Speech Communication, B.A.
Speech Communication
Credits: 122
CIP Code: 231304
Program Description
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication complete a liberal arts program that provides a foundation to acquire a general knowledge of theoretical concepts and their practical application in the fields of public address, rhetoric, organizational communication and communication management. In addition, students master and demonstrate proficiency in the usage of oral and written communication and have the ability to exercise interpersonal communication constructs in various contexts and situations.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the General Admission Requirements as presented in the Clark Atlanta University Undergraduate Catalog.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates in the in Speech Communication Program will be able to:
- Conduct audience analysis, and listen to and evaluate speeches of various practitioners, for efficacy.
- Apply communication technology to speech research, writing, and presentational delivery.
- Write and deliver effective informative, persuasive and other types of speeches tailored to target audiences.
- Use research, writing, and oral presentation skills to respond appropriately in various communication contexts.
- Identify and apply communication theories.
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | ||
| Area A: Humanities/Fine Arts | ||
| Select six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| United States,Africa & World | ||
| United States, Africa & World | ||
| Critical Thinking | ||
| Art Appreciation | ||
CHUM 280 | ||
CHUM 230 | ||
| The Biblical Heritage | ||
| Area B: Social/Behavioral Sciences | ||
| CPSY 211 | General Psychology | 3 |
| CSCJ 216 | Intro. to Anthropology | 3 |
| Area C: Natural Sciences/Mathematics/Statistics | ||
| Select six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Finite Mathematics | ||
| Pre-Calculus I | ||
| Biological Science | ||
| Physical Science | ||
| Area D: Communications | ||
| CFLX XXX | Elementary French or Spanish | 3 |
| CENG 105 | College Composition I | 3 |
| CENG 106 | College Composition II | 3 |
| Area E: Financial/Technological | ||
| CCIS 100 | Info. Technology & Comp. App. | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Other University Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CGED 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| CGED 101 | 1st-Year Seminar | 1 |
| Total Hours | 2 | |
Degree Requirements
In addition to the General Degree Requirements as published in the Clark Atlanta University Undergraduate Catalog, students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication must earn a minimum final grade of "C" in all Theatre and Communication Studies courses and complete the following requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses in Speech | ||
| CSTA 101 | Fundamentals of Speech | 3 |
| CSTA 200 | Oral & Written Presentation.. | 3 |
| CSTA 201 | Voice and Diction | 3 |
| CSTA 211 | Communication Theory/Rhetoric | 3 |
| CSTA 301 | Rhetoric of Persuasion | 3 |
| CSTA 303 | Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| CSTA 304 | Business & Professional Speech | 3 |
| CSTA 305 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| CSTA 306 | Speech for Radio/Stage/TV Film | 3 |
| CSTA 311 | African American Communication | 3 |
| CSTA 402 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| CSTA 404 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| CSTA 455 | Entertainment Law | 3 |
| CSTA 482 | Directed Study | 3 |
| or CSTA 489 | Internship | |
| CSTA 490 | Speech Comm.& Theatre Arts Sem | 3 |
| Required Courses in Mass Media Arts | ||
| CMMA 201 | Survey of Media & Society | 3 |
| CMMA 315 | Mass Communication Research 1 | 3 |
| Major Electives in Speech | ||
| CSTA 213 | Public Address | 3 |
| CSTA 218 | Concepts in Human Communicatio | 3 |
| CSTA 251 | Oral Interpretation | 3 |
| CSTA 302 | Speech for Classroom Teacher | 3 |
| CSTA 307 | Special Topics | 3 |
| CSTA 454 | Children's Theater | 3 |
| CSTA 482 | Directed Study | 3 |
| or CSTA 489 | Internship | |
| Cognate Courses (Not required) | ||
| Acting I | ||
| International Journalism | ||
| Afr Amer Images in the Media | ||
| Free/General Electives | ||
| Select 18 credits 2 | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 90 | |
- 1
Or an approved course substitute.
- 2
All Free Electives must be at the 300 level or higher and in disciplines other than those in the Division of Communication Arts. These electives should be selected in areas of interest and in relevance to future academic and professional goals with assistance from the academic advisor. Note: Electives should be chosen in consultation with the advisor depending on the choice of minor or stackable credentials.
