School of Speech and Dramatic Art Records
A description of its records at the Syracuse University Archives
Summary |
|
| Creator: | Syracuse University. -- School of Speech and Dramatic Art. |
| Title: | School of Speech and Dramatic Art Records |
| Dates: | 1898-1993 |
| Size: | 35 boxes, 3 loose volumes and 1 package (27.5 linear feet) |
| Abstract: | The School of Speech and Dramatic Art Records contain materials such as correspondence, faculty minutes, pamphlets, memos, programs and course bulletins from and relating to the various departments of the school. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
Historical Note
In 1910, Syracuse University’s newly founded Department of Oratory took over the University’s speech communication courses. These courses had previously been dispersed between the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Fine Arts but could now be found in one department under the College of Fine Arts. Just a few years later, in 1913, the Department of Oratory became the School of Oratory at the recommendation of Chancellor James R. Day. The Bachelor of Arts degree in oral English conferred by the School of Oratory was the first of its kind in the United States.
In 1921, the dramatics at the University were formally organized into dramatic art, speech art, forensics and speech science departments. To reflect this change, the School of Oratory was then renamed the School of Public Speech and Dramatic Art. Lewis Parmenter directed the first drama courses at the School of Public Speech and Dramatic Art. Editha A. Parsons and then Sawyer Falk (who came to the University in 1927 and became head of the new drama department and of the Boar’s Head Dramatic Society) expanded the program. In 1941 the school omitted the word “Public” in its name and became the School of Speech and Dramatic Art.
The school was eventually structured into six departments which included (1) the Department of Public Address; (2) the Department of Speech Education; (3) the Department of Interpretation (in which students learned to improve their speaking voice and to increase their appreciation of imaginative literature); (4) the Department of Drama; (5) the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology; (6) the Department of Television and Radio. This last department had a center for radio and another for television; the television studio was the first in the nation to be designed, built and operated by a university.
In 1972, the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) was formed, taking the place of the College of Fine Arts. As part of this restructuring, the School of Speech and Dramatic Art moved under the umbrella of VPA. Under VPA, the school was then split into two departments: the Department of Drama and the Department of Speech Communication (later renamed the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies). Audio and speech pathology were moved to the School of Education.
Scope and Content Note
The School of Speech and Dramatic Art Records contain publications, brochures, correspondence, faculty minutes, reading and recital programs, bulletins, grant proposals, production plans and schedules, clippings and photos relating to the Drama Department, the School of Oratory, Speech Communications, the Television and Radio Center and the School of Speech and Dramatic Art in general. Also included are materials relating to off-campus drama productions.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
The collection is currently unprocessed and not available for research.
School, college and department records are restricted to the office of origin for 30 years. Faculty personnel files are restricted for 80 years from date of separation from the University.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Related Material
The University Archives holds clipping files and Photograph Collection files related to the School of Speech and Dramatic Art.
Selected Search Terms
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Subjects
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
School of Speech and Dramatic Art Records,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
The University Archives obtained the materials in this collection through donations by the Drama Department, the College of Visual and Performing Arts and alumni.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Jen Bort
Date: 2016
Revision history: 2016 - Reference materials added to collection and finding aid updated (AES);
Mar 2022 - Restriction added (HVA)