SPC 151(2) - 451(2) - Debate
1 Credit(s)
Open to all students interested in learning or in polishing and employing existing skills in the fundamentals of debate. The Hillsdale College Debate Team is nationally recognized as one of the finest in the country. The course includes instruction in debate technique and style, and participation in both on- and off-campus tournaments. Students may repeat the course for credit each semester during their four-year course of study.

SPC 161(2) - 461(2) - Forensics
1 Credit(s)
Open to all students interested in learning the fundamentals of competitive public speaking, or in polishing and employing existing skills. The Hillsdale College Individual Events Team actively and aggressively pursues regional excellence. The course includes instruction in Individual Events techniques in the areas of informative, persuasive, extemporaneous, and impromptu speaking, as well as in the oral interpretation of prose, poetry and drama. Students participate in an active season of on- and off-campus tournaments. Students may repeat the course for credit each semester during their four-year course of study.

SPC 201 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication
3 Credit(s)
The theory and process of shaping ideas into an effective oral presentation. Particular attention is paid to selecting supporting materials, arranging ideas in a logical manner, and delivering the speech effectively. Emphasis is placed on an extemporaneous style of presenting informative and persuasive speeches, with opportunities also provided for impromptu speaking experiences.

SPC 240 - Introduction to Broadcasting
3 Credit(s)
Includes discussion of the development of the broadcast media in the U.S. and elsewhere, the regulatory function of the Federal Communications Commission and the organization of the media, both at network and local levels. It provides some practical experience with writing and performing basic types of programming that are to be found on radio and television today.

SPC 275 - The Performing Voice
3 Credit(s)
Oral interpretation teaches the art of communicating to an audience a work of literary art in its intellectual, emotional and aesthetic entirety. The course will be tailored both to the student of acting and to the student of platform (or microphone) oratory. Students will be coached in performing selections from all genres of literature, but special emphasis will be given to storytelling and to dramatic verse.

SPC 285 - Interpersonal Communication
3 Credit(s)
Provides an arena to examine the necessity of specific communicative processes and understandings particular to intepersonal interaction. Students will examine the processes of interpersonal communication at the levels of theory, analysis and performance. Course objectives include process understanding, awareness of nonverbal patterning, improved listening (data, cricital, empathetic), understanding of speech and self-disclosure issues, and the recognition and analysis of ethical dilemmas.

SPC 290 - The Western Tradition of Rhetoric I
3 Credit(s)
A survey of the major developments in the theory and practice of rhetoric in Western Civilization, beginning with the ancient Greek and Roman traditions. The course explores the historical relationship between rhetoric and truth, knowledge, and the political order. Readings and lectures are designed to encourage students to engage such enduring issues as the ethical responsibilities of the public persuader and the exercise of the rights and responsibilities of free speech in a democratic society. Students will examine the works of such figures as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Quintillian and St. Augustine.

SPC 291 - The Western Tradition of Rhetoric II
3 Credit(s)
A survey of the major developments in the theory and practice of rhetoric in Western Civilization, beginning with the Renaissance. The Belles Lettres, Enlightenment and Modern Periods in the Western Tradition are explored. This course continues to explore the relationship between rhetoric and truth, knowledge and the political order that began with the Greek and Roman traditions of public persuasion. Readings and lectures are designed to encourage students to engage rhetorical theory at the levels of theory building, philosophy, application and analysis. Students will examine the works of such figures as Erasmus, Ramus, Campbell, Whately, Blair, Burke, Vico and Richards.

SPC 301 - Movies as Medium
3 Credit(s)
A historical and critical survey of the film as art in the 20th century. The course includes opportunities for analysis of dozens of important films from historical, artistic, technological, formal and musical perspectives. Students in this course will work in teams to create a short film.

SPC 303 - Business Communication
3 Credit(s)
This course allows students to examine not only the theories, but also the practical applications of those theories to communcation in the business environment. Students in this course will examine the communication constraints imposed at the functional levels of group and interpersonal management in organizations. Students will engage in qualititative problem solving, address issues of written and oral communcation, and prepare analytical cases as a means of application.

SPC 310 - Argumentation: Theory and Practice
3 Credit(s)
Analysis of the types of reasoning commonly employed in argumentative discourse. Students learn to apply standard argumentation issues to central propositions of fact, value and policy; to employ them in argument; and to recognize the refutations to which they are susceptible.

