Oral Presentation

In addition to formal writing, oral presentation is an important component of the educational experience at the China Center, and faculty teaching Area Studies courses will require each student to lead a formal class discussion or to prepare and present an organized lecture on a particular subject at least once during each semester.

Students are also encouraged to perform an oral presentation at the conclusion of each semester in front of the learning community during our final out-gathering. This presentation should be a discussion of the student's learning process and accomplishments during the course of the semester and an in-depth presentation of one section in the Portfolio of Learning about which the student has learned the most or is most proud. These presentations need not be formal, and there is much room for creativity. Students who have completed an independent study project or internship are particularly encouraged to participate. This is also the time to show your peers and faculty what you have learned in the elective courses, such as Taiji and Chinese Arts, since these subjects require performative or visual presentation of skills learned. Students should allow at least two to three full days to prepare the oral presentation, and are encouraged to invite friends to attend. We want this to be an opportunity for students to present what they have learned to the entire community and to provide an opportunity to practice oral presentation skills at the same time. Presentations are optional, but all students are expected to attend the final out-gathering and provide feedback to those who do present.

Any student may, in consultation with the faculty, advisor elect to deliver an oral presentation for credit. These students should work extensively under faculty guidance throughout the semester to structure, rehearse and present findings from any Area Studies research assignment for one extra credit linked to that Area Studies course. The Writing Workshop instructor will also designate several sessions at the end of the semester to teach formal presentation skills, including how structure and use Microsoft Power Point, overhead transparencies or handouts to communicate effectively. These presentations for credit should be formal and last 15-20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes of questions and discussion with the learning community, and may be held either at the end of the eighth week or during the out-gathering at the end of each semester.

First semester junior students are also encouraged to work with the faculty advisor to present the Junior Research Proposal, in order to receive constructive feedback and suggestions from other faculty and peers before setting to carryout the project the following semester. These presentations may constitute one extra credit linked to the Junior Research Seminar.

Second semester junior students are required to present research findings at the conclusion of the semester. All students presenting for credit and second semester Junior students will be provided anonymous written feedback on the content and delivery of the presentation by peers and faculty at the conclusion of the presentation, using the Learning Portfolio Oral Presentation Form available online at the China Center website. The Faculty Advisor’s evaluation of these oral presentations will be included in the narrative evaluation of the course in question as part of the student’s permanent record.


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