Speech

Requirement:
Required for all sophomores regardless of interest or ability.

Focus:
Speech communication focuses on the communication process and how it impacts interpersonal relationships.  While the day to day curriculum centers on public performance, communication theory serves as the foundation for all assessment.

Non Negotiable Assignments:
Students must demonstrate their understanding of both verbal and nonverbal communication.  Students will be able to construct messages that are both informative and persuasive in nature.  They will understand their role as both a listen and speaker. In order to demonstrate their communication proficiency, students will construct and deliver several speeches including the object speech, tribute speech, debate, and two research based speeches.

All students must provide a video tape for self-assessment. Students must perform their speeches on the day assigned or they receive a zero.  All speeches must conform to the time restraints.

How is this course different?
This is a public speaking course which differs greatly from an acting class or a literature class.  The expectation is that all students will learn the art of communicating to an audience with appropriate nonverbal communication.  In other words, students will be expected to maintain eye contact, use hand gestures, vary vocal quality, etc.