National Honor Societies
The Department of Languages and Communication has chapters in the four national honor societies.
The official honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA), LPH, founded in 1985, takes its name from Aristotle’s classical rhetorical formula for persuasion: logos (lambda), pathos (pi), and ethos (eta). According to the society’s web page, goals include the following:
- Recognize, foster and reward outstanding scholastic achievement in communication studies
- Stimulate interest in the field of communication
- Promote and encourage professional development among communication majors
- Provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas in the field of communication
- Establish and maintain closer relationships between faculty and students
- Explore options for graduate education in communication studies
Go to www.natcom.org and search for “Lambda Pi Eta” to learn more.
Sigma Tau Delta for English
Since 1924, Sigma Tau Delta has sought to do the following for its members and society:
- Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies;
- Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;
- Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing;
- Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members;
- Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and
- Serve society by fostering literacy.
Go to www.english.org/sigmatd/index.shtml for more information.
Sigma Delta Pi for Spanish
Founded in 1919, Sigma Delta Pi has five primary purposes, as stated in the organization’s national by-laws:
- To honor those who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking peoples
- To honor those who have made the Hispanic contributions to modern culture better known in the English-speaking world
- To encourage college and university students to acquire a greater interest in and a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture
- To foster friendly relations and mutual respect between the nations of Hispanic speech and those of English speech
- To serve its membership in ways which will contribute to the attainment of the goals and ideals of the society.
See www.sigmadeltapi.org for an in-depth look at this historic honor society.
Alpha Mu Gamma for Foreign Languages
According to its homepage at Los Angeles City College, where the society was formed in 1931, “Alpha Mu Gamma has as its primary purpose the honoring of students for outstanding achievement during their first year of foreign language study in college. However, students may be admitted at any stage in their college career.” The name comes from the Greek phrase “Amphi Mouse Glosson,” which means “for the Muse of Languages.”
See www.lacitycollege.edu/academic/honor/amg/homepage.html for additional details.
Clubs and Organizations
The Department of Languages and Communication has an award-winning intercollegiate debate team and an active student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Check the LCOM Facebook page, Twitter feed, and bulletin boards in Hilliard Hall for notices about meeting dates and times.