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Course Descriptions for Speech

SPE 1010-3 Public Speaking (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: minimum performance standard scores on the reading and writing preassessment placement tests
This course acquaints students with the basic theory of the art of public speaking and provides experience in the preparation and delivery of short talks. (General Studies-Level I, Communications)

SPE 1500-3 Introduction to Communication Disorders (3 + 0)
This course is designed to provide basic information on speech-language pathology and audiology as professions introducing the study of normal and disordered speech, language and hearing. This course is useful for students interested in professions of education, nursing, physical or occupational therapy, and psychology, as well as speech-language pathology and audiology.

SPE 1610-3
(EDU 1610, MDL 1610) American Sign Language I (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: minimum performance on the reading and writing preassessment placement test
This course will provide students with a basic understanding of American Sign Language and beginning conversational skills. Students will be introduced to Deaf culture. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: SPE, EDU or MDL.

SPE 1620-3
(MDL 1620) American Sign Language II (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: SPE/MDL/EDU 1610 or permission of instructor
This course is a continuation of SPE 1610 emphasizing expressive language as well as increasing competence with receptive language skills. The course continues to build vocabulary and familiarity with the complex grammar (morphology and syntax) of this visual language. The Deaf experience and culture is integrated throughout. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: SPE or MDL. (General Studies-Level I, Communications)

SPE 1700-3 Communication Theory (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
This course reviews the research, theoretical assumptions and model of the oral communication processes. It is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the basis of oral communication as patterned human behavior.

SPE 1710-3 Interpersonal Communication (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: minimum performance scores on the reading and writing preassessment placement tests
This is a basic skill course in the art of communicating with people. This class provides students with both the exposure to theory and the opportunity to practice developing basic communication skills including listening, perceiving, asserting, nonverbal and verbal language sensitivity and problem-solving tactics. The purpose of this course is to increase students' skill and knowledge in interpersonal communication theory/concepts. (General Studies-Level I, Communications)

SPE 1730-3 Listening and Interviewing Communication Skills (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
This course is designed to teach students two associated communication skills: listening and interpersonal interviewing. Both content (informational) and empathetic (feeling) listening skills will be emphasized. Seven situational types of interviews will be explored in the course using listening techniques as the primary communication skill.

SPE 2110-3 Discussion Methods (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
This performance course deals largely with the processes of decision-making in small groups and conferences: research and investigation, analysis of social problems, use of evidence and argument and social interaction among participants.

SPE 2160-3 Organizational Communication Theory (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 and SPE 1700 or permission of the instructor
This course is designed to acquaint students with relevant and current theoretical models of organizational communication systems and cultures. The course materials include formal and informal structures, group communication processes, external organizational communication systems, informational effectiveness and ethical considerations.

SPE 2400-3 Introduction to Radio and Television Broadcasting (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
This course focuses on the evolution of broadcasting, its organization, its function, the personnel involved, and the effect broadcasting has on its audience.

SPE 2530-3 Voice Science: Pathology and Technology (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
This course is an introductory course in scientific vocabulary, acoustics and current technology in diagnosis and analysis of voice function. There will be exposure to pathological conditions and techniques for remediating those conditions.

SPE 2710-3 Team and Group Communication (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
This course is designed to teach students the dynamics of group process and the special skills required to communicate successfully with many types of difficult group members.

SPE 2720-3 Nonverbal Communication (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 and SPE 1700
Designed to explore the nature of the so-called "silent language" of the human communication process, this course focuses on the classes of nonverbal communication, their impact on human perception, patterned behavior in groups, organizational systems and cultures.

SPE 2730-3 Communication and Conflict (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1710 or permission of instructor
This course develops strategies for managing conflict dynamics in communication interactions at work, home and school. Effort is made to pinpoint individual communication conflict styles and to assess their effectiveness in conflict interaction.

