Course DescriptionsSPEECH
SPCH-105 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
3 Credits (Humanities Core)
Students will gain skill in public speaking and overcome visible nervousness when speaking in front of an audience. Students will learn how to structure informative and persuasive messages for the maximum effect and will experience using audio-visual aids effectively. Students will practice critical listening in learning to evaluate the content, delivery and style of speeches. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly)
SPCH-110 Interpersonal Communication
3 Credits (Humanities Core)
Students will learn basic theories of oral communication, studying the types of verbal exchanges each of us has every day. The course begins with an overview of the human use of communication, including perception (with emphasis on inter-gender and intercultural communication), listening, verbal and non-verbal language, and sending and receiving feedback. Students will practice communication skills in pairs and write extensively about their experiences. When a student’s curriculum requires HMDV-100, it should be completed before this course is taken. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly)
SPCH-150 Oral Interpretation
3 Credits
The course will focus on methods of analyzing prose, poetry, dramatic literature, and children’s literature for the purpose of performing literary selections orally. The emphasis will be upon communicating the beauty, meaning and emotional impact to others. Especially recommended for all public performers, education, English and recreation majors. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as THET-150.
SPCH-160 Argumentation and Debate
3 Credits
The course includes skill training in reasoning and researching as well as presenting and defending positions effectively. Recommended for students seeking careers in law, business, teaching, or politics. Students will be taught the appropriateness and ethics of good argumentation. They will learn how to build arguments using effective evidence and reasoning while learning to recognize the fallacies of weak arguments. Argumentation skills will be applied for effective delivery in academic, legislative, judicial, and/or political debates. Students will enhance their skills by being videotaped and being required to review those tapes and turn-in a self-evaluation. Prerequisite: SPCH-105. (3 hours weekly)
SPCH-205 Intermediate Public Speaking
3 Credits
Students will gain development of a marked degree of skill in the composition and delivery of various types of speeches. Students will obtain advanced training in speech delivery techniques in both a controlled classroom audience setting as well as presentations in corporate board rooms, orientation meetings, banquet halls, and public forums using complex and multi-media visual aids. Special emphasis on speeches related to the student’s major vocational area. Prerequisite: SPCH-105. (3 hours weekly)
SPCH-260 Voice and Diction
3 Credits
This course allows students to experience and understand the basic tools of communication, voice, and diction. Class exercises include relaxation, alignment, breathing, phonation, resonation, articulation, vocal range, and inflection. Students will develop a knowledge and sense of their own voice and speech expressing who they are and what they feel. Students will demonstrate mastery of the International Phonetic Alphabet through testing and a final memorized performance. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as THET-260.