SPEECH AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES
College of Humanities
(See Speech Communication in the Academic Programs section for information on degrees)
Undergraduate Courses
150 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3) [GE]
Introduction to the nature of communication in interpersonal contacts, group interactions and formal speaking. Application of basic theories through critically evaluated exercises. Emphasis on skill development in listening, speech preparation and oral presentation. [CAN SPCH 4]
160 Introduction to Communication Studies (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or consent of instructor. Survey of major concepts and contributors to communication studies; especially in the core areas of rhetorical and communication theory, speech science theory, communication and social criticism, and communication and human interaction.
200 Voice and Articulation Improvement (4)
Development of skill in voice, articulation, and pronunciation; fundamentals of voice and speech training. Projects in and out of class designed to meet the individual needs for improvement.
250 Argumentation and Advocacy (4) [GE]
Introduction to basic argumentation theory: analysis of issues, validity and fallacy in inductive and deductive reasoning, forms of argument, and evaluation of evidence. Critical analysis of arguments surrounding selected social, political, and economic issues in public controversy. [CAN SPCH 6]
300 Rhetoric and Communication Theory (4) [GE]
A summary and analysis of rhetorical and communication theory from Aristotle to the present. A cognitive synthesis of important trends including historical methodologies and contemporary practices.
301 Form and Function of the Spoken Word (4)
Introduction to the behavioral and humanistic characteristics underlying the development and use of speech and language communication. For students in speech communication, theatre arts, foreign languages, English as a foreign language.
302 Communication and Social Process (4) [GE]
Process of institutional and societal decision making. Analysis of communication patterns of status quo to maintain itself in milieu of conflict and change. Theories of conflict resolution, persuasion and propaganda, political leadership and institutional authority. (Also offered as S S 451.)
303 Communication and Human Interaction (4)
Basic introduction to the nature of human communication from its intrapersonal beginnings through the dynamics of the interpersonal exchange.
321 Communication Theory (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or consent of instructor. An overview of communication theories and research. Such topics as communication models, verbal and nonverbal symbols, systems theory, symbolic interactionism, persuasion/compliance-gaining, and communication in various contexts are included.
331 Verbal and Nonverbal Symbols (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent. The nature of verbal and nonverbal symbol systems in spoken language, the purposes that symbols serve in communication, and the ways that symbol systems vary across communication groups.
341 Rhetorical Theory (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or consent of instructor. A survey of theoretical principles of rhetoric. Includes topics such as attitude formation and change, audience and audience analysis, ethics, appeals, invention, disposition, style, argument structures, strategies, topoi, criticism, humor, and metaphor.
350 Improving Spoken English (4)
The characteristics of verbal usage distinguishing major regional, social, and foreign dialects of American English. For students who want to develop alternate or additional verbal patterns more consistent with those of the larger community and for non-native speakers of English. May be repeated once. (Formerly SPCH 205.)
351 Public Speaking (4)
Principles of effective extemporaneous speaking; practice in preparation and delivery of speeches for different occasions; emphasis on delivery, style, organization, selection of materials. Class criticism of student speeches. Designed for the general student.
352 Women and Words (4) [GE]
Exploration of language as applied to and used by women. Study of women's intonation patterns, non-verbal behavior, conversational style, syntactic forms and use of personal and public space.
353 Speech for the Classroom Teacher (4)
Principles and practices in the speech needs of the teacher. Designed to improve speech habits of the prospective teacher; assist prospective teachers in acquiring basic, usable techniques for speech improvement in the classroom.
354 Scientific Discourse (4) [GE]
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent or consent of instructor. The rhetoric of scientific discourse aimed at understanding principles of scientific description, both verbal and mathematical, empirical and experimental methods, scientific argument, explanation, and the nature of physical theory. Students develop skills in expressing scientific concepts to popular audiences.
362 Introduction to Oral Interpretation (4) [GE]
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or consent of instructor. Introduction to oral interpretation of literature, including excerpts from prose, poetry, and public speeches. Emphasis on analysis of literature, script development, and performance skills.
363 Oral Interpretation of the First Person Voice (4) [GE]
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent. Focuses on theory and principles of reading literature aloud which is written in the first person voice (i.e., monologue, dramatic poetry, etc.) to illuminate the special properties of this literature when translated from the printed page to the spoken word.
365 Argumentation and Debate (4)
Methods of analysis and verbal formulation of the strongest possible case for and against a position or a point of view; the support of that position through evidence and inference; practical application in debate and public speaking.
366 Persuasion (4)
Factors involved in influencing audience attitudes through public speeches. Designed to increase critical awareness of oral persuasion as used in our society and to clarify ethical standards of responsibility of the persuader.
367 Research in Debate (3)
Extensive research on the current intercollegiate debate topic. Concentration is on research methodologies with emphasis on logical and ethical use of evidence, and skills needed for library, governments, and legal research. May be repeated once.
368 Forensics (2) [GE]
On-campus and intercollegiate forensics activities including debate, oratory, extemporaneous speaking, and discussion. May be repeated once.
