Acknowledging the need for objective evaluation of the focus and organization of the basic speech communication course, this paper reviews the progress of the basic course by tracing its changes and development. The first portion of the paper discusses the evolution of the basic course from the 1950s to the present, giving specific attention to historical modifications in the basic course's orientation and focus. The second portion of the paper addresses questions concerning the current orientation, responsiveness, and appropriateness of the basic course, and reviews promising answers to these questions. (HTH)