Plan of Study for Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| CSTA 101 | Fundamentals of Speech | 3 |
| CBIO 101 | Biological Science (Area C) | 3 |
| CENG 105 | College Composition I (Area D) | 3 |
| CGED 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| CART 150 | Art Appreciation (Area A) | 3 |
| CMAT 103 ALGEBRA I | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CCIS 100 | Info. Technology & Comp. App. (Area E) | 3 |
| CPSY 211 | General Psychology (Area B) | 3 |
| CPHI 105 | Critical Thinking (Area A) | 3 |
| CENG 106 | College Composition II (Area D) | 3 |
| CGED 101 | 1st-Year Seminar | 1 |
| CSTA 200 | Oral & Written Presentation.. | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CFLX 101 | Area D | 3 |
| CSTA 211 | Communication Theory/Rhetoric | 3 |
| CMMA 201 | Survey of Media & Society | 3 |
| CSTA 201 | Voice and Diction | 3 |
| CXXX XXX | Free Elective 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CMMA 315 | Mass Communication Research 2 | 3 |
| CSTA 303 | Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| CSTA 301 | Rhetoric of Persuasion | 3 |
| CSCJ 216 | Intro. to Anthropology (Area B) | 3 |
| CSTA 304 | Business & Professional Speech | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CSTA 311 | African American Communication | 3 |
| CSTA 305 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| CSTA 306 | Speech for Radio/Stage/TV Film | 3 |
| CSTA XXX | Major Elective in Speech and Theatre 3 | 3 |
| CSTA XXX | Free Elective 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSTA 404 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| CSTA 402 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| CSTA XXX | Major Elective in Speech and Theatre 3 | 3 |
| CSTA XXX | Major Elective in Speech and Theatre 3 | 3 |
| CSTA XXX | Major Elective in Speech and Theatre 3 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CSTA 455 | Entertainment Law | 3 |
| CSTA XXX | Major Elective in Speech and Theatre 3 | 3 |
| CSTA XXX | Major Elective in Speech and Theatre 3 | 3 |
| CSTA XXX | Major Elective in Speech and Theatre 3 | 3 |
| CXXX XXX | Free Elective 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSTA 482 or CSTA 489 |
Directed Study or Internship |
3 |
| CSTA 490 | Speech Comm.& Theatre Arts Sem | 3 |
| CXXX XXX | Free Elective 1 | 3 |
| CXXX XXX | Free Elective 1 | 3 |
| CXXX XXX | Free Elective 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
- 1
All Free Electives must be at the 300 level or higher and in disciplines other than those in the Division of Communication Arts. These electives should be selected in areas of interest and in relevance to future academic and professional goals with assistance from the academic advisor.
- 2
Or an approved course substitute.
- 3
All major electives must be at the 300 level or higher.
Program Opportunities
The Department of Theatre and Communication Studies hosts several organizations for majors and non- majors. They include:
- Alpha Psi Omega - a national drama honor society for students who have been involved actively in theatrical productions while maintaining scholastic integrity.
- Clark Atlanta University Players (CAU Players) - composed of majors and non-majors with a strong desire to perform and produce challenging work. The mission of the CAU Players is to excite, educate, and entertain. The CAU Players present a variety of productions yearly.
- The Forensics Society - composed of majors and non-majors interested in public speaking, oral interpretation, and debate. The society participates in competitions locally and nationally.
- Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, Theta Tau Chapter - goals are to recognize, foster, and reward outstanding scholastic achievement; stimulate interest in the field of communication; promote and encourage professional development among communication majors; provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas about the field; establish and maintain close relationships and understanding between faculty and students; and explore options for further graduate studies. To become a member of Lambda Pi Eta, students must have completed at least 60 semester hours; have completed at least 12 semester hours of communication study and have a GPA of at least 3.25; have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0; and be in the upper 35% of their graduating class.
- National Black Media Coalition (NBMC) - recognizes and assists all the many media industries involving people of color, both creatively and technologically, as well as ownership.
- National Communication Association Student Club (NCASC) - an organization for division of communication arts majors interested in the field of communication. Students have declared a major in communication to join the organization officially.