SPE 2770-3
(WMS 2770) Gender and Communication (3 + 0)

Prerequisites: SPE 1010/SPE 1710 or permission of instructor; ENG 1010 and satisfaction of Level I Communication requirement
This course is designed to test the students' ability to inventory their own culturally derived gender communication patterns, especially those in public speaking; analyze those patterns, contrast their own resulting functional and dysfunctional gender communication behaviors; relate those behaviors and their outcomes to their personal work and professional lifestyles; and formulate and test new behaviors based on increased gender communication awareness. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: SPE or WMS. (General Studies-Level II, Arts and Letters)

SPE 2890-3 Language Acquisition (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 and ENG 1020 or permission of instructor; PSY 1800 highly recommended
This course allows students to investigate theories of language development and describe language developmental patterns in toddler, preschool and school-age children. The interrelationship between linguistic, cognitive and social competencies in communicative development will be explored. Students will gain knowledge concerning the diversity of normal communicative development found in a pluralistic society.

SPE 3010-3 Advanced Public Speaking (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 and SPE 2110 or permission of instructor
Preparation, presentation and appraisal of speeches on contemporary subjects. Advanced inquiry into rhetorical analysis, the intensification of ideas and style, with emphasis upon persuasive speaking. Attention will be given to specialized forms of public address.

SPE 3050-1 Intercollegiate Forensics (0 + 2)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
A course for those students participating extensively in intercollegiate speech activities. A maximum of four credits in this course may be applied toward a degree.

SPE 3080-3 Great American Speakers (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 and satisfaction of Level I General Studies course requirements
A study of selected American speakers, this course critically examines the primary theses developed in major American speeches. This critical analysis includes a rhetorical examination of the rhetorical skills of the speaker based on the persuasive models of Aristotle, Burke and Griffin, etc. Estimates of the influence of such great speeches on public policy will be surveyed as a measurement of the success of such oral discourse. (General Studies-Level II, Arts and Letters)

SPE 3090-3 Argumentation and Advocacy (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
Acquaints the student with the complexity of social problems, methods of research, methods of logical analysis and development, construction of briefs and techniques of refutation. Includes practice in preparation and oral analysis of selected arguments.

SPE 3100-3 Business and Professional Speaking (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
This course focuses on the processes involved in effective speaking in business and industry with emphasis on preparing and delivering presentations to organizational audiences including the use of audio-visual materials as they relate to the communication process in organizations at the interpersonal level. Students will polish communication skills in preparation for some of the unique speaking situations found in modern organizations.

SPE 3110-3 Organizational Leadership (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 and either SPE 2110 or SPE 2710
This course is designed to acquaint students with the major theories of organizational leadership and the functional dimensions of leadership strategy in specific organizational systems.

SPE 3130-3 Conference Leadership (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 and SPE 3110, or permission of instructor
This course provides students with knowledge of the theories of group task and process behaviors and the practical application of that theory in the actual production of a conference. The course focuses on the motivation of volunteers and the appropriate styles of leadership when authority is not granted to the conference director.

SPE 3160-3 Communication in Politics (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 or permission of the instructor
This course acquaints students with the complexities of communication issues and strategies used in and by a variety of governmental bodies. This course emphasizes communication patterns in government institutions, the role and strategies of public influence and change on policy creation, the nature and ethics of campaign strategies and propaganda tactics, the responsibility of media in public decision-making, and the impact of communication leadership and group dynamics on the resolution of political and social issues.

SPE 3170-3 Interpersonal Negotiation (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1700 and either SPE 1710 or SPE 2710
This course is designed to teach students the theory and specific negotiation skills needed for resolving interpersonal group and organizational conflict. These skills include identification of conflict issues, fractionating of issues, positioning methods, questioning tactics, measuring negotiated consequences, identifying a negotiated style, managing difficult people, mediating theory and tactics, third-party interventions and negotiating frames. Both lecture/discussion and simulated case studies are used to illustrate negotiation principles.

SPE 3430-3 Radio-Television Announcing (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 2400 or permission of instructor
This is an advanced course in "on air" operations designed to meet the specific needs of the broadcaster and the radio-television-film announcer. Instruction is designed to develop pleasing and persuasive verbal-vocalnonverbal communication as a means of improving a variety of presentations. Special emphasis will be placed on standard American usage of speech and language.

SPE 3440-3 Television Production (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 2400 or permission of instructor
This course is an introduction to television production, operation of broadcast studio equipment, vocabulary, and experience in direction of multi-camera productions. Specific attention is focused on pre-production, including identification of audience by age, gender, and culture. Students will participate in production activities and procedures on a variety of projects.

