SPE - Speech

A course dedicated to the study of voice production, articulation, vocal expressiveness and provides an introduction to phonetics.

Develops and improves skills in speech composition and delivery by exposure to various speech types and situations, and concentrates on poise in group speaking situations.

A course designed to develop interpretive skills, vocal range and flexibility, understanding of language, and expressiveness of voice and body in the interpretation of literary forms.

Offers practice in briefings, interviews, problem-solving conferences and communication management. Covers techniques for speaking situations commonly encountered in business and the professions, and also includes formal and informal professional writing assignments.

This course is designed to explore the impact of public speaking in the changing course of history in the areas of human rights and social justice.  The focus of the course will be evaluation of exemplary speeches, how they were reported and received.  Students will analyze speeches by human rights activists and political leaders through in-class writing assignments, discussions, analysis and research.

This course includes practical application of ideas toward writing and performance of personal stories.

A project-oriented course that provides guided study in areas such as oral interpretation, readers' theater, public speaking and acting.

This course focuses on communication in relationships. The emphasis of the course is on the application of interpersonal communication theory, research, and practical skills to everyday life. We pay particular attention to the impact interpersonal communication has on individual identity, and personal, social, and professional relationships. In addition, this course examines trends that affect interpersonal communication in the 21st century: social diversity, the increasing number of long-distance relationships, and the influence of technology on interpersonal interaction.

This advanced public speaking skills course examines the constitutional, statutory and cases affecting communication professions and individuals.  Through research and performance students will analyze the historical context of free speech in the United States and international speech issues.  A broad range of issues will be considered, including blasphemy, commercial speech, free press, hate speech and privacy, other contexts such as the personal dissemination of speech (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.).  Activities include professional presentations, class discussion and academic writing.  Critical thinking and deductive reasoning will be highly utilized in this course.

Special Topics in Speech will offer instruction and experiences in specialized speech-related courses such as forensics, more advanced speech courses, and analysis of public political rhetoric speech.