Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
South Dakota State University. Dept. of Communication Studies and Theatre
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
Speech instruction has long been part of the South Dakota State University curriculum. In the early years, the preparatory department provided public speaking courses for high school students, while the English Department offered instruction in public speaking and rhetoric, including elocution and oral reading. Over time, various departments assumed responsibility for public speaking instruction, including the Elocution and Physical Culture Department, the Public Speaking Department, and again the English Department. A distinct Speech Department first appeared in the 1924 course catalog, offering courses in debate, public speaking, and play production. Required rhetoric courses were moved from the English Department to the Speech Department in 1938.
By the 1950s, the Speech Department was firmly established. The Board of Regents approved a speech major in 1958, and a master’s degree became available. Course offerings expanded to include forensics, drama, and radio, followed by film and television instruction. In the 1970s, the communication disorders program was established within the department to prepare students for careers in speech-language pathology and audiology.
Beyond formal coursework, the department has supported a rich array of extracurricular activities. In the early years, speech and literary societies organized plays and debates that served as major campus events. As these societies declined, student involvement continued through debate competitions, theatrical productions, and work with the State College broadcasting system and campus radio station KAGY.
Since the early 1990s, the department has been known as the Department of Communication Studies and Theatre. It offers programs in speech communication, speech education, theatre, and media production, including radio, television, and film. The department continues to provide numerous opportunities for student engagement through both academic and extracurricular activities.