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.

Identifies and studies the communication characteristics and cues that set leaders apart from average speakers. Through observation, research, performance and study, students will work to understand the characteristics central to leadership and those communication patterns common to group situations and opportunities. Application will include speeches, activities, academic writing and speaking; and experimental learning opportunities that strive for transformative growth and aptitude. Students will work with leaders inside and outside the classroom. 

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.

This course is designed for students interested in the management of speech communication in the context of technology. Students will study the theory and practice of formulating "public" messages for the technology channel of the communication model, and specific attention will be paid to the analysis of the receivers. The formation and critical thought behind the message, the difference between classical message, popular trends, credibility, ethos, pathos, and logos in the traditional speech-making event, and the general outcome of all communication model elements as well as the integration of technology into the public speech event will be studied. 

This course will train students to critically evaluate argument by studying types of argumentation, debate, proof, refutation; and learn the essential skills to prepare, organize and assess persuasive statements. In addition to theory and practical strategy, students will engage in various forms of conflict resolution, as well as mock debates, negotiations, and mediation practices. Students will also gain advanced public speaking skills and learn to critically evaluate arguments in real time.