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MU Home » Academics » School of Public Affairs » Department of Communication

OCL 120 INTRODUCTION TO ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE (3 s.h.)
Instruction in techniques and theory of various forms of educational and competitive debate formats. Students will learn the basic principles and practices of argumentation, including building an affirmative case, refutation, and cross-examination. Students will research and debate the annual NDT/CEDA resolution, NFA Lincoln Douglas resolutions, parliamentary and public debate-style resolutions. This course is offered in the fall semester.

OCL 151 SPEECH COMMUNICATION (3 s.h.)
This course focuses on idea development, organization of thought and language, and verbal and nonverbal delivery of originally prepared presentations, as well as on listening to and receiving feedback. This course fulfills the speech core requirement and is offered every fall, spring, and summer semesters

OCL 220, 221 COMPETITIVE INTERCOLLEGIATE DEBATE/FORENSICS (1 s.h. each)
Participation on the debate/individual events team including weekly meetings, research, practice sessions, and intercollegiate tournaments under the supervision of the team coach. Prerequisites: OCL 120 or permission of the instructor. Courses are offered every fall and spring semester.

OCL 270 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE (1 s.h.)
Training in formal leadership of organizations with emphasis on Robert's Rules of Order. This course is offered as needed.

OCL 271 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION (3 s.h.)
Examination of theories and skills of interpersonal communication in social, business, and professional settings. Students learn to communicate their feelings and ideas through verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors. Prerequisites are OCL 151 or permission of instructor. This course is offered in the spring semester.

OCL 320, 321 COMPETITIVE INTERCOLLEGIATE DEBATE/FORENSICS (1 s.h. each)
Participation on the debate/individual events team including weekly meetings, research, practice sessions, and intercollegiate tournaments under the supervision of the team coach. Prerequisites: OCL 120 or permission of the instructor. Courses are offered every fall and spring semester.

OCL 340 LISTENING (3 s.h.)
This course increases understanding of listening through an examination of attitudes and behaviors in appreciative, comprehensive, critical, discriminative, and therapeutic listening situations. Students will develop an individualized program for the improvement of listening. Prerequisites are OCL 151 or permission of instructor. This course is offered in the spring semester.

OCL 354 BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING (3 s.h.)
This course is designed to improve recognition, adaptation, and performance in the modern business/professional environment, with emphasis on cultural and context specific speaking elements. Prerequisites are OCL 151 or permission of instructor. This course is offered in the fall semester.

OCL 360 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION (3 s.h.)
This course examines the complex relationship between communication and culture including major domains such as recognition of cross-cultural dynamics, broadening of cultural experiences, cultural sensitizing, and skill building for effective communication with people of diverse cultures as well as a variety of sub-cultural groups in the United States. Attention is also given to the formation of one's worldview. Prerequisites are OCL 151 or permission of instructor. This course is offered in the fall semester.

OCL 370 PERSUASION (3 s.h.)
A study of attitude modification and formation, source credibility, persuasive strategies, ethics, and audience analysis as they relate to specific persuasive situations. Prerequisites are OCL 151 or permission of instructor. This course is offered in the spring semester.

OCL 375 SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION (3 s.h.)
This course examines communication theories, issues, and practices applicable to group dynamics involved in the small group decision making process. Topics covered include the decision-making process, effects of group size, leadership/followership, trust, cohesiveness, relationship building and maintenance, communication culture, and problem solving. Prerequisites are OCL 151 or permission of instructor. This course is offered in the fall semester. Cross-listed as SOC 375.

OCL 390 INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT (3 s.h.)
This course encourages new ways of thinking about and understanding conflict and communication behavior. Typical interpersonal methods, styles, and tactics for dealing with conflict are examined. Prerequisites are OCL 151 or permission of instructor. This course is offered in the spring semester.

OCL 420, 421 COMPETITIVE INTERCOLLEGIATE DEBATE/FORENSICS (1 s.h. each)
Participation on the debate/individual events team including weekly meetings, research, practice sessions, and intercollegiate tournaments under the supervision of the team coach. Prerequisites: OCL 120 or permission of the instructor. Courses are offered every fall and spring semester.

OCL 470 ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP (3 s.h.)
This is a senior-level capstone course for the Organizational Communication and Leadership major. It offers a theory-based study of typical ways of making sense of organizational behavior and leadership principles from a communication perspective. Prerequisites are OCL 151 and completion of the OCL major or permission of instructor. This course is offered in the spring semester.

OCL 485 SEMINAR IN SPEECH COMMUNICATION (3 s.h.)
Special topics of historical and contemporary importance in the field of speech communication will be selected for in-depth analysis. Can be repeated for credit. Prerequisites are OCL 151 or permission of instructor. This course is offered as needed.

OCL 490 INTERNSHIP (3 s.h.)
A capstone course offering specialized study and experience for students of organizational communication and leadership. Students intern in government, business, ministry, recreation, and not-for-profit agencies with a minimum of 100 contact hours. Students demonstrate their understanding of and the application of organizational communication and leadership via journal writing and response papers to assigned readings. Prerequisites are OCL 151 and major core courses or permission of instructor. In some cases other internship courses may substitute for OCL 490. This course is offered as needed.

OCL 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SPEECH COMMUNICATION (TBA)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-level student to engage in special research. Requires approval by the faculty advisor, supervising professor, department chair, and school dean before approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Credit to be determined. This course is offered as needed.