Considers the rational basis for participatory democracy and six ideas designed to embody that conceptual basis. Contends that the mission of speech communication scholars to the civic culture should be an activation of civic competencies and an invention of new places to practice free speech skills. (PD)

Describes briefly Wayne Brockriede's observations on argumentation in his essay, "Arguers as Lovers," and uses this framework to provide forensic educators with guidance for improving competitive debate. (PD)

Introduces and comments on articles in this symposium issue. Contends that speech teachers have methods to overcome communication problems. Challenges them to sort their methods out, test and phrase them in clear language, document assertions from their own classroom investigations, and eventually build a theory to help people improve their…

Using a computerized content analysis, the authors demonstrate changes in speech behaviors of prison inmates. They conclude that two to four hours of public speaking training can have only limited effect on students who live in a culture in which "prison speech" is the expected and rewarded form of behavior. (PD)

Reviews arguments for and against student evaluation of faculty instruction. Discusses the following alternatives to rating scales: mail questionnaires, telephone interviews, observer evaluations, in-class discussions, weekly logs, and students' course descriptions. Offers guidelines for refining and implementing these alternatives. (PD)

Study of communication departments was conducted to determine the in-service training and teacher assignments of graduate teaching assistants. (PD)

Examines two commonly held objections to the position that speech communication is a liberal study. Argues that speech communication holds a legitimate claim to inclusion in the liberal curriculum, provided that suggested criteria are met by contemporary speech communication departments. (JMF)

Reports on activities that the regular classroom teacher can incorporate into the speech arts curriculum that will help to eliminate the high incidence of vocal disorders in students. Includes a description of the mechanics of voice production and exercises designed to help children use their voices more efficiently. (FL)

The study determined the value of using a mirror for speech teaching by recording manner, place, voicing, and blend errors produced by 27 hearing-impaired children (5-13 years old) while imitating consonant-vowel syllables under three conditions (audition alone, audition plus direct vision, and audition plus vision using a mirror). (Author)

Eleven preschool children with Down Syndrome were taught new words/graphic symbols (Rebus or modified Bliss) using various treatment conditions. Incorporation of graphic symbols into language intervention programs may facilitate language acquisition, provided the tasks and procedures are appropriate to the child's developmental age and level of…

Defines and evaluates the capabilities of computer mediated communication (CMC). Current literature concerned with the use of CMC in instruction is reviewed, and a research proposal is presented for studying CMC uses in speech communication instruction. (JKP)