Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 101-6"
COURSE NAME: "Public Speaking: Oral Rhetoric and Persuasion"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Thomas Govero
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 6:00-7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: By appoinment including weekends

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.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Introductions and presentations
. A review of rhetorical theory and development from the Greeks to modern times.
. Topic selection, brain storming, topic refinement, outlining, developing a thesis statement
. Techniques of persuasion; format for reports
. Structuring an argument with supporting arguments, and rhetorical devices
. Adaptation of content and style to the audience.
. Introductions and conclusions - formats, variations, appeals.
. Review of great speeches in history and speakers. (with critiques)
. Listening skills.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

This is a hands-on course designed to build skills. This does not mean that it has no cognitive
content, however. We shall also examine the rhetorical tradition from the Greeks to modern
times and consider its applicability today as noted above.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the termination of the course...

. You should be able to confidently, calmly be able to develop and present a 10-15 minute prrepared speech using
clear diction, logical development, persuasive ideas, apt quotations, data and statistics...and maybe some humor
too.

. Have a critical arsenal to judge content, style and persuasiveness of public speeches
. Be a critical, more attentive, careful listener.
. Have the skills to deliver informative reports clearly and precisely
. Have developed and employed interview skills as a means to collect data for your speeches.
. Know your own shortcomings and be on the way to improve on them.
. Be able to use appropriate voice control and body language when speaking publicly.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Thank You for Arguing	Jay Heinrichs	Three Rivers Press	978-0-8041-8993-4		Almost Corner

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
5 Resumes		10%
Participation		10%
Speeches - 4		60%
Impromptu Speeches		20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork 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 amount of reading beyond that required for the
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Please note the following "housekeeping" guidelines:

. If you are late, please do not enter the classroom if a student is speaking. Too distracting. Wait until the speaker
has finished and then enter - better, don't be late!

. Order of speakers: this will vary for each speech. In most cases I will designate the speaker on the spot. If you are
not prepared, THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP or POSTPONEMENTS. Speeches can be delayed only for the most grave
reasons such as serious illness.

. Please respect (as you wish to be respected) the speakers by listening (and not talking during their presentations)
or otherwise distracting them.

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.

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.

SCHEDULE

Bottom of Form

Session	Session Focus	Reading Assignment	Other Assignment
Tues. September 4	Introduction to the course: review of syllabus, logistics, "burning questions", evaluation, goals; self-introduction (non-graded). Definition of terms: rhetoric, persuasion, deliberative speaking, judicial/forensic speaking, celebratory speakin	Heinrich, Chapters 1 - 7: Due: Tues. Sept. 11; "Only Connect"	One outside, public speech critique . One due at Midterm October 17th Guidelines and Criteria will be handed out.
Thurs. September 6	Paired introductions. Overcoming anxiety and fear. Benefits of public speaking. Adjusting speech to audience. Projecting sound, the voice as an instrument.	Artilcle: "Parts of Speech"
Tuesday, September 11	Listening skills. Choosing a speech topic, brainstorming, outling the speech, basic rules of speech delivery, use of notes and props. Résumé No. 1: Heinrichs, 1 - 7	Heinrichs, Chapters 8 - 13: Due: Tues. October 2	Speech No. 1 (non-graded): Storytelling "Guidelines and Criteria"
Thurs. September 13	Attending Conversation: "Role of Youth in Today's World of Fake News" Aula Magna, 6'30 - 8'30
Tues. September 18	Speech Presentation No. 1: Deliberative Speeches Assignment Criteria and Guidelines. Due: Tues. September 25	Articles. Throughout the semester there will be articles read in class and résumés of these articles.
Thurs. September 20/ Friday, Sept. 21 Make-up class.	Continued: Speech Presentations No. 1 (Last day to present) Assignment: Speech No 2: Pro/Con. Due: Tues. Oct. 9 Friday, Sept 21 Make-up class: R.J. Rowling, "2008 Harvard Commencement Speech"
Tues. September 25	Impromtu speeches: topic/prompt will be given. Five-minute speech (ungraded)	Harold Innis, article.
Thurs. September 27	Impromptu speeches. Topic/Prompt to be given. Five minutes.	The Alphabet Effect (In-class reading)
Tues. October 2	Résumé: Heinrichs Chap. 8 - 13	Heinrichs, Chap. 14 - 18. Due: Thurs. Oct 18
Thurs. October 4	Elements of non-verbal communiation. Gestures and body language. Impromptu speech 3
Tues. October 9	Presentation of Speech No. 2, "Pro/Con"
Thurs. October 11	Continued presentation of Speech 2: "Pro/Con"
Tues. October 16	General critique of speeches. Confession: What I need to do to Impove.		Speech No. 3: Interview Speech. "Criteria and Guidelines" Due: Tues. Nov. 6
Thurs. October 18	Interviewing Techniques. Paired interviews	Heinrich, Chap. 18 - 25 Due: November 22
Tues. October 23	Impromptu speech 3 Catch-up
Thurs. October 25	Film: Ken Robinson, "A New Paradigm" Oral review of critiques.
Thurs. November 1 (Holiday)
Tues. November 6	Speech Presentations No. 3: Interview Speech

Thursday, Nov. 13	Persuasive speech "Guidelines and Criteria" Techniques of the Persuasive Speech Due: Tues. November 22
Thurs. November 15	Cicero Speech Contest Aula Magna, 6pm	Handout to be discussed in class.
Tues.. November 20	Impromptu speeches
Tues. November 20	Impromtu Speehes
Thurs. November 22	Impromptu speeches Heinrichs, Rèsumé, Chapter 19 -25	Finish Henrichs: Chapter 26 -30
Tuesday, November 27	Continued Presentation of Persuasive Speeches. Last day to present speech
Thurs. November 30	Review and Critique of Speeches No. 4 Review and critique of speech
Tuesday, December 4	General Review
Thurs. December 6	Overall review.
Thurs. December 6 Final Class	Last Class: Overall review and summation
Final Exam: TBA