SPCOM 101Theories of Communication
- Faculty
- Arts
- Last listed
- Spring 2023
No longer offered. It was in Waterloo’s course catalog since at least Winter 2020 (as far back as Open Data goes) to Spring 2023 and last ran in Winter 2023. It isn’t in the 2024–25 or later calendars.
When it ran
- W20
- F20
- S21
- F21
- W22
- F22
- W23
Ran in 7 terms, Winter 2020 to Winter 2023.
This is an introductory course addressing the major theoretical issues in, approaches to, and applications of communication. Theories from various branches of communication, including interpersonal, group/organizational, rhetorical, mass and cultural, will be explored in-depth. Historical, current, and practical critiques of each theory will be conducted. Coursework is designed to encourage students to give critical consideration to the place of theory within the field of Speech Communication and within everyday life.
Reviewed on UW Flow
77% liked it45% easy73% useful
From 31 ratings and 13 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
I am NOT a theory person, I just took it because it was required. There're a lot of readings and I personally didn't find them that engaging.
May 2018 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This course was strictly listening-writing, with no power points or multimedia techniques used, so it can be difficult to keep up with the material if you are not a fast writer. The course pack is necessary for 3 of the assignments and the final deliberation assignment. He discusses the readings in class, but they are not mandatory for the final test worth 25% of your final grade. Grade breakdown was 5 in class writing assignments worth 5% each, 3 papers with a combined weight of 25%, a final test on theories covered in class worth 25%, and a final deliberation paper worth 25%.
Mar 2015 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Took this course back in Fall 2021 online with Svec. I'm not a communications student, took it for arts breadth requirements. If you are interested in learning about theories then you will enjoy this class. His lectures were basically podcasts, but they were engaging like he was conversing with you. The textbook is necessary. You can get a decent grade if you complete all the assignments (discussion assignments, tests, application assignment, concept map), but your work needs to be above and beyond to get 90+.
Sep 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Was a pretty interesting class even though I am not a SPCOM student. The weekly journals were a good way to boost your mark. Prof Henry Svec was really nice and understanding, often extending deadlines to help us with our workloads.
May 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
A useful course that opens your mind!
Dec 2016 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
11 posts and comments in 8 threads mention SPCOM 101, October 2015 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2022
Prof having a meltdown 377 points, 151 comments
u/Select-Protection-75: “… Courses Taught · SPCOM 101 – Theories of Communication · SPCOM 204 – Leadership, Teams and Communication · SPCOM 227 – Leadership · SPCOM 228 – Public Communication · SPCOM 323 – Speech Writing · SPCOM 324 – Small Group Communication · SPCOM 420 – Persuasion · SPCOM 475 – …”
Spring 2022
SPCOM 101 or SPCOM 223 2 points, 11 comments
u/ClassicKk1230: “Which course is lighter SPCOM 101 (Theories of Communications) or SPCOM 223 (Public Speaking) for first year?”
u/Kraken_Fish_221: “Same. But do you want to do 3 speeches (223) or write and midterm and final (101)?”
u/ClassicKk1230: “Did you take SPCOM 101?”
Winter 2019
What course did you spend the least amount of work on? 7 points, 29 comments
“Looking for bird courses to take next term that I can spend 1 hour a week on and still pass. Also with no exam.”
u/Level126: “SPCOM 101 - It's only for AFM students but I'd imagine SPCOM 223 is similar but I don't think anyone would have taken both so might be tough to compare. SPCOM 101 did not have a final exam.”
u/qauashow: “I have taken spcom 101 and spcom 223 lol I'd say spcom 223 has less work load than 111 as 223 does not have any popup or scheduled quizzes in class (which means no necessary assigned reading). Three major presentations only.”
Spring 2018
What it's like taking any arts class 145 points, 48 comments
u/roaming_prophet: “Um no arts class I’ve been in has done this lol which ones have you been to?”
u/swifttostart: “… SPCOM 101 - Marxist professor who hated Trump and made it very vocal ENGL 109 - Another Marxist professor who showed us a few vids of John Oliver mocking Trump And that was only my first year. More to come! I don’t respect Trump. …”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “… 217 SPAN 223W SPAN 260W SPAN 301A SPAN 326 SPAN 390 SPAN 401 SPAN 436W SPAN 465W SPCOM 100 SPCOM 101 SPCOM 102 SPCOM 204 SPCOM 220 SPCOM 223 SPCOM 225 SPCOM 226 SPCOM 227 SPCOM 228 SPCOM 324 SPCOM 335 SPCOM 399 SPCOM 401 SPCOM 430 SPCOM 433 SPCOM 490 SPCOM 499A STAT 202 STAT 206 …”
Spring 2017
I have four courses this semester. Is that normal?? 1 point, 20 comments
“I thought you were supposed to have 5 classes per semester but my schedule shows only four. I'm an incoming student so this is all jew to me. …”
u/StarryHeaven101: “First of all, what program are you in? What courses are you currently enrolled in? Second of all, did you select your own courses? If so, how many did you select?”
u/Jainaaa: “I'm in ARTS with a prospective major in English Co-op. These are my classes: 1. ENGL 109 2. ENGL 101A 3. SPCOM 101 4. PHIL 110A 5. VCULT 100 WINTER COURSES -------------- 1. CLAS 104 2. PACS 101 3. KOREA 101R 4. RS 100 5. PHIL 101”
Spring 2016
How do people get 90's in UW Science and other courses in general? 1 point, 25 comments
u/UWScience: “… These are my 2B courses for September: Organic Chem (with lab) Microbiology (with lab) Stats 202 SPCOM 101 Psych 253 If anyone has taken these courses, how did you do well? I want to start getting high 80's and maybe even 90's one day. …”
u/darwinbitch: “… PSYCH 253 is a little trickier than most 200 level PSYCH courses (prepare to read!!) SPCOM 101 I heard is easy (haven't done). …”
Fall 2015
Math students who have taken public speaking or interpersonal communication- do they suck? 5 points, 9 comments
“I'm in intro to academic writing this term and looking at one of these two for my second communications course. Are they bad? What are some good courses? …”
u/Bbox55: “I'm in CS, took SPCOM223. It's the best. Better than spcom101 IMHO.”
Check it elsewhere
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2022–23Its last calendar entry, on ucalendar
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them