M E D E D I T H
HEDALD
Vol 5 No.8
Meredith College, Raleigh, NC 27607
November 14,1989
Major in Speech Approved by Academic Council
On Tuesday, Sept. 5, the Academic
Council met and approved a new majcn- in
Speech. Hie proposal was presented for its
final reading by Dr. Jc4m Creagh, coordina
tor of Speech and Theater, and, after con
siderable discussion, the motion was car
ried.
''It's been a long time coming,” said
Dr. Creagh, who has been working on this
particular proposal for two years. “I think
the reascm that it has taten so long, is that a
lot of peq>le just didn’t know what a speech
major is. So the biggest part of the job was
informing the members of ttie council about
typical speech majors at other institutions
and then showing them that this proposal
follows their example. I did a comparison
of the requirements for ^leech majors at 14
other schools, including most branches of
the University of North Carolina, Ohio
State University, Louisiana State Univer
sity, South Florida, Wake Forest, and the
University fo Texas at Austin. There are
more requirements and fewer electives in
Meredith’s major than in these model
schools, but the ovenll content of the course-
work is almost identical.”
Some of Meredith’s requirements are
taught in departments such as Business,
Psychology, and Politics, but Creagh says
that “Speech should not be considered an
interdisciplinary major. There has been a
strict rationale for the inclusion of each of
the courses from other departments. Each
course has been included because it focuses
on the process of human commimication in
some particular context: interpersonal,
public, poUtical, social, organizational, or
aesthetic.”
The major in Speech is designed to de
velop skills in public and interpersonal
communication, as well as the clear, logi
cal, and creative expression of ideas. But a
maj(»’ in speech requires die student to do a
lot moe t^ develop ccMnmunication skills.
There is a tremendous and growing body of
theory and research in the field, and sm-
dents must become acquainted with this
knowledge in cvder to understand the way
communication fimctions in society, cul
ture, business, and the arts.
The requirements for the major are
printed below as they will appear in next
year’s catalogue.
SPEECH
The courses in Speech are designed to
develop skills in public and interpersonal
communication, critical thinking, as well
as the clear, logical, and creative expres
sion of ideas. Courses also impart a thor
ough understanding of the way communi
cation functions in society, culture, busi
ness, and the arts.
A major in Speech prepares a student
for many different careers including public
relations, advertising, management and
administration, personnel work, counsel
ing, radio and television, politics, or any
other career that emphasizes effective com
munication. Speech is recommended as
pre-professional training for graduate work
in business, law, and advanced degrees in
commimication. Speech is also an ideal
second major for students pursuing degrees
in Business, Education, English, Politics,
Psychology, or Sociology.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE B.A.
IN SPEECH:
continued on page 5
Phonathon Raises over $200,000 in Pledges
by Sui^ Worley
The results are in for the 1989
Phonathon. During the month of Octob^,
the Phonathon obtained over $200,000 in
pledges.
**It was a great success,” according to
Paula Puckett, Vice President of annnal
giving for the Student Foimdatin. 6,126
parents and alumnae were contacted and
there were 3,407 pledges. The average
pledge was $60.33. Participants included
100 student volunteer callers, 16 alumnae
volimteers and 15 faculty hosts.
The money raised firom parrat pledges
will go toward a new security system.
Mcney from reunion classes will go toward
the refurbishm^at of the residence hall
parlors. Money from non-reunion classes
will go eithw to the General College fund or
any place the alumna ^ignntflR the mooey.
Raleigh businesses provided gift cer
tificates as incentives for callers. Harris
Teeter provided pizza and soft drinks.
Alumnae provided top caller beach and
mountain weekends. U.S. Air provided the
total top caller tickets.
Overall class totals are as follows:
Seniors $60,222
lumen's $54,221
SophomcH-es $48,055
Freshmen $43,045