You are in the official 1998-99 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Speech Communication
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Speech Communication Major
The speech communication major is designed to develop broad-based competencies
not only in oral and written communication, in critical analysis, and in
statistics and research methods, but also emphasizes how to employ these
skills in specific contexts such as business management, political persuasion,
or public relations. With your program adviser, you may select a concentration
track to fit your particular interests and professional aspirations.
The professional track is designed to prepare students for advanced
study in communication, law and government, ministry, education (credential
candidates should see section on Teaching Credential
Program), and other professions.
The organizational/applied study track is designed to prepare students
for careers and/or advanced study in business, public service and administration,
public relations, social services, and management.
The communication studies track is designed to provide the student
with a broad range of human communication skills applicable to a wide range
of career interests.
Major requirements (45 units)
Lower-division core: Spch 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 (15* units)
Upper-division core: Spch 100 and 140 (6 units)
Concentration:
Select one track (12 units)
Professional: Spch 103, 105, 114, 142, 146, 148, 149,160, 162, 164, 166,
179, 190
Organizational: Spch 103, 106, 108, 160, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168,
169, 170, 176, 179, 190
Communication Studies: Select three courses from each of the other tracks
(includes breadth requirement)
Upper-division breadth:
Select two courses from track other than concentration (6 units)
In the Organizational Track, select from: Spch 105, 114, 142, 146, 148,
149, 164
In the Professional Track, select from: Spch 106, 108, 163, 164, 165, 167,
168, 169, 170, 176
Electives:
Select from any upper-division speech communication course and/or from Spch
115, 120, 188T, 189 (6 units)
General Education (51 units)
Electives and remaining degree requirements* (28-34 units)
(see Degree Requirements) may be used toward
a dual major or minor
Total (124 units)
__________
* Spch 3, 4, and 5 may be used to satisfy General Education requirements;
thus the number of elective units may vary from 28-34.
Advising Notes
- No more than 3 units from Spch 115 can count toward fulfillment of the speech communication major.
- CR/NC grading is not permitted in the speech communication major with the exception of Spch 179 (Internship).
- General Education and elective units may be used toward a dual major or minor (see Dual Major or departmental minor). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty adviser for further information.
- No more than 6 units of Spch 179 (Internship) may be applied toward completion of the speech communication major.
- Students are allowed only 3 units of Spch 190 and no more than 6 units toward the baccalaureate degree.
Teaching Credential Program
Speech/English*
The following 52-unit course of study, referred to as the Speech/English Single Subject Waiver Program, will be accepted by the department as a major in speech communication. Teacher education students will take the following courses:
Lower Division Core**
Spch 3, 4, 8; Drama 22 (12 units)
Core Courses
Spch 5, 7, and 114 (CTET 158); Engl 189, 183T or 193T; Ling 100, 146 (23
units)
Electives
Engl 161, 163, or 164; Engl 154 or 155; Engl 112, 113, 114, 146, 147, 150,
151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 167, 168, 169, 183T, 193T, or 194; Ling 138,
Drama 131 or 136 (15 units)
Breadth Courses
Spch 100 or 115; Spch 160 or 164; Spch 108 or 162; and any upper-division
speech course not used not used in previous electives (12 units)
_________
*This program of study is recognized as the Single Subject Waiver for a Speech/English credential. Total units may vary from 55-61 depending on General Education courses.
**Spch 3, 4, and 8 may be used to satisfy General Education requirements. The number of electives may vary from 33-39.
See School of Education and Human Development for additional professional education requirements for a credential.
Students wishing to pursue a course of study leading to a teaching credential
should see the departmental director of teacher education for advising early
in their programs as state requirements change frequently.
Speech Communication Minor
Increasingly, oral and written communication, problem solving and decision
making, leadership, and conflict resolution skills are being recognized
as vital skills for professionals in all fields of work. The Speech Communication
Minor is designed to develop these competencies in order to help students
better meet their particular career goals. While a specific minor is recommended,
you may wish to consult with your department adviser about designing a minor
to suit your special objectives.
Core requirements (15 units)
Spch 5, 7, 8, 100, 140
Electives (6 units)
Approved upper-division speech communication courses
Total (21 units)
Note: Spch 4 is recommended for use in General Education BREADTH
Division 4.
Communication Skills for Professionals Certificate
Proficiency in communication skills is essential in virtually any professional
career. The Speech Communication Program offers a structured sequence of
courses leading to a certificate of special study recognizing the focused
development of professional communication skills in such areas as presentational
speaking, problem solving and decision making, leadership, and interpersonal
communication. Upon completion of the certificate requirements, the department
will award a certificate.
