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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 101"
COURSE NAME: "Public Speaking: Oral Rhetoric and Persuasion"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session I 2018
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Simran Sethi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 1:40-3:30 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides students with an introduction to the fundamentals of rhetoric and how they are applied in oral communication, and how these principles and concepts lead to effective public speaking. Students will learn how to prepare and organize persuasive speeches by learning the fundamental structures of the persuasive speech. In addition, students will begin to acquire basic skills in critical reasoning, including how to structure a thesis statement and support it through a specific line of reasoning using idea subordination, coordination, and parallel structure.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This skills-based course is intended to help students become better public speakers through theory and, most importantly, practice. Students will learn concepts and models of communication, plus ways to select and organize materials, advance ideas, utilize multimedia and customize ideas for different occasions and audiences. This information will serve students in academic, business and social settings to not only become a better public speaker, but a more critical listener. In both roles, students will learn to consider and maintain ethical standards.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After completing this course, students should be able to:
1) Understand communication concepts that serve as the foundation for effective speaking.
2) Apply conceptual knowledge in practical settings: planning and preparing speeches that inform, persuade and/or fulfill the needs of a special occasion.
- Conduct meaningful research on a variety of topics;
- Outline speeches in a logical and thorough fashion;
- Use presentation aids to enhance speeches.
3) Become more analytical listeners, developing the ability to an and evaluate presentations made by others, regardless of any connection (or lack thereof) to the subject matter.
4) Develop and demonstrate verbal, nonverbal and research competencies through researching, preparing and delivering presentations relevant and appropriate for various audiences.
5) Learn how to ask good questions and provide thoughtful answers.
6) Gain confidence speaking publicly in a variety of settings.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Invitation to Public Speaking - National Geographic Edition, 6th Edition | Cindy L. Griffin | Cengage | 9781305948082 | | | | | |
| Resonate: Present Visual Stories That Transform Audiences | Nancy Duarte | Wiley | 978-0-470-63201-7 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Speeches (informative, invitational, persuasive, extempore) | | 40% |
| Written critiques of peers’ speeches | | 20% |
| Final persuasive speech + visuals | | 20% |
| Attendance and participation | | 20% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AGeneral:
Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant comprehension beyond the required reading for the course and full participation in class.
Presentations:
Satisfy all the requirements of a B speech (below).
Demonstrate imagination and creativity in topic selection development.
Develop and sustain strong bonds between speaker, topic and audience.
Demonstrate artful use of language and stylistic techniques.
Make a polished presentation integrating a variety of communication skills.
BGeneral:
This is a highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading and analysis of the required assignments.
Presentations:
Satisfy all the requirements of a C speech (below).
Select a challenging topic and adapt it appropriately for your audience.
Reflect a depth of research.
Clearly identify sources of information and ideas.
Create and sustain attention throughout the speech.
Create an effective flow.
Demonstrate poise and confidence.
Present your speech with style.
CGeneral:
This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
Presentations:
The speech must be original.
The speech must be appropriate to the assignment.
The topic must be appropriate for the audience and sufficiently focused.
The speech must fit the time restrictions assigned.
The speech must be presented on the assigned date.
Main idea or ideas must be supported with facts, examples or testimonies.
The speech must have a clear sense of purpose.
The speech must be complete, with an introduction, body and conclusion.
DGeneral:
This level of performance shows the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material: Important information is omitted and irrelevant points are included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
Presentations:
A below-average D speech does not meet one or more of the standards for a C speech and/or:
Is unrehearsed.
Is based on biased information or unsupported opinions.
FGeneral:
This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material shared is irrelevant.
Presentations:
An F speech does not meet three or more of the standards for a C speech, shows either of the problems associated with a D speech and/or:
Uses fabricated supporting materials.
Deliberately distorts evidence or is plagiarized.
Uses inappropriate information or actions.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students who show up and participate will succeed in this course. Students will be marked as absent if discovered using unauthorized technology in class.
There will be no opportunity to make up missed assignments unless the absence is excused. Students must attend class on presentation days as assessments include peer feedback.
On presentation days, restroom breaks will be held in between speeches. In addition, if you arrive to class late, please refrain from entering the room during a speech; wait for the break.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up presentations without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from presentations must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that presentation. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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WEEK 1
May 21 – Welcome & Overview
May 22 – Why Speak in Public
May 23 – Effective Listening
May 24 – Developing Your Speech Topic & Purpose
+ Review Duarte Chapter 2: Lessons from Myths & Movies
WEEK 2
May 28 – Your Audience & Speaking Environment
+ Review Duarte Chapter 4: Define the Journey
May 29 – Gathering Supporting Materials
May 30 – Developing & Supporting Your Ideas
+ Review Duarte: Chapter 5: Create Meaningful Content
May 31 – Organizing & Outlining Your Speech
TBD: Presentation Day: Extempore Speech (5 mins)
WEEK 3
June 4 – Introductions and Conclusions
June 5 – Language & Delivering Your Speech
June 6 – Visual Aids
June 7 – Informative Speaking
TBD: Presentation Day: Extempore Speech (5 mins)
WEEK 4
June 11 – Presentation Day: Informative Speech
June 12 – Invitational Speaking
June 13 – In-class workshop: Refining Invitational Speech
& Presentation Day: Invitational Speech (10 mins)
June 14 – Presentation Day: Invitational Speech (10 mins)
WEEK 5
June 18 – Reasoning
+ Review Duarte: Chapter 9: Change Your World
June 19 – Persuasive Speaking & Speaking on Special Occasions
June 20 – In-class workshop: Refining Final Speech
June 21 – Last day of class: Course Review
& Final Presentations: Persuasive Speech with Visual Aids (10-15 mins)
June 22 – Final Presentations: Persuasive Speech with Visual Aids (10-15 mins)
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