Communication and Speech Studies Major
Students majoring in Communication and Speech Studies will study theories of interpersonal and small group communication, techniques and practices related to effective speaking, argument and advocacy, and applications that can be applied to a variety of professional and organizational contexts. Communication and Speech Studies will help students better understand how humans connect and communicate in families, relationships, healthcare settings, court rooms and organizational contexts both small and large.
Coursework consists of communication theory including interpersonal and oral communication. A culminating capstone course engages students in original team-based research projects alongside faculty. Communication and Speech Studies students may seek employment opportunities in communication management, integrated campaigns, arts management, speech writing, social justice and advocacy roles, corporate training roles, sales, corporate communication, human resources, and graduate school in law or a variety of other disciplines.
Degree Requirements
Core requirements
For the core, students must take
COM 224,
SPE 310,
SPE 400,
SPE 425, and either
SPE 200 or
SPE 208 for a total of 20 credits.
| COM 224 | Media and Society | 4 |
| SPE 310 | Interpersonal Communication | 4 |
| SPE 400 | Public Messages and Technology | 4 |
| SPE 425 | Persuasion, Argumentation, and Conflict Resolution | 4 |
| | and | |
| | One of the following: | |
| SPE 200 | Oral Communication | 4 |
| SPE 208 | Speech for Business and the Professions | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 20 |
Electives
Students must choose courses from the following list for a total of at least 16 credit hours.
| COM 301 | Introduction to Organizational Communication | 4 |
| COM 327 | Communication and Law | 4 |
| COM 401 | Intercultural Communication | 4 |
| SPE 192 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| SPE 200 | Oral Communication | 4 |
| SPE 208 | Speech for Business and the Professions | 4 |
| SPE 212 | Global Speech, Human Rights and Social Justice | 4 |
| SPE 292 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| SPE 300 | Storytelling: Voice, Script and Movement | 4 |
| SPE 308 | Group Presentation and Leading Change | 4 |
| SPE 315 | Freedom of Speech and First Amendment Studies | 4 |
| SPE 330 | Special Topics in Speech | 2-4 |
| SPE 392 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| SPE 492 | Independent Study | 1-4 |
| THR 205 | Oral Performance of Literature | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
If either
SPE 200 or
SPE 208 is being used to fulfill a core requirement, that course may not be used to fulfill an elective requirement.
Total Credit Hours: 36