Speech Communication, B.A.

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Return to: 3200 Department of Communication

Speech communication explores the construction, diffusion, analysis, and impact of messages as they occur among individuals, groups, organizations, and cultures in the media age. Students begin the major with courses in interpersonal communication, argumentation, and public speaking. The core of the speech major focuses on how people develop communication skills, how we study communication phenomena, how we critically examine particular communication events, and how various persuasive tactics may influence members of diverse and globalized societies. Elective courses examine such areas as nonverbal communication, media and politics, visual communication, communication disorders, health communication, mediation and conflict resolution, and communication and aging.

The concepts and skills provided by the major in speech communication form a strong, liberal arts foundation for a wide variety of occupations (e.g., business, law, politics, nonprofits, conflict resolution, communication sciences, teaching, the ministry, public relations, marketing, and communication campaigns).

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see College Degree Requirements ) and the University Degree Requirements (see 1400 University Degree Requirements and Graduation ).

University Grade-Point Average and Grade Requirements

Georgia State University undergraduate students must achieve an overall institutional grade-point average of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 in Areas G and H to receive a bachelor’s degree from the university. Grades of C- can be used to satisfy graduation requirements. However, some courses have prerequisites that require a grade of C or higher. (See 1460 GPA Requirement for additional information.)

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major Field (18 Hours)

World Language Requirements

World language at the 1002 or higher level 3 Hours
(See “World Language Requirement for B.A. and B.I.S. Majors,” previously described.)

Required Courses (11 Hours)

(minimum grade of C required)

SCOM 1000 - Human Communication 2 Credit Hours
SCOM 1500 - Public Speaking 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 2400 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 2710 - Argumentation 3 Credit Hours

Select additional elective courses from the following to complete 18 hours in Area F

Select additional Perspectives (PERS) courses in Area B.
RSCH 1203 - Research Strategies and Technology 1 Credit Hours
SCOM 2300 - Business and Professional Communication 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 2900 - Intercultural Communication 3 Credit Hours
SCOM 2050 - Media, Culture, and Society 3 Credit Hours

Area G: Major Courses (24)

Area H: Minor and Additional Courses

Majors in the Department of Communication’s two B.A. programs must select a minor consisting of at least 15 hours of courses in a discipline within the Department of Communication other than the major (journalism or speech communication) or in another academic department/school/institute that offers a baccalaureate degree. At least nine semester hours of minor courses must be at the 3000 level or above, unless otherwise specified by the minor-granting department/school/institute. A grade of C or higher is required in all minor courses.
Additional courses from departments/schools/institutes other than the major must be taken to complete a minimum of 120 semester hours.

Additional Information

Internships

Credit for special projects and internships is available in all majors. Internships provide students who have already completed all other requirements to gain experience in a variety of professional sectors in the metropolitan area and to tailor programs to their specific career goals.

Graduation with Distinction in the Major

This unit offers undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. Please contact the undergraduate director for the specific criteria for this honor.