Provisional University Bulletin (2026-2027)

Oral and Written Communication

Objectives

The oral communication requirement recognizes that students need to be prepared to communicate effectively in a broad range of contexts, including oral presentations, interviews, active debates, critiques, and performances.

The written communication requirement understands writing as a mode of learning, not simply as a way to articulate what is learned. Students become familiar with the conventions and intellectual traditions of various disciplines and use writing to acquire knowledge in those disciplines.

Learning Goals

Learning goals of Oral Communication and Writing Intensive courses might include one or more of the following abilities:

  1. Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively for various audiences and situations in spoken and written form.
  2. Develop critical reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills to analyze, evaluate, and communicate complex information.
  3. Understand the values, norms, and conventions shaping communication practices in different academic and professional fields, as well as everyday life, and adapt and switch between communication modalities accordingly.
  4. Recognize how to give and evaluate feedback on written work.
  5. Engage in careful revision to further develop rhetorical awareness, analytical skills, and agency as writers and speakers.

How to Fulfill the Requirement

The oral communication requirement will be satisfied by the successful completion of any course designated Oral Communication [OC]. The written communication requirement will be satisfied by the successful completion of any course designated Writing Intensive [WI]. Any course with both an OC designation and a WI designation can double count to fulfill both components of this requirement.