SPE 3450-3 Broadcast Journalism: Radio (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: JRN 2100 or permission of instructor
This course is an introduction to radio news writing. Students learn how broadcast news copy differs from print journalism. It involves learning the techniques of writing in the broadcast style used in newsrooms.

SPE 3460-3 Audio Production (1 + 4)
Prerequisite: SPE 2400 or permission of instructor
This course is a hands-on practical guide for beginning and intermediate recording engineers, producers, musicians, and audio enthusiasts offering experiences in a variety of recording situations. Students will learn how to judge recordings and to use the equipment available to improve them.

SPE 3470-3 Evolution of Cinematics as Art (2 + 2)
Prerequisite: SPE 2400 or permission of instructor
A course designed to explore the development of selected historical, technical and aesthetic elements of filmic expression from the point of view of the creative and perceptual process emphasizing the history of the motion picture as presented through the films and ideas of several important cinematographers.

SPE 3480-3 Workshop in Radio Production (1 + 4)
Prerequisites: SPE 2400 and SPE 3430, or six hours of equivalent broadcasting courses and/or experience, or permission of the instructor
This course provides students with an opportunity to produce radio programs for audiences for use on commercial and/or public radio.

SPE 3500-3
(BIO 3500) Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism (3 + 0)

Prerequisite: BIO 2310 or permission of instructor
Corequisite: BIO 3501 or SPE 3501
This course examines the anatomy and physiology underlying human communication. Specific systems studied include respiration, phonation, articulation, audition and the nervous system. Students explore how anatomical and physiological deficits relate to communicative pathology. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: SPE or BIO.

SPE 3501-1
(BIO 3501) Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism Laboratory (0 + 2)

Prerequisite: BIO 2310 or permission of instructor
Corequisite: BIO 3500 or SPE 3500
This laboratory provides experiential learning to support the content presented in SPE/BIO 3500, Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism. Credit will be granted for only one prefix: SPE or BIO.

SPE 3540-3 Phonetics and Language Sample Analysis (3 + 0)
Pre or Corequisite: SPE 2890
Designed to provide students with the skill in language sample analysis needed to work with clinical populations. Students will gain an understanding of the science of speech sounds and utilize the International Phonetic Alphabet in transcribing spoken language. Students will analyze oral language samples using semantic, syntactic, pragmatic and phonological analysis procedures.

SPE 3570-3 Diagnostic Procedures in Communication Disorders (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 2890
Pre or Corequisite: SPE 1500 or SPE 3600
This course introduces the purposes and principles of diagnostic assessment in communication disorders. Students learn to examine and evaluate various assessment procedures based on reliability and validity issues. This course addresses clinical interviewing, test administration, and communication and report writing skills. Students engage in field observation and assess speech/language development and hearing status of children.

SPE 3580-3 Speech Disorders: Articulation and Stuttering (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 3500 and SPE 3540 or permission of instructor
This course considers common speech disorders and the development of articulation and phonological skills. It covers etiological factors, assessment techniques, and intervention principles used to manage articulation and stuttering deficits. It also introduces augmentative and alternative communication.

SPE 3590-3 Classroom Intervention for Communication Disorders (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SED 3600 and SPE 2890
This course allows students to explore the speech, language, and hearing disorders that affect school-age children. Students learn identification, assessment, and intervention methods designed to help children and adolescents with communication disorders and differences achieve academic competencies. Students observe children with communication disorders in school settings.

SPE 3600-3 Audiology I (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
This course is designed as a study of acoustics, the auditory system, perception of acoustic stimuli and basic audiometric assessment. The student will be introduced to a number of peripheral and central auditory disorders as well.

SPE 3610-2 Audiology II (2 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 3500 and SPE 3600
This course focuses on advanced anatomy of the inner ear and central auditory nervous system, introduction of the peripheral and central vestibular system, specialized diagnostic tests which evaluate pathologies within the auditory and vestibular systems, and hearing conservation measures appropriate to the newborn nursery, schools and industry. This course is recommended for all speech, language, hearing sciences majors, especially those intending to apply to graduate school.

