Oral Communication Division

Director: Patrick Garner, Ph.D.

Professor:

Patrick Garner, Ph.D.
       Director of  Forensics Program

Assistant Professors:

Sharon Pitt, M.Ed.

Assisting from other departments:

Morris Ray Ellis, Ph.D.
Dottie Frye, M.A.
Steven M. Frye, Ed.D.
James E. Miller, Ph.D.
Bob Ritchie, M.Ed.
Steve Shaner, M.A.
Jack R. Shock, Ed.D.

The purpose of the oral communication major is to provide students with an overview of the cognitive and performance content of the field of human communication. This entails a thorough knowledge of the major levels and formats of communication. This will include, but is not limited to, the following topics of critical concern: the nature of the human voice, the nature of speech pathology, the nature of human linguistic communication, a knowledge of group processes, a developed skill in public address, a knowledge of the effects of nonverbal behavior on the communication process and an introduction to the effects of mass communication on society.

In addition, students who are preparing to teach oral communication on the secondary level will also be familiar with needed eletments of theatre and will proceed through the certification process in the College of Education.

Assessment criteria also state that all majors in oral communication will demonstrate research, written as well as oral communication competence in their senior seminar and through their performance on the Praxis II exam.