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Speech is predominantly a discipline of systematic, purposeful
thinking and communicating. The Department of Speech at the
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) offers a graduate program
leading to the MA. The program is designed to accommodate
the academic needs of PhD-bound as well as terminal MA degree
students.
The department has as its primary objectives the development
of knowledge in and instruction concerning the process of
speech communication, which involves three fundamental areas
of emphasis:
- Human message processing — This area involves understanding
the function and structure of the various codes (verbal
and nonverbal) used to form messages in speech communication,
as well as examining the encoding and decoding processes
involved in speech communication.
- Relational communication — This area focuses on
factors that influence growth, maintenance, and termination
of relationships.
- Social influence — This area deals with the processing
of beliefs, attitudes and behavioral modification, including
gaining compliance, conflict resolution, persuasive campaigns,
and propaganda.
Through course work, seminars and research, students in the
MA program obtain a liberal education of considerable breadth
and depth in regard to speech communication theory. Furthermore,
they are afforded ample opportunity to develop their communicative
skills by applying theory in such diverse activities as interviewing,
group discussion, organizational communication, intercultural
communication, public speaking, interpersonal communication,
debate, and performance of literature. Indeed, the basic philosophy
of this department is that there is no surer preparation for
professional life and participation in society than an education
that enhances the ability of the individual to maintain lifelong
learning and the skills to communicate effectively. This philosophy
is reflected in every course and co-curricular program offered.
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Spalding 354