Speech Communication Discipline

Do you enjoy lively conversation?  Do you find yourself scrutinizing arguments?  Are you curious about communication across cultures?  Do you want to know what the law says about Free Speech?  Do you like to discuss television and films?

You can explore, examine, and critique these topics and more while studying Speech Communication at the University of Minnesota, Morris!

At UMM, Speech Communication is an exciting and multi-faceted academic discipline including studies in the fields of Communication Theory, Mass Media, Rhetoric, and Free Speech.

As a student at UMM, you will have the opportunity to learn about ethical and effective communication in diverse settings and contexts, to participate in speaking, writing, listening, and mass media production, and to create evaluations and analyses of a variety of types of communication.

Speech Communication students at UMM have opportunities to participate in national and international student exchange programs, internships, service learning, and faculty research, and to gain experiences through student activities on campus such as the University Register (campus newspaper), KUMM (student radio), and the Intercollegiate Speech Team (student-run, competitive team.)

OUR GRADUATES HAVE THIS TO SAY:

I graduated in 1998 with an emphasis in mass media. After an internship at a television station, some independent video projects and studio production courses I knew what I wanted to do after school. Looking back, the opportunities I had to guide my education where I wanted it to take me were astounding. My advisor and the speech communication professors took great strides to make sure I was gaining the preparation I needed to enter a very competitive job market. I feel fortunate to work in the field I studied while in school. I'm confident that my time at UMM prepared me for my professional life outside of school. By studying at a liberal arts school I was able to learn about different aspects of the world around me. Like the courses offered at UMM the assignments handed out while working in news are varied, interesting, and challenging. Knowing enough about economics, theater and politics to ask appropriate questions really helped him hit the ground running. The technologies students use to produce television change, I learned to edit video using two vhs decks and a simple control deck, but the theories behind television production and the composition of stories remain constant. It is these theories that have stayed with me while I continue to grow and work in television. Studying speech communication at UMM gave me the foundation needed to build a career in the television industry. Luke Heikkila—Class of 1998 Minnesota Channel Twin Cities Public Television

The Speech Communication curriculum is designed to introduce UMM students to the study of the multidimensional nature of communication, to promote the skills of lifelong learning for producers and consumers of messages, and to develop in students the capabilities for active involvement in a participatory democracy.  The faculty and students in the Speech Communication discipline are dedicated to creating an exciting and intellectually stimulating atmosphere for you!