SPC 320 - Advanced Public Speaking
3 Credit(s)
The theory and process of preparing and delivering specialized forms of public speeches. Emphasis is placed on a variety of types of persuasive and ceremonial speeches. Students are provided the opportunity to develop a personal rhetorical style appropriate for impromptu, extemporaneous and manuscript speaking. Prerequisite: SPC 201 or permission of the instructor.

SPC 325 - Speech Composition
3 Credit(s)
A consideration of the elements necessary to effective speech writing. Through the study of rhetorical masterpieces, students learn elements of style and arrangement especially suitable for discourse written for oral communication. Emphasis is on student production of original speech manuscripts. Prerequisite: SPC 201 or permission of instructor. SPC 320 preferred.

SPC 340 - Practicum in Broadcasting
3 Credit(s)
The course requires extensive participation in the writing, performing and production of programming for radio and television. It provides practical experience in the production of news, sports and entertainment programming in a laboratory situation. Prerequisite: SPC 240 or permission from instructor or program director.

SPC 356 - Organizational Communication
3 Credit(s)
The theory and processes of communication in organizations. Through such techniques as role playing, problem solving and presentations, emphasis is placed on the communicative processes and functions of individuals in groups. Leadership, image building and the use of influence will be topics. Inventories based on business norms, as well as videotaping, will be part of the learning experience.

SPC 370 - Leadership in Group Dynamics
3 Credit(s)
Examines the role of communication in the productivity of task-oriented groups. Special attention is paid to the function of communication in group development, leadership emergence, conflict and cohesion.

SPC 393 - Seminar in Speech Studies: Variable Topics
3 Credit(s)
A seminar concerned with the interrelation of rhetorical theory and practice: questions of theory, politics, philosophy and cultural history. Offered as needed, specific topics vary, and the course may be taken for credit more than once.

SPC 401 - Theories of Persuasion
3 Credit(s)
An investigation into the theoretical bases for understanding the dynamics of persuasive communication from the interpersonal to the social level. The main focus is on major social scientific models which seek to explain the relationship between persuasive messages and attitude change. Students will study the process of persuasion in various contexts, including advertising, interpersonal communication, political communication and mass media.

SPC 440 - Internship in Broadcasting
3 Credit(s)
Involves on-the-job experience at a commercial radio station and includes supervision by the station’s personnel. The student will be exposed to the numerous support functions which make radio broadcasting possible. Prerequisite: permission of the supervisor.

SPC 450 - Political Rhetoric and the Electronic Media
3 Credit(s)
Examines the impact of the mass media on American democratic political culture. Explores the influence of television on the rise of image and style over substance and rationality in political rhetoric. Addresses changes in political communication brought about by public opinion polling, political advertising, television news reporting and computer technology.

SPC 453 - Theories of Rhetoric
3 Credit(s)
An extensive examination of contemporary ideas about the nature and function of rhetoric. Students will conduct in-depth readings into the works of such major figures as I.A. Richards, Marshall McLuhan, Richard Weaver, Kenneth Burke, Jurgen Habermas, Stuart Hall, and Michel Foucault. Emphasis will be placed on the implications of rhetorical theory for notions of truth, ethics, knowledge, rationality and the political order. Prerequisite: SPC 290 or permission of instructor.

SPC 455 - History of American Public Address
3 Credit(s)
The study of speeches influential in shaping public life in America, especially within the political sphere. Primary emphasis is placed upon the textual analysis of selected speeches for the purpose of discovering the rhetorical dynamics, as well as linking each speech to its historical context. Special attention is paid to the changing nature and function of oratorical culture throughout American history.

SPC 463 - Methods of Rhetorical Analysis
3 Credit(s)
An exploration of the major methodological approaches to the explanation of the persuasive dynamics of rhetoric. Students will learn to write analyses of specific instances of rhetoric from various theoretical bases, including neo-Aristotelean, ethical, dramatistic, ideological, and postmodern perspectives. Prerequisite: SPC 290 or permission of the instructor.

SPC 575 - Senior Thesis
3 Credit(s)

SPC 597 - Special Problems and Research
1-3 Credit(s)
Individual work on a topic or problem selected and supervised by the speech and theatre staff. Prerequisites: second-semester junior standing and permission of the staff member selected to be in charge of the student’s work. Enrollment in this course is limited to those who have chosen speech or theatre as their field of concentration. Offered on demand.

SPC 599 - Assistantship Honors
2 Credit(s)