372 Performance Project (4) [GE]
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent. The study of human communication through the performance of materials gathered from everyday life. Students learn techniques for collecting naturally occurring conversations and conducting oral history interviews which then are adapted for individual and group performances.
400 Verbal and Nonverbal Symbols (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent. The nature of verbal and nonverbal symbol systems and their practical application in spoken English, the purposes that symbols serve in communication, and the ways that symbol systems vary across communication groups.
410 American Phonetics (4)
Speech sounds in American English, their symbolization, production and characteristics; application to teaching of speech and speech correction; phonetic and phonemic alphabets and practice in broad transcription.
415 Introduction to Speech Science (4) [GE]
Prerequisite: SPCH 405 or 410 or consent of instructor. Backgrounds and current research relating to the physical aspects of speech signals, their production and reception. Methods, techniques, and measurements employed in experimental studies in the speech and hearing sciences.
440 Political Communication (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or consent of instructor. A study of American political communication in terms of rhetorical structure, substance, strategy, and style. Special emphasis on analysis of contemporary political campaign rhetoric and communication.
441 Rhetoric of American Dissenters (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Analysis of the rhetoric (speeches, pamphlets, etc.) of selected American dissenters from colonial times to the present. Focus on issues of religious freedom, women's rights, racial equality, and industrial democracy. Exploration of cultural values implicit in the arguments of dissenters and mainstream reactions.
442 Vietnam: Rhetoric and Realities (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Overview of major issues, arguments, and voices from the Vietnam War era and its aftermath.
443 Rhetoric of Feminist Movements (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Examination of the impact of women leaders of single and multiple issue campaigns on American social policy. Following an overview of social movement and rhetorical criticism literature, students apply theoretical constructs to case studies of radical American women leaders.
444 Rhetoric of the Media (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent or consent of instructor. An exploration of the rhetorical dimensions of the major communications technologies through history--from oral culture through literacy and print to radio and television. Emphasis on social and cultural effects of each medium, its impact on human consciousness and behavior.
446 Rhetoric of the Presidential Debates (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent. The "one on one" debate model, as used in political campaigns and, more specifically, presidential elections. Specific rhetoric, argumentation, and communication theory is employed to analyze and evaluate the effect of this model.
447 The Rhetoric of Early American Dissenters (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent. Analysis of the rhetoric of American dissenters from colonial times to the turn of the nineteenth century. Focus on issues of colonialism, religious and individual freedoms, racial equality and slavery, women's suffrage, equal rights, industrial democracy, and unionization efforts.
448 The Rhetoric of Twentieth Century American Dissenters (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent. Analysis of the rhetoric of selected American dissenters during the twentieth century. Focus on issues of peace and war, racial equality, women's rights, nuclear and environmental issues. Explorations of cultural values implicit in the arguments of dissenters and mainstream reactions.
461 Issues in Free Speech (4) [GE]
Examination of issues and cases involving freedom of expression. Focus on historical and current controversies involving national survival, public morality, law and order, academic freedom, privacy. Examination of symbolic and non-verbal free speech issues.
496 Special Studies in Communication and Social Criticism (4)
Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. Intensive study of selected topics in communication and social criticism. May be repeated when topics vary.
502 Interpersonal Communication (4) [GE]
Analysis of purposes that motivate interpersonal communication, characteristics of the verbal and non-verbal message forms employed and effects of these patterns of interaction upon the persons involved.
503 Sex Roles and Communication (4) [GE]
Analysis of stereotypical female/male roles as elements of communicative style. Examination of communication barriers between sexes and alternatives to stereotypes.
508 Children's Communication (4)
Children's ability to use language appropriately in interpersonal and group situations is examined as a set of "communication acts." Five types of communication acts are: informing, persuading, feeling, ritualizing, and imagining.
512 Nonverbal Communication (4)
Emerging theory and research on nonverbal communication. Interpersonal space, facial displays, body posturing, paralanguage, and costume. Exercises to increase individual awareness of nonverbal messages and individual range of nonverbal expression.
515 Family Communication (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or consent of instructor. A systems approach to the study of family communication patterns. Topics include: relational communication, family themes and rules, roles, power, decision-making, conflict, and responses to change and stress. Students analyze their own families of origin.
516 Special Studies in Interpersonal Communication (4)
Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. Intensive study of selected topics in interpersonal communication. May be repeated when topics vary.
521 Group Discussion (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent. Principles of group discussion; influence of group structure, norms, roles, leadership and climate on the processes of communication and collaborative decision-making. Evaluation of group members and leaders.
522 Communication Analysis of Organizations (4)
Analysis of communication processes in professional, industrial, community and social organizations. Emphasis on communication consultation in developing viable organizational systems. Field work in description and analysis of organizational communication problems.
525 Sexual Identity and Communication (4) [GE]
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or ENG 114 or consent of instructor. Focuses on emergence of sexual identity and orientation in social interaction. Explores how interpersonal and small group communication shapes the sexual self through private discourse—labeling, defining, self-disclosing—and public dialogue—community organizing and advocacy.
