Everyone agrees with the goal of graduating students who can communicate effectively. The proposed program has three components. First, English 11 and English 12 have been modified to include an oral communication emphasis. Third, an across the curriculum requirement will be developed to ensure that students continue to improve their oral communication skills as they progress through their chosen major. Some faculty felt threatened by the across the curriculum portion of the proposed program.
Some faculty doubt the efficacy of a one credit course in oral communication.
Some faculty feel that students need more help in reading and writing than in speaking. After considering these and other concerns, and examining the forces that led to the need for implementation of this program, the EPC proposes two resolutions on this issue. The first will approve the Oral Communication Skills Program for academic year 1998-99. The second will make some revisions in the program and in curriculum requirements that can not be made before the 1999-2000 academic year. This Oral Communication course is also available to students who are enrolled in or have received credit for Composition and Rhetoric.