Goals of Communication as Critical Inquiry

The course is designed to meet the following objectives:

• Students will become more competent communicators (using knowledge, skill, motivation, and judgment).
• Students will become more critical consumers and producers of ideas and information (using analytical reasoning skills in the reception, collection, and presentation of ideas).
• Students will conduct background research necessary to develop well-informed presentations.
• Students will evaluate the communication skills of others (identifying effective and ineffective aspects of oral presentations).
• Students will become more competent in communicating in small group discussions (articulating and defending their own ideas as well as listening to and considering the ideas of others).
• Students will become more effective communicators in a democracy (demonstrating ethical communication, considering multiple perspectives on controversial issues, and managing conflict).