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.
Two major programs are offered in speech communication. A bachelor of science program prepares students to teach speech communication and supervise dramatic activities in secondary schools. A bachelor of arts program is recommended for students who want a broad liberal arts background as preparation for careers in public relations, business, government, social services, and other professions, or for graduate study. Students may be admitted to either of the programs following an interview with the speech communication department chair.
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 can not be certified for graduation in speech communication.
Departmental honors are awarded based on a senior thesis written 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 usually required; students may petition the department for exceptions. Students must propose the thesis by the end of the semester preceding graduation and must complete it by the middle of the semester they plan to graduate.
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 the New York State Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, the national honorary forensic society. Contact the director of forensics for more information.
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 |
319-15000 |
Introduction to Communication Theory |
3 |
319-21500 |
Argumentation and Debate or |
|
319-23000 |
Analysis and Performance of Literature |
3 |
319-22800 |
Introduction to Communication Inquiry |
3 |
319-31100 |
Advanced Public Communication |
3 |
319-32600 |
Classical Theories of Rhetoric |
3 |
319-32700 |
Modern and Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric |
3 |
319-35300 |
Language and Social Interaction |
3 |
319-42800 |
Research Methods: Rhetorical/Critical |
3 |
|
Total |
36 |
In addition to these 36 credits
|
9 credits of upper-level (3-4) speech communication electives are also required. |
9 |
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 |
319-15000 |
Introduction to Communication Theory |
3 |
319-21500 |
Argumentation and Debate, or |
|
319-23000 |
Analysis and Performance of Literature |
3 |
319-22800 |
Introduction to Communication Inquiry |
3 |
319-34100 |
Communication Research Methods |
3 |
319-34600 |
Interpersonal Communication and Sexual Politics or |
|
319-34700 |
Intercultural Communication |
3 |
319-34900 |
Advanced Interpersonal Communication |
3 |
319-35300 |
Language and Social Interaction |
3 |
319-45100 |
Communication and Social Influence or |
|
319-45300 |
Contemporary Communication Theory |
3 |
|
Total |
36 |
In addition to the 36 credits designated above
|
9 credits of upper-level (3-4) speech communication electives are also required. |
9 |
B.A. majors in either concentration 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 to 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.
Total required for degree |
120 |
No more than two grades below a C (2.00) will be accepted in courses toward fulfilling requirements of the major.
319-11000 |
Public Communication |
3 |
319-14000 |
Small Group Communication |
3 |
319-14900 |
Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication |
3 |
319-15000 |
Introduction to Communication Theory |
3 |
319-21500 |
Argumentation and Debate |
3 |
319-21900 |
Speech Communication Practicum |
1 |
319-23000 |
Analysis and Performance of Literature |
3 |
319-35300 |
Language and Social Interaction |
3 |
|
Upper-level electives (must be in speech communication, 319-) |
12 |
Total, speech communication |
34 |
Select two courses from:
305-10200 |
Stagecraft |
2 |
305-13100 |
Introduction to Acting I |
3 |
305-13200 |
Introduction to Acting II |
3 |
305-16000 |
Introduction to Theater |
3 |
305-36100 |
History of the Theater |
3 |
305-36200 |
History of the Theater |
3 |
305-37300 |
Introduction to Directing |
2 |
Total, theater arts |
4-6 |
See general statement on teacher education, p. 128, in addition to the requirements listed below.
327-21900 |
Elements of Tutoring |
3 |
330-21000 |
Educational Psychology (prerequisites: one of the following: 330-10300 through 330-12100, or either 330-20300 or 330-20400) |
3 |
327-30400 |
Special Methods of Teaching Speech Communication: Directing Speech Activities |
3 |
327-30800 |
Methods of Teaching on the Secondary Level |
3 |
327-49800 |
Professional Semester in Education |
12 |
395-34000 |
Social Foundations of Education |
3 |
Total, core education |
27 |
(Note: 327-41200 Problems in Teaching Seminar is recommended. It is the only course that may be taken concurrently with 327-49800.)
A tutoring experience is required before student teaching. This requirement may be fulfilled by taking 327-21900 or by a noncredit experience approved by the coordinator of student teaching.
|
Electives |
53-55 |
Total required for degree. |
120 |
No more than two grades below a C (2.00) will be accepted in courses toward fulfilling requirements of the major.
Students wishing to pursue additional provisional New York State certification in English 7-12 may do so by applying directly to the Office of Teaching, Teacher Certification Processing Unit, Cultural Education Center 5A11, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230; phone, 518-474-3901.
Current regulations state that the applicant must have completed 36 credits of collegiate study in the field of English. A maximum of 6 credits in the field of speech may be applied in partial satisfaction of this requirement. The remainder of the content should be satisfied with courses completed in the following areas: advanced writing; development; structure and function of the English language; improvement of reading; literature (English, American, and world) and literary materials for adolescents. In addition, the applicant must show evidence of having completed a college-supervised student teaching experience in English or one year of experience as an academic teacher of English.
Note that additional requirements may apply. Students are therefore advised to contact the New York State Education Department directly to obtain in writing a listing of the requirements that must be met in order to obtain certification in English 7-12 according to their respective timetables and planned courses of study.
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.
|
Level 1 and 2 course electives |
9 |
|
Level 3 and 4 course electives |
9 |
|
Total |
18 |
In addition to its general minor in speech communication, the Department of Speech Communication, in conjunction with the Department of Health Services Administration 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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