SPE 3620-3 Aural Rehabilitation (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: (SPE 2890 and SPE 3600) or (SPE 1500 and SPE 2890 and SPE 3570) or (SPE 1500 and SPE 2890 and SPE 3590)
This course allows students to demonstrate knowledge of the responsibilities of the rehabilitative audiologist, speech-language pathologist, or special educator in meeting the communicative and educational needs of children and adults with hearing loss. The heterogeneity of the deaf and hard-of-hearing populations is analyzed in relation to treatment strategies, including the use of technology.

SPE 3740-3 Psychology of Communication (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor
This course critically examines the psychological factors underlying speech comprehension, the speaker's adjustment to an audience, the listener's sets and responses, and the attitudes, beliefs and predispositions of hearers toward human communication. This is not a psychology course. (General Studies-Level II, Arts and Letters)

SPE 3760-3 Cultural Influences on Communication (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 and either SPE 1710 or SPE 2710 or SPE 2720, and satisfaction of Level I General Studies course requirements
This course leads students to an understanding of their own cultural backgrounds and communication patterns, as well as those used by "cultural strangers." The ultimate goal of the course is to broaden students' perspective of life and people and to expand their capacity to adapt to a changing world by exploring perceptual differences and verbal and nonverbal cultural communication similarities and differences. (General Studies-Level II, Arts and Letters, Multicultural).

SPE 3770-3 Family Communication (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 1710 or SPE 2710
This course is designed to assist students to better understand and improve interpersonal communication processes in families, including dual-career communication problems, personality patterns, family group roles and their impact on interaction, verbal and nonverbal messages in family contexts and managing family interpersonal conflict and change.

SPE 3800-3 Instructional Methods for Speech Teachers and Creative Speech (2 + 2)
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing in the speech education program and/or successful completion of the process for becoming a bona fide speech major, and acceptance into the teacher education program, or permission of instructor
A comprehensive course designed to provide prospective elementary or secondary teachers of speech to recognize various speech activities as an effective way to develop language and improve communication. Different ways of stimulating creativity will be explored.

SPE 3981-3 Cooperative Education: Broadcast Journalism (1 + 9)
Prerequisite: SPE 3450
This course gives students an internship experience working as a broadcast journalist at a television station, radio station or another broadcast media outlet where they are able to use the skills learned in the classroom in a supervised, professional setting.

SPE 3982-3-9 Cooperative Education: Broadcast Performance (1 + 9-27)
Prerequisites: SPE 2400 and SPE 3430
This course gives students an internship experience working as talent at a television station, radio station or other broadcast media outlet where they are able to use the skills learned in the classroom in a supervised, professional setting.

SPE 3983-3-9 Cooperative Education: Broadcast Production (1 + 9-27)
Prerequisites: SPE 2400, SPE 3440 and SPE 3480
This course gives students an internship experience working in production at a television station, radio station or other broadcast media outlet where they are able to use the skills learned in the classroom in a supervised, professional setting.

SPE 4050-2 Advanced Intercollegiate Forensics (0 + 4)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
For students participating extensively in competitive intercollegiate speech activities. A maximum of eight hours credit may be applied toward a degree.

SPE 4080-3 Rhetorical Criticism of Public Address (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 and junior/senior standing, or permission of instructor
This course focuses on the historical and critical methodologies for analyzing rhetorical efforts, both from the points of view of an intellectual discipline and as a practical art in a democratic society.

SPE 4090-3 Classical Rhetoric (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010 or permission of instructor, and satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements, and senior standing
This course acquaints students with the classical traditions of rhetorical theory including the presophists, sophists, Aristotle, Plato, Isocrates, Cicero, Quintilian, etc. Standards of "ethical persuasion" and the responsibilities of rhetorical persuasion are examined in-depth. (Senior Experience)

SPE 4100-3 Techniques of Persuasion (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 3090 or permission of instructor
A critical investigation of the factors that influence individuals and groups through the media of persuasive rhetorical campaigns. Course involves specific investigation and analysis of twentieth-century persuasive campaigns. Students will have opportunities to develop persuasive campaigns in various rhetorical areas.

