Goals and Objectives
The Speaking-Intensive Program has several goals and accompanying objectives. The objectives suggest activities and outcomes that will enable the College to determine whether or not the goals set by the Speaking-Intensive Program are being fulfilled.
Goal #1
The Speaking-Intensive Program will enhance student learning:
- Objective I: Speaking-Intensive courses use oral communication activities appropriate to the subject matter and goals of the course as a means to increase student learning in the course.
- Objective II: Speaking-Intensive courses will increase the student’s general critical thinking ability.
Goal #2
The Speaking-Intensive Program will provide students with the knowledge of theory and principles necessary for them to understand how to communicate more effectively:
- Objective I: Upon completion of a Speaking-Intensive course, students will understand and be able to explain the conventions and expectations of oral communication as practiced within the subject-matter discipline represented by the course.
- Objective II: Upon completion of a Speaking-Intensive course, students will understand and be able to identify basic theories and principles of oral communication relevant to the speaking activities used in the course.
- Objective III: Upon completion of a Speaking-Intensive course, students will understand and be able to explain the differences between varying modes of communication (such as writing and speaking, formal presentation and group interaction, etc.).
- Objective IV: Upon completion of a Speaking-Intensive course, students will be able to formulate oral messages after a conscious process in which various options are reviewed and will be able to explain (and defend) their choices.
Goal #3
The Speaking-Intensive Program will provide students with sufficient and appropriate opportunities to develop an appreciation of the importance of oral communication in both academic and non-academic settings:
- Objective I: Upon completion of the Speaking-Intensive course requirement, students will express increased appreciation for the importance of oral communication competence as a component in effective classroom learning.
- Objective II: Upon completion of the Speaking-Intensive course requirement, students will express increased appreciation for the importance of oral communication competence as a component in one’s personal, social, and occupational development.
Goal #4
The Speaking-Intensive Program will provide students with a variety of contexts in which they may obtain and practice oral communication skills:
- Objective I: Speaking-Intensive courses will be offered in a substantial number of academic departments.
- Objective II: The Speaking-Intensive Program will provide significant opportunities for students to develop oral communication skills in settings outside of the classroom.
Goal #5
The Speaking-Intensive Program will provide appropriate support for offering Speaking-Intensive courses across-the-curriculum:
- Objective I: The Speaking-Intensive Program will provide a comprehensive Speaking Center equipped to render information and assistance to students and faculty on a broad range of oral communication topics and tasks.
- Objective II: The Speaking-Intensive Program will provide an on-going series of faculty development initiatives designed to ensure that all faculty wishing to teach Speaking-Intensive courses have the opportunity to prepare themselves to do so effectively.
- Objective III: The Speaking-Intensive Program will work with Academic Services and Psychological Services to ensure that students with special needs receive the necessary assistance to help them meet the Speaking-Intensive requirement or an approved alternative if the student is diagnosed as unable to meet the speaking requirement