Program Contacts: QC Campus Michelle Johnson, 309-796-5370, johnsonm@bhc.edu East Campus Vashti Berry, 309-854-1711, berryv@bhc.edu
Students planning to major in speech at a four-year institution should follow the Black Hawk College Associate in Arts curriculum. The completion of the course of study outlined will satisfy graduation requirements of Black Hawk College. Since universities may require specific courses for a speech major, students should consult with the Advising area at Black Hawk College for additional information.
Students taking the introductory course will learn to research, organize, and present material in individual oral presentations. Other courses offer instruction and activities in business and professional communication, including interviewing, resume preparation, and letters of application. There are opportunities to develop skills in informal person-to-person communication and in communicating with people from different cultures. Skills gained in these classes should enrich the personal lives of students by improving their poise, self-confidence, and effectiveness in oral communication. Skills gained in these courses should be valuable in gaining desirable employment and in receiving promotion.
Excellence in communication prepares students for employment in such diverse areas as law, sales, personnel management, teaching, public relations, and the ministry.
ENG 101 Composition I Prerequisite: ACT English score of 22-30 or appropriate COMPASS score; or English 091 “C” or better.
English 101 is designed for students who are competent in the fundamentals of composition. Students will write essays using a variety of expository strategies and will apply standard techniques of documentation when appropriate.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: C1 900 (Grade of “C” or higher required for this course to be eligible to be included in the IAI General Education Core Curriculum.)
ENG 102 Composition II Prerequisite: English 101 “C” or better.
English 102 is a continuation of English 101, is a required composition course that involves reading, discussion, and analysis of a body of literature to generate ideas for critical and persuasive papers, including one documented research paper.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: C1 901R (Grade of “C” or higher required for this course to be eligible to be included in the IAI General Education Core Curriculum.)
SPEC 101 Principles of Speech Communication
The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The oral communication course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking and speaking.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: C2 900
SPEC 111 Business and Professional Communication
Examines factors which influence communication in the organization, including management styles, nonverbal communication, personalities, leadership, formal/informal channels and interviewing.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.
SPEC 114 Interpersonal Communications
Examines skills needed in informal face-to-face communication; emphasizes self-concept and interaction with others.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.
SPEC 175 Intercultural Communications
Promotes awareness, knowledge, and skills for communicating among persons of differing cultural backgrounds. Focuses on cultures with whom U.S. Americans interact.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.
SPEC 210 Public Speaking Prerequisite: SPEC 101.
Examines the use of oral persuasion in our society. The theories of persuasion are studied, political speeches analyzed and persuasive skills developed through oral presentations.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week.
THEA 111 Introduction to Theatre Arts
Theatre as a major fine art form through contribution of playwright, actor, director, designer, and technician.
3 credit hours: 3 lecture hours; 0 lab hours per week. IAI: F1 907
Course of Study Outline First Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
ENG 101 — Composition I (3)
Life Science (4)
Social and Behavioral Science (3)
SPEC 101 — Principles of Speech Communications (3)
THEA 111 — Introduction to Theatre (3)
Second Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
ENG 102 — Composition II (3)
Mathematics (3)
Physical Science (3)
SPEC 114 — Interpersonal Communications (3)
SPEC 210 — Public Speaking (3)
Third Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
Humanities (3)
Mathematics or Computer Science (3)
Social and Behavioral Science (3)
SPEC 111 — Business & Professional Communications (3)
Elective (6)
Fourth Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
Humanities or Fine Arts (3)
Social and Behavioral Science (3)
SPEC 175 — Intercultural Communications (3)
Elective (6)
