• Outstanding Faculty - Our faculty is committed to quality teaching and learning. You will learn the latest theories and principles, as well as practical applications through internship experiences. Many of our faculty are well known in their fields of study, and all stay current through a combination of research activities and communication consulting.

• Flexibility - The degree provides career flexibility - you do not have to decide during your college years on a specific career pathway. You can enjoy the advantages of a college education and the special advantages that come with excellent communication skills, because these skills are highly valued by all employers including those in business, industry, nonprofit organizations, - government and educational institutions.

• Opportunities for Intercollegiate Competition - Many students, including non-majors, elect to join our CSUF Speech and Debate Team, which consistently ranks at or near the top in competitions across the nation. Debate provides students with invaluable experiences in improving communication skills, which are an asset in almost any career, including law.

• Commitment to Students - The department values its students and treats them accordingly. You will be able to work with your adviser to design a program that meets your individual needs, and faculty will work hard to make sure that you have a rich learning experience as you progress through the program.

• Dynamic Students - Students who select speech communication as their major enjoy communication and are generally "people oriented." This orientation makes for a college experience that is as enjoyable as it is valuable.

What is a speech communication major?

A speech communication major is one who is committed to learning the theory and principles behind excellent communication and who wants to acquire skills in communicating with others-both within and across cultural boundaries-in a variety of business, professional and interpersonal settings.

What types of career opportunities are available?

The B.A. degree in Speech Communication prepares you for a wide variety of careers in business, industry, government, nonprofit organizations or human services. With careful planning and advisement, you can also pursue an advanced degree in an area that requires excellent communication such as law, social work, clinical psychology, business administration, and high school or university teaching.

Your studies in speech communication will emphasize one of five areas. The emphasis in Argumentation and Persuasion prepares you for careers in government or politics, and it offers particularly strong preparation for law school. The emphasis in Interpersonal Communication prepares you for entrance into a variety of careers in social and human services. You can also pursue advanced education leading to careers in teaching, counseling, social work or clinical psychology. The emphasis in Organizational Communication prepares you for careers in business, nonprofit organizations or government; examples are community relations director or representative, conflict manager, customer service representative, director of corporate communications, executive manager, human resource manager, industrial and labor relations representative, mediator, negotiator, public information officer, or sales representative. The emphasis in Intercultural Communication prepares you for communication across cultural boundaries in careers such as customer service and sales representative, diplomat, foreign correspondent, foreign relations or foreign service officer, host for foreign dignitaries, intercultural and diversity trainer, international corporate representative, international and studyabroad student adviser, and travel industry representative. The emphasis in Communication Studies allows you to select courses in two of these areas.

INTERNATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN SPEECH COMMUNICATION

The Department of Human Communication Studies integrates issues of ethnicity and culture in all of its courses. This ensures that students understand their own culture in relationship to other cultures and therefore develop a global perspective. Three faculty members are nationally and/or internationally recognized for their expertise in inter- cultural communication, multiculturalism and bilingual issues.

Courses in intercultural communication are included in the communication theory and process curriculum. These courses emphasize the nature and effects of such communication on multicultural, multi- national and domestic relationships. Clinical experiences that are part of the communicative disorders curriculum also provide expertise on multicultural and bilingual issues.

Speech Communication students provide international learning opportunities for other students on campus as well by providing training for CSUF students who will be studying in international universities.

What courses are required for the major?

Speech communication majors take a total of 42 units in the major, including 18 units of core requirements, 12 units of theoretical core, and 12 units in the area of emphasis. An internship (HCOM437) is strongly recommended to give the experience applying the principles of excellent communication in a real-life setting.

