Twenty years of research in interpersonal communication have provided teachers with a basis for identifying the competencies that should be taught in introductory interpersonal communication courses, including empathy, social composure, and conflict management. However, other issues such as "performance vs. knowledge," the affective dimension, and…

The educational benefits of debate suggest several reasons for funding debate programs on college campuses. First, debate training improves communication skills (analysis, delivery, and organization) and helps students in other communication situations. Second, debate promotes depth of educational experience by exposing students to important…

Current issues being addressed by argumentation theorists can be identified by examining their writings in The Journal of the American Forensic Association (JAFA). Traditionally, argument has been seen as an utterance or act, from a philosophy based logical "product" perspective. Many current theorists, however, see argument as a process…

Writing and speaking are so closely integrated that educators can no longer continue to isolate them for separate study. Students can benefit from the teaching of writing and speaking simultaneously in that they learn to develop personal expression in more than one medium and gain a sense of immediate feedback. By recognizing that meaning implies…

Approximately 150 college students participated in a study that investigated the effects of self-concept, self-disclosure, and type of basic speech course on communication apprehension. The subjects were drawn from three basic speech course populations at two universities. They had been free to enroll in either a public speaking, interpersonal…

At Ball State (Indiana) University, the moot court format's replication of real-world advocacy has been found far more conducive to teaching ethics and values than debate because it provides internal monitoring devices and instantaneous feedback. Of course, the main purpose of the moot court is to polish communication skills. Still, even with this…

Teaching interpersonal values in an "ideal" setting, such as a college classroom, differs greatly from teaching in a "real" setting, in this case a maximum security prison for males. The practice of prison indoctrination dehumanizes inmates, diminishes their self-esteem, and deprives them of positive role models. The nature of the collective…

Covers game selection and preparation, implementation in classroom, and evaluation. (CH)

This part of a series of reports on forensic programs in this issue gives descriptive data on the state of such programs and information regarding means by which professional associations might better serve secondary school programs. (CH)

This part of a series of reports on forensic programs in this issue gives data on college forensic programs. (CH)

This part of a series of reports on forensic programs in this issue gives a summary of the literature on the effects of forensics participation. (CH)

Stresses the advantages of contract grading to both students and teachers. A sample contract defines behavioral objectives on various cognitive levels. (MH)

Proposes two kinds of contract grading criteria relating to preparation and measurement of assignment objectives. (MH)

Intentional, conscious speech is composed of both scientific and artistic components and thus requires instruction from both perspectives. Teachers often employ nonvalidated propositions--derived from personal and vicarious experience, results of scientific investigations, or folk wisdom--to advise students on speech performance. Care must be…