Effective speaking and listening are essential components of a liberal arts education. Consequently, Mary Washington College requires that all students complete two Speaking-Intensive courses as part of their graduation requirements. Speaking activities make students active participants in the learning process, give students an opportunity to exert more control in the classroom, increase student motivation, and help students achieve a better understanding of the material introduced in the course. Participation in Speaking-Intensive courses also helps students develop oral communication competence.

While the standards of appropriate communication may differ from situation to situation, competent communicators have the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand the demands of communication situations and to function effectively in a variety of oral communication encounters. Competence in oral communication, therefore, involves motivation to interact with others in a particular situation, knowledge about the context and communication rules relevant to the situation, and the skill required to act on the basis of one's motivation and knowledge.

 

New Speaking Intensive Course Proposals

If you are interested in having your course designated as Speaking Intensive, submit one of the forms linked below to the Speaking Intensive Committee (send the completed form, and related documents, via e-mail to Anand Rao - arao@umw.edu).

For a new SI course, or to add an instructor to an existing SI course: SI course proposal form

For an all-instructor designation for an existing SI course (if a new course, also submit the SI course proposal form found above): SI all instructors proposal form

To have an individual study or internship you are directing designated as SI: SI indiv study proposal form

What should an SI course include?

Speaking Intensive courses should include at least three SI-related assignments, guidance and instruction in preparing for those assignments, and a clear evaluation procedure to provide students with feedback about their work.

Do the assignments have to be presentations?

No. While the most common type of SI assignment is a presentation, other assignments may include leading class discussion, debates, class discussion, and group presentations and group decision-making. As long as the assignment provides the student with the opportunity to develop their oral communication skills, it will likely work as an SI assignment.

What should I include with my proposal?

The SI committee is interested in helping you develop your SI course, and is happy to support your work in any way we can. Please include a copy of the course syllabus with your proposal- other materials would be helpful. In considering your proposal, we appreciate any materials that will help us better understand your course, the assignments related to its SI designation, how that work will be evaluated, and what instruction will be provided to students as they prepare their work.

Please contact Anand Rao, SI Program Director (arao@umw.edu) with any questions. We look forward to receiving your proposals!