Abstract
This article examines the placement of speech programs within English departments and evaluates the historical, structural, and professional implications of that arrangement. It traces the shared origins of oratory and philology that produced broad English units and explains why some institutions continue to house speech alongside literature, composition, journalism, theatre, and film. The analysis identifies liabilities that arise from disciplinary misunderstanding, staffing of basic public speaking by non specialists, and tenure and promotion reviews that apply criteria from two fields at once. It also notes potential strengths, including exposure to diverse scholarly perspectives and wider publication outlets beyond speech journals. Practical strategies are proposed for professional integration, such as developing seminars in rhetorical theory that serve department needs, expanding publication targets to adjacent disciplines, using grants and interlibrary resources to offset limited collections, and increasing program visibility through public events and collaborations. The discussion concludes that speech professionals can achieve recognition and career growth in English departments by linking disciplinary identity with collegial engagement and by broadening scholarly audiences.
Recommended Citation
Duffy, Bernard K.
(1986)
"The Speech Professional in an English Department,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 58, Article 13.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol58/iss1/13
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