SCOM-SPEECH COMMUNICATION -- 2001-03 Catalog
Speech Communications Department

SCOM 101 Public Speaking (4) GE A2
(formerly SPC 201)

Introduction to the principles of public speaking. Practical experience in the development, presentation, and critical analysis of speeches to inform, to persuade, and to actuate. Not open to students with credit in SCOM 102. 4 lectures.

SCOM 102 Principles of Speech Communication (4) GE A2
(formerly SPC 202)

Introduction to the fundamentals and principles which underlie effective speech communication. Practical experience in various types of speaking situations: informative speaking, persuasive speaking, and panel discussion. Not open to students with credit in SCOM 101. 4 lectures.

SCOM 126 Argument and Advocacy (4) GE A3

The nature of critical thinking as applied in written and oral argument. Analysis of inductive and deductive reasoning. Analysis of reasoning, argument, forms of support and fallacies of argument and language. Instruction in and practical experience in writing sound persuasive arguments and engaging in oral argumentation assignments. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A2.

SCOM 145 Reasoning, Argumentation, and Writing (4)
(Also listed as ENGL/HNRS 145)
(formerly SPC 215) GE A3

The principles of reasoning in argumentation. Examination of rhetorical principles and responsible rhetorical behavior. Application of these principles to written and oral communications. Effective use of research methods and sources. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A1.

SCOM 201 Advanced Public Speaking (4)
(formerly SPC 321)

Further consideration of the principles of public address. Advanced practice in manuscript, extemporaneous, and impromptu speaking. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102.

SCOM 208 Performance of Literature (4) GE C3
(formerly SPC 305)

Poetry, prose, nonfiction and dramatic literature performed to communicate the levels of meaning within each work to the audience. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Areas A and C1.

SCOM 212 Interpersonal Communication (4)
(Also listed as PSY 212)

Introduction to the interaction process in two-person (dyadic) communication settings. Emphasis on the functions of varying messages in the initiation, development, maintenance and termination of personal relationships. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102.

SCOM 213 Organizational Communication (4)

Introduction to communication within the organization and between the organization and its environment. Effects of networks, superior/subordinate message patterns, team building, climate, message flow patterns and distortion on organizational effectiveness. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102.

SCOM 217 Small Group Communication (4)

Basic principles and techniques of small group communication. Survey of the importance of discussion in contemporary society, including study of and practice in informal group discussion, panel discussion, symposium, and forum. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102.

SCOM 226 Applied Argumentation (4)
(formerly SPC 325)

Intermediate level course in the theory and practice of everyday argument. Select theories of argumentation, and practical experience arguing in a wide variety of contexts. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A.

SCOM 250 Forensic Activity (1)

Lower division participation in intercollegiate forensic activities. Any student who wishes to receive academic credit for participation in such activities during the quarter should enroll. Specific assignments will be determined by instructor. Total credit limited to 6 units. 1 activity. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102.

SCOM 301 Business and Professional Communication (4)

Communication skills and functions for all levels of organizational employees. Interviewing, oral briefings, motivational and conference speaking. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102.

SCOM 308 Group Performance of Literature (4) GE C4
(formerly SPC 405)

Examination and experience in the various modes of group performance of literature. Readers Theatre, Chamber Theatre, Story Theatre. Scripting; directing; performing and critiquing of group performance of literature. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Areas A, C3 and junior standing.

SCOM 310 Storytelling: The Oral Tradition (4)
(Also listed as LS 310)

Techniques for performing traditional folktales and myths in primary and secondary teaching situations. Selection, preparation and presentation of folklore for an audience; lectures on function of folk literature and mythology in modern society. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102.

SCOM 311 Communication Theory (4)
(formerly SPC 312)

Concepts and theories of the human communication process from a social science perspective. 4 lectures. Prerequisite. Completion of GE Area A.

SCOM 312 Communication Research (4)
(formerly SPC 411)

Exploration of communication research strategies and methodologies. Basic methods of designing research in empirical communication studies. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 311 and SCOM/PSY 333, junior standing. For majors only.

SCOM 322 Persuasion (4)

Persuasive theory including methods of attention, suggestion, motivation, and adaptation employed to influence feelings, attitude, change and action. Critical analysis of persuasive discourse. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A.

SCOM 330 Classical Rhetorical Theory (4)

Early development of rhetorical theory in Greco-Roman civilization. Analysis of the canons of rhetoric. Rhetorical thought of Sophists, Isocrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and Quintilian. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A requirements and junior standing.

