Oral Communication

CRITERIA FOR COURSES SATISFYING THE
ORAL COMMUNICATION COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT

Scope: Competence in oral communication is indicated by an individual demonstrating the ability to clearly transmit ideas and information orally in a way that is appropriate to the topic, purpose, and appropriate audience. It also involves demonstrating the ability to discuss ideas clearly with others, to hear and respond to questions, and to assess critical response appropriately. Competence in oral communication cannot be accomplished through a single speaking experience but requires multiple occasions spread out through the course of the term. The specific types of oral skill (for example: debates, speeches, or lectures) may vary from discipline to discipline, though a minimal level of oral competence is required. Courses satisfying the oral communication competency requirement must enable the student to develop the requisite skills through application of theoretical concepts and analytical structures basic to successful oral communication. Thus, instruction in the theory and practice of oral communication must be an intrinsic part of the course, as evidenced in course objectives, course readings, activities, and evaluation.

Specific criteria: While the precise method of instruction and examination is the prerogative of the instructor, approved courses must contain the following elements:

1. The course must provide instruction and the student must demonstrate competence in the following:

• generation of an original oral message which clearly presents ideas and/or information;
• making effective use of both vocal and physical delivery in the presentation;
• adapting the presentation to the particular audience; and,
• being receptive to questions and/or criticism.

2. An audience is defined as 10 or more persons, unless a smaller audience size can be justified for course content. For example, five or six ‘clients’ may be considered an audience. A teacher and or a teaching assistant do not constitute an appropriate audience.

3. Among the course requirements there must be provision for the student to demonstrate the ability to perform according to the above criteria using standard American English.

4. The syllabus should contain course readings and/or lectures related to instruction in the theory and practice of oral communication.

5. The course syllabus must contain the following statement:

In order to fulfill FSU’s Oral Communication Competency Requirement, the student must earn a “C-” or better in the course, and in order to receive a “C-” or better in the course, the student must earn at least a “C” on the oral communication competency component of the course. If the student does not earn a “C-” or better on the oral communication competency component of the course, the student will not earn an overall grade of “C-” or better in the course, no matter how well the student performs in the remaining portion of the course.

6. Therefore, evaluation criteria for the “oral communication” component of the class and the resulting impact on the course grade should be apparent to the students. The oral communication component should constitute enough of the grade to warrant failing a student who does not pass the oral component, e.g., 30% or more of the final grade.

7. Grading rubrics are required. Faculty teaching the course agree to submit students’ scores on this rubric to the Undergraduate Policy Committee for inclusion in its annual report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) if requested to do so.

8. Faculty assigned to teach the course must be certified by their department as having the experience and/or training to evaluate oral communication competence as defined herein.

9. Courses in the oral performance of literature will not satisfy this requirement.

REVISED: March, 2010