The Department of Communication and Speech

Express your passion, explore the body-mind-spirit connection, and prepare for a successful career--and life--with a degree from York College in communication. 

YC's Communication and Speech Department:

• Nurtures each student to better appreciate and understand expressive communication.
• Prepares students for confident and competent entry into their chosen fields, whether that be graduate school or their initial professional experience.
• Provides students with a balance of communication theory and practical application.
• Offers a variety of opportunities to be involved. There are multiple performance opportunities through the theatre program as well as other departmental venues.
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If you have questions about the Communication and Speech Department, or would like to schedule a tour of the program, please contact  Mr. John I. Baker III, Chair of the Department of Communication and Speech.

Tracks within the Communication Major:

Business Communication

Communication Theatre

Communication Speech Theory

Meet Our Faculty

Mr. John I. Baker, III
Associate Professor of Communication
Department Chair

Mr. Stephen R. Detlefs
Adjunct Instructor of Communication

 

Alumni Success

Caleb Rush '10
Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Justice Tommy Bryan at the Supreme Court of Alabama, Editor-in-Chief of Faulkner Law Review

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Dr. Shannon Leinen '07
MBA Program Director & Assistant Professor of Business
​Concordia University
Owner and Operator, The Washing Well

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Angela Horchem '03
​Producer, performer, and educator at Theatre 3, Tucson, AZ. Prior positions include artistic director, college instructor, and clown therapist

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Adam Hoehn '04
Actor & Rock Performer
​Dellacoma Rio
Australia

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Zach Ahrens '03
​President and Publisher
Topeka Capital-Journal
Morris Publishing Group
Previously President and Publisher
Log Cabin Democrat, WINC Magazine
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Business Communication

A Business Communication degree provides significant career options including:

• Public Relations
• Human Resources
• Advertising
• Office Management
• Health and Human Services
• Insurance
• Real Estate

Aside from graduate studies in Business Communication, other advanced study options include:

• Law
• Business Management
• Communication
• Education
  

If you have questions about the Communication and Speech Department, or would like to schedule a tour of the program, please contact  Mr. John I. Baker III, Chair of the Department of Communication and Speech.

Courses

 

Some of the courses you may take include: 

• Communication Theory
• Business Communications
• Business Law
• Newswriting Practicum
• Argumentation​

• Computer Software Applications
• Interviewing
• Radio and Television
• Interpersonal Communication
• Written Journalism

 

Communication, Speech Theory 

A Speech Communication degree provides significant career options including:

• Interpersonal Communication
• Organizational Communication
• Small group Communication
• Public Communication
• Advertising
• Performance Communication 

Aside from graduate studies in Speech Communication, other advanced study options include:

• Law
• Ministry
• Negotiation
• Consulting
• Business
• Politics
• Mass Media

Courses

 

Some of the courses you may take include:

• Argumentation
  
• Oral Interpretation
  
• Communication Theory
• Persuassion
• Radio & Television
• Public Relations

• Advanced Public Speaking
• Interpersonal Communication
• Principles of Advertising
• Small Group Communication
• Communication/Business Seminar

 

Communication, Theatre

The YC Theatre Season provides multiple opportunities for students to gain experience on and off stage. Each season includes a fall comedy or musical, one-acts, spring drama and the traveling Children's Theatre. YC students learn all aspects of production including performance, costuming and prop management, make-up, set design, set construction, stage crew, lighting, sound, and ticketing. Performances and classes prepare students for their own artistic and academic futures. The theatre program prepares students for work in:

• Directing
• Acting
• Technical Theatre
• Costuming

Aside from graduate studies in theatre, other advanced study options include:

• Communication
• Theatre Education
• Music and Musical Theatre Performance

Courses

 

Some of the courses you may take include

• Drama Survey
• Stage Makeup
• Auditioning
• Oral Interpretation
• Acting

• Technical Theatre
• Stage Movement
• Directing
• Play Production
• Planning and Producing a Musical Production

 

Program Learning Outcomes

1. The learner will be able to recognize the theories and principles of communication
2. The learner will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the writing skills found in the communication discipline.
3. The learner will be able to utilize communication performance skills.
4. The learner will be able to apply the principles of human communication to practice.
5. The learner will demonstrate a preparedness for entry in their respective area of communication and/or graduate studies.

Learn More About the Communication Department

Schedule Your Campus Visit