SCOM 331 Political Advocacy and Contemporary Rhetoric (4)

Rhetoric's role in contemporary culture. Issues: political advocacy; science, technology and mass persuasion; ethics and rhetoric. Representative theorists: Burke, Weaver, Richards, Toulmin and McLuhan. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A and junior standing.

SCOM 332 Rhetorical Criticism (4)
(formerly SPC 430)

Theory and method used in the analysis and evaluation of rhetorical discourse. Study of critical essays. Practice in interpreting and evaluating persuasive discourse. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Junior standing, SCOM 330.

SCOM 333 Quantitative Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences (3) (Also listed as PSY 333)

Thorough introduction to the quantitative aspects of empirical research. Using SPSS statistical software, students will learn how to choose, conduct, and interpret analyses of research data from different behavioral science disciplines. 2 lectures, 1 activity. Prerequisite: PSY 329 or SOC 333, and STAT 217, or consent of instructor.

SCOM 350 Advanced Forensic Activity (2)

Upper division participation in intercollegiate forensics. Administration and operation of tournaments held annually on campus and in the community. Total credit limited to 6 units. 2 activities. Prerequisite: SCOM 250.

SCOM 385 Mass Media Criticism (4) (Also listed as JOUR 385)

Examines mass media (especially broadcasting) from a rhetorical/critical perspective. Aims to expand students' understanding of media issues, media's role as critic, and the role of criticism. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102, and junior standing.

SCOM 400 Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates (1–2)

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 4 units. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor, junior standing.

SCOM 413 Advanced Organizational Communication (4)

Describing and measuring the organization's human message system. Planning and implementing communication training and development for the organization. New functions, careers and opportunities for the communication professional. 4 lectures. Prerequisites: Junior standing, SCOM 213 and SCOM 301.

SCOM 416 Intercultural Communication (4) USCP
(formerly SPC 316)

Examination and clarification of cultural aspects of communication within and among ethnic groups. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102.

SCOM 418 Health Communication (4)
(formerly SPC 375)

Communication in health contexts. Topics include interpersonal communication (e.g., health professional/patient), group and organizational communication (e.g., health-related groups), and mass communication (e.g., persuasive health campaigns). Open to all majors and valuable to laypersons who are consumers of health care, and pre-health professionals. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

SCOM 419 Media Effects (4)
(formerly SPC 380)

Effects of media on the individual. Influence of mediated message producers, production technologies, and message content. Empirical approaches to data collection using experimental and survey techniques. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

SCOM 420 Nonverbal Communication (4)
(formerly SPC 320)

Influence of kinesic, proxemic, artifactual, olfactory, paralinguistic and environmental factors in human communication. Theory, research and practice in nonverbal communication. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102.

SCOM 421 Gender and Communication (4)
(formerly SPC 370)

Examination of gender in a variety of communication contexts. Concepts presented will help students understand the theory and practice of communication with members of the same and opposite sex. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

SCOM 424 Classroom Communication (4)

Exploration of classroom communication development. Student-teacher-parent interaction. Communication style, environmental stimuli, dialectal differences and bilingualism, measurement of communication competence. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Junior standing, Completion of GE Area A.

SCOM 435 American Political Rhetoric (4)

Selected speakers and speeches from the Greco-Roman era to the present. Analysis and discussion of oratory's role in the shaping of historical events and the development of civilization. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

SCOM 450 Internship: Speech Communication (2–4) (CR/NC)

Supervised practicum and application of principles and theories of communication in organizational settings. Total credit limited to 8 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: Junior standing, 2.5 GPA, and consent of instructor.

SCOM 460 Undergraduate Seminar (1)

Discussion and design of individual projects, oral reports on material in current professional writings. 1 seminar. Prerequisite: Senior standing; completion of SCOM 311 and SCOM 330. For majors only.

SCOM 461 Senior Project (3)

Completion of approved project under faculty supervision. Project results are presented in a formal written report. Minimum 90 hours total time. Prerequisite: SCOM 460. For majors only.

SCOM 470 Selected Advanced Topics (1–4)

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1–4 lectures. Prerequisite: Junior standing, Completion of GE Area A.

SCOM 485 Cooperative Education Experience (6) (CR/NC)

Part-time work experience in business, industry, government, and other areas of student career interest. Positions are paid and usually require relocation and registration in course for two consecutive quarters. Formal report and evaluation by work supervisor required. Total credit limited to 16 units.(Corrected 5/21/02) Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: 2.5 GPA and consent of instructor.