Certificate Prerequisites: upper-division standing and completion
of the General Education basic speech requirement.
Certificate Requirements. Check with department prior to beginning
certificate requirements regarding program status.
Communication Theory: Spch 100 (3 units)
Professional Writing Skills: IS 105W, Engl 164, 166, MCJ 10 (3-4 units)
Business and Professional Speaking: Spch 170 (3 units)
Communication Training and Development: Spch 176 (3 units)
Elect 6 units from Spch 103, 108, 162, 167, 168, 169 (6 units)
Total (18-19 units)
The new Communication Skills for Professionals Certificate Program is designed
to enable students to achieve recognition of development in such areas as
presentational speaking, problem solving and decision making, leadership,
and interpersonal communication.
Graduate Program
The Master of Arts degree program in Speech is designed to be a comprehensive program reflecting the history and breadth of the speech communication discipline. Four objectives serve as measures for competent M.A. graduates of the program. First, all graduates will have a comprehensive understanding of the historical and philosophical assumptions of the communication discipline, as well as the various theoretical perspectives underlying scholarship in the discipline. Second, all graduates will recognize and be able to use appropriate communication strategies in formal, informal, professional, and personal contexts. Third, all graduates will understand quantitative and qualitative methods of research in communication. Fourth, all graduates will understand various communication perspectives and will have a clear understanding of their own personal perspective and ideologies.
Master of Arts Degree Requirements
Speech Communication Option
The graduate program in speech communication is designed to extend the
competencies of students in the study of human communication. Graduate assistantships
in forensics and a teaching assistantship program for teaching provide students
with opportunities for financial assistance and additional educational experiences.
The graduate program in speech communication assumes undergraduate preparation
equivalent to a California State University, Fresno major or minor in speech
communication. The Speech Communication Department offers a 30 unit Master
of Arts degree with coursework in three areas of human communication: communication,
rhetoric and public address, and applied communication. These areas form
the basis of two tracks -- Track I: Communication and Rhetorical Studies
and Track II: Applied Communication Studies.
Track I: Communication and Rhetorical Studies
Persons selecting Track I participate in a balanced program which examines
the core issues and methodologies in the discipline of human communication.
Track I is designed primarily for those individuals who are interested in
teaching or who may pursue a doctoral degree in communication or rhetoric.
Core seminars (6 units)
Spch 241, 262
Select two seminars in rhetoric and public address (6 units)
Spch 205, 215, 242M, 243, 244
Select two seminars in communication (6 units)
Spch 214, 215, 263, 264M, 265, 266
Elective requirements (3-9 units)
Approved electives
Culminating experiences (3-6 units)
Select one of these options
A. Comprehensive Examination (take at least 3 units of approved Speech Communication
electives)
B. Spch 298: Graduate Project (3-6 units; additional approved Speech Communication
electives if needed)
C. Spch 299: Thesis (3-6 units; additional approved Speech Communication
electives if needed)
Minimum total (30 units)
Track II: Applied Communication Studies
Persons entering Track II participate in a program which develops and extends
competency in applied areas of communication. The focus is on methods of
investigating communication problems in professional settings and designing
strategies for facilitating more effective communication. Track II is designed
primarily for those individuals pursuing professional careers such as business
and industry, public service, law, and government.
Core seminars (6 units)
Spch 241, 262
Select two seminars in communication (6 units)
Spch 215, 263, 264M, 265, 266
Select two seminars in applied communication (6 units)
Spch 214, 215, 268, 276
Elective requirements (3-9 units)
Approved electives
Culminating experiences (3-6 units)
Select one of these options
A. Comprehensive Examination (take at least 3 additional
units of approved speech communication electives)
B. Spch 298: Graduate Project (3-6 units; additional approved speech communication
electives if needed)
C. Spch 299: Thesis (3-6 units; additional approved speech communication
electives if needed)
Minimum total (30 units)
Advising Notes
- At least 21 units in the student's program of study must be in 200-level (seminar) courses.
- One methods seminar (Spch 242M or 264M) is required in every program. Successful completion of one of these classes also fulfills the graduate writing skills requirement.
- At least 3 units of electives must be an upper-division or seminar course in a department other than speech communication. Any other elective requirements can be met by any approved speech communication seminar, upper-division speech communication course, or appropriate course outside the department. Elective requirements are approved by the graduate student's graduate committee.
- No undergraduate CAPSTONE course may be used to fulfill graduate core course requirements.
