The Department of Speech Communication integrates theory, criticism, and practice. The Department of Speech Communication offers a program of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as a minor. Students in the department begin their study with a course in the nature, elements, and functions of human communication and continue with specific courses in interpersonal communication, public speaking, instructional communication, oral interpretation, and small-group decision making. In advanced courses, students reflect in depth on the theories and practices of persuasion, argumentation, small-group processes, conflict management, political communication, online relationships, instructional settings, and communication ethics. Admission is competitive, based on GPA in speech, recommended courses, cumulative GPA, and statement.
Applications are due the end of the third week of the quarter.
Transfer students must be enrolled at the UW before applying to the major. The Department of Speech Communication offers an option in political communications in conjunction with the Departments of Political Science , and Technical Communication , and the School of Communications . Three courses from the Discipline Foundations list, one course from the Theory and Methods list, one course from the Social and Institut ional Context list, two courses from the Advanced Political Communication list, and two courses from the electives list. Please see the department adviser for a complete list of allowable courses. SP CMU 400 and 499 do not count toward the minor.