Rock Valley College
Rockford, Illinois

Academics

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Whether your plan is to take classes and transfer to a four-year university or enter one of our career programs designed to get you into the workforce right away, Rock Valley College has what you are looking for. Select from one of our more than 60 transfer areas or more than 30 career programs.

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Course Listing Check out a comprehensive list of courses offered at RVC...

Admission

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At Rock Valley College, you're not just a number. Our highly respected faculty have master's degrees, doctorates and real-world experience. You won't be competing for attention in a huge lecture hall. Our average class size is 21, so you'll get a chance to interact, challenge and be challenged by your instructors.

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Get Started! Find out how to get started at RVC! We make it easy for you to pursue your goals...

Student Life

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Have fun. Try stuff. RVC gives you opportunities to get involved. There are lots of student activities to choose from. We offer more than 20 clubs and organizations. Try your hands at student government. Join the staff of our campus newspaper. What's it going to be?

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Get Engaged! Join a club, attend events, become a student leader. What's your passion?

Student Services

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Whether you are new to the college or know your way around, we have a variety of services designed to help you succeed. We're here for you every step of the way.

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How can we help? Our focus is on student success. We're here to ensure you reach your goals.

Athletics

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RVC competes in NJCAA Division III in men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, golf, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis. Not to brag, but we're pretty good at it. Our teams have won seven national championships and we have had more than 100 All-Americans.

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Camps RVC volleyball is hosting three camps this summer. Register now!

Library

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The Estelle M. Black Library at Rock Valley College features nearly 75,000 volumes and more than 650 periodicals, and access to the interlibrary loan system. It also features spaces for individual and group study, and if you get thirsty, there's a coffee shop in the lobby!

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Library Catalog Search our online catalog.

Speech

Course Descriptions

SPH-131
Fundamentals of Communication
IAI: C2 900
Fundamentals of Communication is a beginning course in the theory and practice of speech communication. Attention is given to listening, interpersonal and group communication, public speaking. Students will develop more confidence and skill in oral communication.
Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in ENG-099; or ENG-101-Ready.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

SPH-132
Public Speaking
IAI: None
Public Speaking prepares students for effective public address through development of important rhetorical skills, including audience analysis, research, content development, attention devices, and delivery. Students will prepare oral presentations which apply advanced rhetorical theory.
Prerequisite: Sufficiently high assessment test score, or grade of C or higher in ENG 098 or ENG 099.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

SPH-142
Gender Communication
IAI: SPC 917
Gender Communication is an introductory examination of the communication differences between men and women. Students will become more aware of how (1) gender roles influence communication and (2) how gender expectancies are constructed through communication.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

SPH-201
Interpersonal Communication
IAI: None
Interpersonal Communications examines the ways in which people relate with each other. Relationships in family, work and social contexts will be examined in order to improve communication skills for satisfying encounters.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

SPH-202
Intercultural Communication
IAI: None
Intercultural Communication is a study of communication among people who have different cultural backgrounds. The course will focus on the impact of verbal and nonverbal communications, belief systems, use of power, masculine and feminine roles, and language on intercultural communication. Students will develop communication skills to overcome intercultural barriers.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

SPH-204
Non-Verbal Communication
IAI: None
This course is the study of how humans communicate through the use of body movements, touching, vocal variations, and the use of space, time and objects or artifacts. The course will discuss the effects of gender and culture on nonverbal communication.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

SPH-211
Group Leadership
IAI: SPC 920
Group Leadership is a study of leadership techniques and their interrelationship with group dynamics. Students will participate in varied group analyses and problem-solving discussions.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

SPH-230
Fundmntls of Oral Interpret of Literatur
IAI: TA 916
Fundamentals of Oral Interpretation of Literature is a basic introduction to the experience of literature through reading aloud and listening to varied genres of prose, poetry, and drama. Interrelationships between literature, reader, and listener are examined to improve oral recitation.
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 3 semester hours
Lecture: 3 Lab: 0

SPH-299
Communication Education Internship
IAI: None
Communication Education Internship provides exceptional communications students the opportunity to team-teach a speech course with a full-time faculty member. The student attends all class sessions, manages class exercises, and offers oral and written reviews of oral performances. The goal of this internship is preparation for a career in communication education. Students may earn a maximum of four credits. This may repeated one time.
Prerequisite: Instructor consent
Credit: 2 semester hours
Lecture: 0 Lab: 2