3540 Speech

Programs Offered:

1. Bachelor of Arts in Speech
   • Concentration in Public and Political Communication
   • Concentration in Communication across the Lifespan
2. Minor in Speech

Department of Communication
662 One Park Place South
404/413-5600
communication.gsu.edu

David Cheshier, Chair
Greg Lisby, Associate Chair
Doug Barthlow, Undergraduate Adviser

Speech communication explores the creation, transmission, analysis, and impact of differing kinds of spoken messages as they occur among individuals, groups, organizations, and cultures. Speech courses examine such areas as interpersonal and nonverbal communication, persuasion and argumentation, rhetorical criticism, public address, communication development, and communication disorders. The concepts and skills provided by the major in speech are useful in a wide variety of occupations, including business, law, politics, teaching, the ministry, and public relations, that require an understanding of the dynamics of human communication and proficiency in oral expression.

Credit for special projects and internships is available in all majors and concentrations. Internships enable students who already have completed the appropriate course work and have met departmental eligibility criteria to take advantage of expertise in a variety of professional sectors in the metropolitan area and to tailor programs to their specific career goals.

Program Degree Requirements

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see section 3030) and the University Degree Requirements (see section 1400).

B.A. in Speech

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major Field (18)

1. Lang 1002 Elementary Foreign Language II (3)
   (See "Foreign Language Requirement for B.A. and B.I.S. Majors," previously described.)
2. Required Courses (minimum grade of C required) (11)
   • Spch 1000 Human Communication (2)
   • Spch 1500 Public Speaking (3)
   • Spch 2650 Interpersonal Communication (3)
   • Spch 2710 Argumentation (3)
3. Select two additional courses at the 1000/2000 level listed in Area B (Institutional Options) of the undergraduate core curriculum. (4) Courses can be drawn from the areas of Critical Thinking, Perspectives on Comparative Culture, or Scientific Perspectives on Global Problems.

Area G: Major Courses (24)

A grade of C or higher is required in all major courses.

1. Required Courses to fulfill CTW requirement (6)
   • Spch 3250 Persuasion (3)
   • Spch 4800 Communication and Diversity (3)
2. Major Requirements (9)
   • Spch 3050 Speech Communication Research Methods (3)
   • Spch 4400 Development of Communication and Language Across the Lifespan (3)
   • Spch 4450 Rhetorical Theory and Criticism (3)
3. Area Concentration: Choose three courses from one area of concentration. (9)
   1. Public and Political Communication Concentration
      Select three courses (9)
      • Spch 3010 Advanced Public Speaking (3)
      • Spch 3060 Communication Law and Regulation (3)
      • Spch 3510 Principles of Debate (3)
      • Spch 3690 Honors Readings (1-3)
      • Spch 4460 Topics in Public Communication Theory and Research (3)
      • Spch 4480 Political Campaign Communication (3)
      • Spch 4500 Visual Communication (3)
      • Spch 4510 Media and Politics (3)
      • Spch 4520 African-American Rhetoric (3)
      • Spch 4530 Voices of African-American Feminists (3)
      • Spch 4540 Mediation and Conflict Resolution (3)
      • Spch 4880 Honors Thesis: Writing (3-6)
      • Spch 4890 Special Project (3)
      • Spch 4980 Internship (3)
   2. Lifespan Communication Concentration
      Select three courses (9)
      • Spch 3000 Phonetics (3)
      • Spch 3450 Non-Verbal Communication (3)
      • Spch 3690 Honors Readings (1-3)
      • Spch 3750 Intercultural Communication (3)
      • Spch 4410 Communication Disorders (3)
      • Spch 4470 Topics in Interpersonal Communication Theory and Research (3)
      • Spch 4475 Communication of Aging (3)
      • Spch 4490 Communication and Gender (3)
      • Spch 4540 Mediation and Conflict Resolution (3)
      • Spch 4880 Honors Thesis: Writing (3-6)
      • Spch 4890 Special Project (3)
      • Spch 4980 Internship (3)

Area H: Minor and Additional Courses

1. Majors in the Department of Communication's three B.A. programs must select a minor consisting of at least 15 hours of courses in a discipline within the Department of Communication other than the major (journalism, film/video, or speech) or in another academic department/school/institute that offers a baccalaureate degree. At least nine semester hours of minor courses must be at the 3000 level or above, unless otherwise specified by the minor-granting department/school/institute. A grade of C or higher is required in all minor courses.
2. Additional courses from departments/schools/institutes other than the major must be taken to complete a minimum of 120 semester hours exclusive of 1000/2000-level physical education or military science courses.

Minor in Speech

Students who wish to minor in one of the department's three programs must take 15-18 hours in the specific area, including at least nine semester hours at the 3000 level or above. Students taking more than 15 hours in courses in the specific area may count the additional hours toward their electives or may consider completing a double major. (A grade of C or higher is required in all courses counting toward the minor.)