SCOM-SPEECH COMMUNICATION – 2005-07 Catalog
Speech Communications Department

SCOM 101  Public Speaking (4)              GE A2
(Also listed as HNRS 101)

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

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 A1 or A2.

SCOM 145  Reasoning, Argumentation, and Writing (4)
(Also listed as ENGL/HNRS 145) 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 or A2.

SCOM 201  Advanced Public Speaking (4)

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

Poetry, prose, nonfiction and dramatic literature performed to communicate the levels of meaning within each work to the audience. Communication Studies majors will not receive GE C3 credit. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Areas A and C1.

SCOM 212  Interpersonal Communication (4)

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)

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 (2)

Introduction to competitive debate activities. Research, analysis, and debating about contemporary issues. Any student who wishes to receive academic credit for participation in such activities during the quarter should enroll. Total credit limited to 6 units. 2 laboratories. Prerequisite: SCOM 101 or SCOM 102 or equivalent experience.

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

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. Communication Studies majors will not receive GE C4 credit.

SCOM 311  Communication Theory (4)

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)

Exploration of communication research strategies and methodologies. Basic methods of designing research in empirical communication studies. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: SCOM 311 and STAT 217, junior standing. For majors only.

SCOM 315  Intergroup Communication (4)

Survey of theory and research concerning language and communication between various social groups (e.g., age, sex, race, sexual orientation), with an emphasis on understanding the role verbal, nonverbal, and mass communication plays in identity formation and differentiating group members. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A.

SCOM 317  Technology and Human Communication (4)

Impact of technological change upon human communication. Past, present, and future technological developments that have affected how humans communicate. Emphasis on new communication technologies. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area B, and junior standing.

SCOM 322  Persuasion (4)

Theory of persuasion with particular emphasis upon social psychological principles of influence. Analysis of various forms of persuasion, social influence and propaganda. 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  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)

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 350  Advanced Forensic Activity (2)

Advanced participation in intercollegiate speech activities. Intercollegiate tournament competition, judging speech competition and other communication-related public service on campus and in the community. Total credit limited to 6 units. 2 laboratories. Prerequisite: SCOM 250.

SCOM 385  Media Criticism (4)

Theory and method used in analyzing media from critical, rhetorical, and cultural perspectives. Practice in interpreting and evaluating news, advertising, prime-time television, the Internet, and other mass-mediated texts, with special attention to relationships among media, identity, and political action. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A, 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

Examination and clarification of cultural aspects of communication within and among ethnic groups. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A.

SCOM 418  Health Communication (4)

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)

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: Completion of GE Area A and junior standing.

SCOM 420  Nonverbal Communication (4)

Influence of kinesic, proxemic, artifactual, olfactory, paralinguistic and environmental factors in human communication. Theory, research and practice in nonverbal communication. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A.

SCOM 421  Gender and Communication (4)

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)

Role of oratory in American political and social history since Lincoln. Historical and rhetorical analyses of important political speeches delivered by presidents, activists, demagogues, and leaders of social movements. 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 312 and SCOM 332. 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. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: 2.5 GPA and consent of instructor.