. Contact the director of forensics for more information.

Requirements for the Major in Speech Communication --- B.A.

Credits in the major Credits

319-11000	Public Communication or
319-11500	Business and Professional Communication	3
319-12000	Communication, Culture, and Rhetoric	3
319-14000	Small Group Communication	3
319-14900	Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication	3
319-21500	Argumentation and Debate	3
319-23000	Analysis and Performance of Literature	3
	Total	18

Select 12 credits in applications in speech communication

319-22500	Health Communication (3)
319-24300	Interviewing (3)
319-31100	Advanced Public Communication (3)
319-32400	Rhetoric and Social Order (3)
319-33200	Folklore and Cultural Performances (3)
319-33300	Analysis and Performance of Prose (3)
319-33400	Group Performance of Literature (3)
319-33500	Analysis and Performance of Poetry (3)
319-34600	Gender and Interpersonal Communication (3)
319-34700	Intercultural Communication (3)
319-34800	Family Communication (3)
319-38900	Selected Topics (3)
319-39700	Directed Readings (3)
319-42900	Seminar in Public Communication (3)
319-43900	Seminar in Literary and Cultural Performance (3)
319-44900	Seminar in Interpersonal Communication (3)
319-45100	Communication and Social Influence (3)
319-49500	Internship (3)
	Total	12

Select 6 credits in theories of speech communication

319-32600	Classical Theories of Rhetoric (3)
319-32700	Modern and Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric (3)
319-35300	Language and Social Interaction (3)
319-45900	Seminar in Communication Theory (3)
	Total	6

Select 3 credits in research methods in speech communication

319-32800	Uses and Methods of Communication Criticism (3)
319-34100	Communication Research Methods (3)
	Total	3

Select 6 credits of electives in speech communication

At least 3 credits must be at level 3 or 4.

Total 1-6 credits in the major must be taken at level 4.

6

Unrestricted electives

	Total	75
	Total, B.A. in speech communication	120

B.A. majors have 75 elective credits, but they are encouraged to elect at least one 18-27 credit sequence outside the department as a minor concentration or cognate area.

The speech communication faculty has structured a number of outside cognate areas designed to help students develop a comprehensive liberal arts program and to become better equipped theoretically and practically to fulfill their career or graduate study goals. Majors should consult their advisers about these options.

No more than two grades below a C (2.00) will be accepted in courses toward fulfilling requirements of the major.

Minor in Speech Communication

A minor concentration in speech communication is offered to provide opportunities for students to develop a systematic knowledge of the discipline. Minors must be declared through consultation with the departmental chair. Minor advisers will guide students in course selection.

Requirements for the minor in speech communication

	Level-1 and 2 course electives	9
	Level-3 and 4 course electives	9
	Total	18

Minor in Health Communication

In addition to its general minor in speech communication, the Department of Speech Communication, in conjunction with the Department of Health Policy Studies and the Department of Organizational Communication, Learning, and Design, offers a specialized minor in health communication. Health communication focuses on communication processes and behaviors as they occur within the contexts of health promotion and health care. The minor is administered by the Department of Speech Communication and the Health Communication Steering Committee. For additional information, speak with the chair of the Department of Speech Communication.

Requirements for the minor in health communication

225-11100	Presentation Support Media	3
319-11000	Public Communication or
319-11500	Business and Professional Communication	3
319-22500	Health Communication or
640-22500	Health Communication	3
640-20500	Critical Health Issues	3

Human communication/practice

Choose one from the following

225-10800	Human Communication in Organizations
319-14000	Small Group Communication
319-14900	Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication
319-15000	Introduction to Communication Theory
319-21500	Argumentation and Debate
319-31100	Advanced Public Communication
319-34900	Advanced Interpersonal Communication
319-35300	Language and Social Interaction	3

Health policy/analysis

Choose one from the following

306-30400	Economics of Health Care
310-36500	The Politics of Health
314-23000	Medical Ethics
331-31400	Sociology of Health and Medicine
331-31600	Women and Health
339-38000	Medical Anthropology
640-25000	International Health Issues
640-30400	Economics of Health Care
662-15200	Introduction to Health Education	3

Applications/technology

Choose one from the following

225-25000	Computer Applications in Corporate Settings
225-27000	Slide Imaging: Techniques and Applications
640-35000	Communicating in Health Service Organizations
662-31700	Community Health
662-33000	Health Promotion in the Workplace
884-31200	Principles of Marketing	3
	Total	21