Core Requirements (18 units)

HCOM 102 Public Speaking (3)
HCOM 200 Human Communication (3)
HCOM 235 Essentials of Argumentation (3) (OR)
HCOM 236 Essentials of Debate (3)
HCOM 300 Introduction to Research (3)
HCOM 308 Quantitative Research Methods (3)
HCOM 420 Communication Theory (3)

Breadth Experiences: (12 units; select a course from each of the following categories)

HCOM 330 Rhetoric of Popular Culture (3) OR
HCOM 332 Process of Social Influence (3) OR
HCOM 437 Internship (3)

HCOM 313 Interpersonal Communication Theory (3) OR
HCOM 318 Family Communication (3) OR
HCOM 437 Internship (3)

HCOM 320 Intercultural Communication (3) OR
HCOM 422 Applications of Intercultural (3) OR
HCOM 437 Internship (3)

HCOM 324 Communicating in Groups arid Teams (3) OR
HCOM 326 Organizational Communication Dynamics (3) OR
HCOM 437 Internship (3)

Emphasis: (12 units of adviser-discussed course work from one of the following areas)

Emphasis in Organizational Communication (12 units)

HCOM 220 Interpersonal Conflict Management (3)
HCOM 324 Communicating in Teams and Groups (3)
HCOM 325 Interviewing: Principles and Practices (3)
HCOM 326 Organizational Communication Dynamics (3)
HCOM 333 Communication in Business and Professions (3)
HCOM 433 Training & Development (3)
HCOM 437 Internship (3)
HCOM 479 Mediation: Principles & Practices (3)
HCOM 492T Proseminar (e.g., Leadership) (3)

Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication (12 units)

HCOM 220 Interpersonal Conflict Management (3)
HCOM 313 Interpersonal Communication Theory (3)
HCOM 318 Family Communication (3)
HCOM 324 Communicating in Teams and Groups (3)
HCOM 331 Processes of Social Influence (3)
HCOM 360 Nonverbal Communication (3)
HCOM 413 Communication in Interpersonal Relationships (3),
HCOM 492T Proseminar (e.g., Dark Side of Comm.) (3)

Emphasis in Intercultural Communication (12 units)

HCOM 220 Interpersonal Conflict Management (3)
HCOM 320 Intercultural Communication (3)
HCOM 360 Nonverbal Communication (3)
HCOM 422 Applications of Intercultural Communication (3)
HCOM 435 Communication in Community Building (3)
HCOM 456 Intercultural Conflict: Theory & Practice (3)
HCOM 479 Mediation: Principles & Practice (3)
HCOM 492T Proseminar (3)

Emphasis in Argumentation and Persuasion (12 units)

HCOM 236 Essentials of Debate (3)
HCOM 330 Rhetoric of Popular Culture (3)
HCOM 332 Process of Social Influence (3)
HCOM 334 Persuasive Speaking (3)
HCOM 335 Advanced Argumentation (3)
HCOM 337 Communication in the Legal Arena (3)
HCOM 338 Intercollegiate Forensics (2)
HCOM 342 America Speaks (3)
HCOM 426 Directing Forensics (3)
HCOM 432 Contemporary Rhetoric (3)
HCOM 492T Proseminar (e.g., Compliance Gaining) (3)

Communication Studies (12 units)

Select 12 units of advisor-approved courses from at least two of the above
areas of emphasis.

Transfer Courses

Courses that are equivalent to HCOM 102 (Public Speaking) and HCOM 236 (Essentials of Debate) will transfer and provide credit in the major.

Student Associations

CommGrads is the department's student group that sponsors career workshops, special programs and social activities. The CSUF Speech and Debate Team competes with other colleges and universities and consistently ranks near the top in the nation. CSUF students involved in the Southern California Urban Debate League (SCUDL) teach argument skills to students from underserved high schools.

Advisement

You can make an appointment with the department's undergraduate adviser by
calling the Department of Human Communication Studies (657) 278-3617.
For further information, including available scholarships, please contact
the department's undergraduate adviser at:

Department of Human Communication Studies
College Park 420-1
California State University, Fullerton
PO. Box 6868
Fullerton, CA 92834
(657) 278-3617