The Department of Speech (SP) has as its primary objectives the development of knowledge in and instruction concerning the process of speech communication. This involves three fundamental areas of emphasis.

The first area deals with human message processing. This 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.

The second area of emphasis is relational communication, which focuses on factors that influence growth, maintenance, and termination of relationships.

The third area of emphasis is social influence, dealing with the processing of beliefs, attitudes, and/or behavioral modification, including gaining compliance, conflict resolution, persuasive campaigns, and propaganda.

Speech is predominantly a discipline of systematic, purposeful thinking and communicating. Our students 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--and it is stressed in every course and co-curricular program offered--is that there is no surer preparation for professional life and participation in society than an education which enhances the ability of the individual to maintain lifelong learning and the skills to communicate effectively.

Source: University of Hawai`i at Manoa 2005-2006 Catalog, p. 172

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