Selected Educational Outcomes
- The speech communication major will demonstrate skill in the use of the materials and methods of communication and expression appropriate to the area of emphasis.
- The speech communication major will demonstrate understanding of the theories and practices of interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and public communication.
- The speech communication major will demonstrate skill in the analysis of the communication needs of clients and in the design and implementation of programs to satisfy those needs.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
The Department assesses the extent to which the program requirements create the desired outcomes by using a variety of techniques. Examples of these assessments (and related educational outcomes) include the following:
- General Speech Communication: COMM 4340. Students must develop a training program in interpersonal communication targeted for specific clients. The programs include research extending the theories and skills learned in the emphasis.
- Public Relations: COMM 4230. Students must select an organization, define a public relations problem facing that organization, and design a public relations program to solve the problem, including research needed, construction of a public relations plan, implementation steps, communication of the plan, and evaluation of the plan’s success.
- Intercultural Organizational Communication: COMM 4420 and COMM 4440. In COMM 4420, students must conduct a communication audit for an area business or non-profit entity, report to the entity on the audit, write a summary report, and give an oral presentation in the course. In COMM 4440, students must develop a workshop on a topic relevant to intercultural communication and deliver the workshop to an area business or non-profit entity.
- Students must pass an exit examination during their final year, assessing their mastery of concepts and practices taught in Area F and Senior Core courses.
Requirements for the B.F.A. degree with a Major in Communication
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F | ||
| COMM 1100 | Human Communication | 3 |
| COMM 2100 | Introduction to Communication Theory | 3 |
| COMM 2300 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Computer Technology for the Workplace | ||
| Fundamentals of Computer Applications | ||
| Introduction to Microcomputers and Applications | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Theatre Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to Dance | ||
| Introduction to Mass Media | ||
| Fundamentals of Philosophy | ||
| Principles of Logic and Argumentation | ||
| Communications for the Workplace | ||
| The Environment of Business | ||
| A minimum grade of “C” is required for all Area F courses in the Communication Arts Department. | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Senior Core | ||
| COMM 3000 & COMM 3100 | Qualitative Communication Research Methods and Small Group Communication | 6 |
| COMM 3500 & COMM 3800 | Fundamentals of Cross-Cultural Communication and Quantitative Communication Research Methods | 6 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Persuasion | ||
| Theories of Public Communication | ||
| The Psychology and Semiotics of Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication Theory | ||
| Health Communication Theory | ||
| Rhetorical Criticism | ||
| Special Topics in Speech Communication | ||
| Guided Electives | 18 | |
| Select an Emphasis from below | 24 | |
General Speech Communication | ||
Public Relations | ||
Intercultural Organizational Communication | ||
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
General Speech Communication Emphasis
| COMM 3310 & COMM 3330 | Listening and Interviewing | 6 |
| COMM 3071 | Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| COMM 3320 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3410 | Conflict Management and Leadership | 3 |
| COMM 4140 | Interpersonal Communication Theory | 3 |
| COMM 4340 & COMM 4400 | Capstone in General Speech and Organizational Presentation | 6 |
Public Relations Emphasis
| COMM 3200 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| COMM 3210 | Electronic Public Relations Applications | 3 |
| COMM 3220 | Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| COMM 3240 | Public Relations Document Layout and Design | 3 |
| COMM 4200 | Public Relations Techniques | 3 |
| COMM 4220 | Integrated Communication | 3 |
| COMM 4230 & COMM 4240 | Public Relations Plans and Campaigns and Public Relations Law and Ethics | 6 |
Intercultural Organizational Communication Emphasis
| COMM 3320 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3400 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 3410 | Conflict Management and Leadership | 3 |
| COMM 3550 | Managing Diversity | 3 |
| COMM 4400 | Organizational Presentation | 3 |
| COMM 4420 | Advanced Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 4430 & COMM 4440 | Ethics in Human Communication and Intercultural Training | 6 |