SPE 4120-3 Freedom of Speech (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010, or permission of instructor, satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements, and senior standing
This course is a study of the historical and social influences with inquiry into the legacy of our inherited rights to free speech. Also, to examine and refine the First Amendment's clause on freedom of speech and the press, threats to this freedom and special inquiry into contemporary issues and cases. (Senior Experience)

SPE 4160-3 Advanced Organizational Communication (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 2160 and SPE 3170 or permission of instructor
This course acquaints students with organizational communication structural designs, as well as methods/ models for analyzing/auditing the effectiveness of such organizational communication systems. The course also addresses implementing organizational communication change through communication processes.

SPE 4440-3 Advanced Television Production (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 3440
This course is an advanced course in television production with projects in both the studio and the field. Specific attention is focused on the production process. Students will participate in a variety of projects.

SPE 4450-3 Broadcast Journalism: Television (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 3450
This course is an introduction to television news writing. Students learn how to write for a visual medium, including newscast writing and writing for visuals and video.

SPE 4470-3 TV Criticism: Production and Content (3 + 0)
Prerequisite: SPE 3440 or permission of instructor
This course analyzes contemporary television programming for aesthetics and effectiveness. All production elements and the content of programs are critiqued to create a more discerning audience and/or program creator.

SPE 4480-3 Seminar Practicum in Broadcasting (1 + 4)
Prerequisite: SPE 3480 or permission of instructor
This is an advanced course in radio production that offers an opportunity to supervise a variety of productions as a producer/director and to evaluate the production of radio programs including soft news, commercials, and public service announcements. Open to junior- and senior-level broadcasting students, this course may be repeated for a maximum of nine credit hours that may be applied toward their degree.

SPE 4500-3 Clinical Methods in Communication Disorders (2 + 2)
Prerequisites: SPE 2890 and 3 credits from the following list (SPE 3590, SPE 4510, SPE 3620 & SPE 3580)
This course examines professional issues, and intervention principles and practices in speech-language pathology and audiology. The field-based experience allows students to apply standards-based instruction for children with communication disorders in educational settings and/or implement assessment/intervention methods in clinical settings. (Senior Experience)

SPE 4510-3 Language Disorders (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 2890 and SPE 3500 or permission of instructor
This course examines language disorders and how neurological, environmental and sociocultural factors contribute to them. The course considers principles of assessment and intervention in dealing with language disorders, with particular emphasis on child language disorders and their effects. Field-based observations will be required.

SPE 4550-2-6 Clinical Practicum and Seminar in Communication Disorders (1 + 2,4,6,8,10)
Prerequisites: SPE 4510 or SPE 3590; and SPE 3600, or permission of instructor
This course provides students in communication disorders and education with the opportunity to explore clinical issues and obtain supervised practicum experiences. This course may be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.

SPE 4570-2 Medical Aspects of Communication Disorders (2 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 3500, SPE 3600, and SPE 4510, SPE 3580 or permission of instructor
This course emphasizes nervous system organization and function as it relates to communicative pathology. Students will be introduced to an interdisciplinary approach to the evaluation and treatment of persons with various organic communication disorders. Topics such as aphasia, traumatic brain injury, motor-speech disorders and a variety of audiological disorders will be covered.

SPE 4700-3 Communication and the Trainer (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1010, SPE 1700, SPE 1710, SPE 2710 or permission of instructor
This course is designed to teach students how to translate their liberal arts background into on-the-job communication training programs using interpersonal and group dynamics skills. Actual demonstrations via video will be used, allowing students the opportunity to practice and evaluate their program design and training communication style in front of real audiences.

SPE 4760-3 Communication and the Elderly (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1700 and SPE 1710
This course is designed to investigate the particular communication patterns and problems of the aged. It focuses on culturally communicated attitudes toward elderly persons via media, marketing, and institutions, as well as specific communication issues of the aged such as the communication of intimacy, friendship, control, interaction in work environments, home life, retirement and death.

SPE 4790-3 Communication Theory Building and Research Methodology (3 + 0)
Prerequisites: SPE 1700, THE 3200, and SPE 3740
Corequisite: Senior Standing
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to extend and apply their understanding of Social Science theory and Communication theory specifically. Students will develop original theories in communication research from generation to verification. (Senior Experience)



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