Apropos of our emphasis on oral communication in our revised gen ed
curriculum, the March 26 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education carries
an article entitled "Taking Aim at Student Incoherence."  It makes
interesting reading and includes both historical references to ancient
writers on rhetoricians and to the place of rhetoric in the trivium of the
Middle Ages and contemporary references to a new trend in elite liberal
arts institutions to mandate "speaking and arguing classes" in revised
curricula. The article also highlights the debate over speech instruction
across the curriculum as opposed to within specific departments with true
expertise in the area.

        Three members of our department attended the recent workshop on
oral communication, and all three of us were impressed with the evidence
presented of what should take place in a properly conducted speech class.
Hence our department has now decided to leave that aspect of the new gen ed
requirements to speech professionals while reinforcing the need for
forceful and articulate public speaking in our curriculum wherever we can.



David Carrithers, Head
Political Science