Speaking Across the Curriculum
Oral Communication Resources
The Oral Communication Program at Hamline is one of the first “speaking across the curriculum” programs in the nation. Our approach is two-fold: to help students develop oral communication competence, and to help students learn course content. Studies have shown that talking through problems and issues aids learning. Furthermore, studies have shown that competence in oral communication is highly valued by employers. Oral communication competence is made up of both knowledge about communication and skills in practice. Students at Hamline may be challenged to learn to speak articulately, to present information clearly and effectively, to participate in discussions of ideas, to work on teams, to listen carefully, and to interact with individuals in a variety of face-to-face settings.
Under the Hamline Plan, students must take two speaking intensive courses. These can be taken at any time and in any academic department.
Speaking-Intensive Courses: Statement of Objectives
Speaking intensive courses focus upon the oral communication needs of students within each discipline. Speaking Intensive courses will:
- Designate specific oral communication learning objectives appropriate to the course and the discipline.
- Provide opportunities for students to practice and analyze oral communication behaviors.
- Focus upon the oral communication process as well as product.
Characteristics of an O course might include, for example, several opportunities for oral communication experiences with intervention, coaching, and developmental response from the instructor or peer groups; use of small group or class discussion as a means of learning, with an emphasis upon developing oral participation skills or upon understanding discussion dynamics; a focus on learning how communication functions and applying theoretical concepts to actual communication in practice.
Dr. Patricia Palmerton, Director of Oral Communication, has made the following resources available to support the oral communication efforts of students and faculty. Please explore the oral communication resources on the right which will allow you to navigate the different topics.