530 Communication in Organizational Training (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 and 522 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Focuses on communication techniques necessary for successful training in organizations. Provides the student with basic skills in assessing training needs, designing programs, and evaluating results.
531 Conflict Resolution (4) [GE]
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or consent of instructor. Study of communication and conflict in two-person, small group, and organization settings. Conflict resolution and leadership skills development.
532 Interviewing Methods in Organizational Settings (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or consent of instructor. An examination of the interview as a complex communication process focusing on the development of patterns of questions and appropriate response strategies. Rhetorical analysis of a variety of interviews in professional contexts.
533 Communication and Empowerment in Organizations (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 522 or consent of instructor. Introduction to the process of empowerment as it relates to human communication; specifically, introduction to various conceptualizations of "empowerment," existing research treatment(s) of the topic, and communicative strategies for individual, group or team, and organizational empowerment.
536 Special Studies in Group and Organizational Communication (4)
Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. Intensive study of selected topics in group and organizational communication. May be repeated when topics vary.
541 Intercultural Communication (4) [GE]
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or ENG 114 or consent of instructor. Examination of communicative encounters among people of different cultural and ethnic groups. At least one of the groups studied represents a non-European tradition. Differences in communicative rules, norms, roles, and their underlying cultural assumptions/values are explored along with ways of enhancing such encounters.
542 Intracultural Communication (4) [GE]
Analysis and comparison of communicative styles and forms within and among cultural groups in the United States. Particular attention given to the communicative behavior of non-dominant groups such as blacks, Asians, Chicanos, gays, women, the aging and disabled.
550 Classical Rhetoric (4)
Rhetorical theory, concepts and practices of Pericles, Demosthenes, Isocrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and Quintilian.
561 Introduction to General Semantics (4)
Symbols: how they structure and order thought (meanings and values) and influence behavior. Korzybski's basic principles of non-identity, non-allness, levels of abstraction, inferences, extensional devices, etc., and considerations of semantic reactions to contemporary rhetoric.
562 Ecological Factors in Communication (4)
An exploration of the effects of environmental factors on the pattern, frequency, form and content of human interaction. Exterior and interior space variables are considered.
563 Conversational Analysis (4)
Examination of research findings on conversations, including the study of such topics as: pragmatic rules, power, manipulation, topic management, politeness, emotional discourse, rituals, and storytelling. Methods for collecting, transcribing, and analyzing naturally occurring conversations.
570 Human Communication and New Technologies (4)
A consideration of how certain new technologies such as teleconferencing, telecommunicating, computer conferencing, videotexts, electronic mail, etc., will affect human communication. Issues of trust, synchrony, privacy, and electronic style are discussed and researched in relation to the new technologies.
661 Communication Research Strategies (4)
Provides the student with basic empirical research skills in communication. The design of studies, computer analysis of data, and preparation of research reports are learned through theory and practice. Practical applications of research are emphasized. Paired with SPCH 771. Students completing SPCH 661 may not take SPCH 771 later for credit.
662 Communication Criticism (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 150 or equivalent. Survey of specific methods of rhetorical criticism and examination of the forms of rhetorical acts. Topics include: the purpose and process of criticism, traditional approach, dramatic approach, fantasy theme approach, narrative approach, cultural approach, and content analysis.
681 Voice and Articulation for the Performer (4)
Development of skill in articulation and vocal production for careers in lecturing, acting, broadcasting; special attention to overcoming vocal abuse and faulty articulation habits which are barriers to effective and creative oral expression.
685 Projects in the Teaching of Speech Communication (4)
Prerequisites: SPCH 150 or equivalent and consent of instructor. Individual projects under faculty supervision undertaken in conjunction with teaching assignments in undergraduate courses. Examination of the aims and methods of teaching communication. Experience in lecturing and/or leading class discussions. May be repeated three times for credit; only eight units applicable to speech communication major.
688 Assessment in English Language Arts (1)
Prerequisites: senior standing and interview with English single subject credential adviser. Students learn to do performance assessment through being assessed for their strengths and weaknesses in the following areas of English language arts: oral and written performance, response to literature, applied language concepts. Required for students entering the Single Subject Credential in English. (Also offered as ENG 688.)
695 Speech Communication/Humanities Internship (4)
Supervised internship in a cooperating agency or company. On-going journal and conferences with the coordinator required. May be repeated three for credit; only eight units applicable to speech communication major. (Also offered as CHS 695.)
697 Performance Practicum in Communication (4)
Prerequisite: SPCH 352 or 362 or 363 or 372 or equivalent. Advanced practicum in the oral interpretation of literature, such as poetic, narrative, and dramatic texts, and oral traditions, such as personal experience stories, conversations, and oral histories. Emphasis is on gaining experience in solo and ensemble performance outside the classroom. May be repeated once for credit upon approval of adviser.
699 Special Study (1-3)
Prerequisites: upper division standing, consent of major adviser, and supervising faculty member. Supervised study in speech is planned and completed under the direction of a member of the department. May be repeated for credit. Enrollment by petition.
Speech and Communication Studies graduate courses