Standards for Oral Communication

The College expects effective use of public and academic discourse as defined and appraised by the faculty and the College community. Many courses across the curriculum require class participation through discussion, performance and debate, as well as through individual or group presentations. Most departments require a public presentation of their concentrators' Senior Projects. Students may develop their speaking abilities and public presence through courses designated as "Speaking Intensive" (SI). The College offers support in this area through the Oral Communication Center.

Speaking-Intensive Student Learning Outcomes Communication is a highly contextual activity. Likewise, evaluating oral communication should be done with an understanding of the audience, context, and genre in determining the appropriateness or effectiveness of communication. In work that serves oral communication, students will

• Organize appropriately selected materials into cogent messages delivered orally.
• Use verbal and nonverbal delivery elements that complement each other and are mutually supporting.
• Respond appropriately to others’ messages by using active listening strategies.