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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 101-6"
COURSE NAME: "Public Speaking: Oral Rhetoric and Persuasion"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2019
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Stephanie Richards
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 6:00-7:15 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:
Using the fundamentals of classical rhetorical theory and modern concepts of public speaking, students will learn to brainstorm, select and refine a topic, develop a thesis statement and structure a speech. Critical thinking, critical listening and logic will be the building blocks for creating coherent and persuasive talks. We will watch and review great speeches in history and students will learn to constructively critique their peers in a dynamic and participatory classroom environment. Students will make a total of five speeches of various types: informative, pros and cons, motivational, persuasive and “the pitch”.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course students will be able to confidently and calmly develop and present a 10-15 minute prepared speech using
clear diction, logical development, persuasive ideas, appropriate quotations, data and statistics and individual style.
Students should:
. Have a critical arsenal to judge content, style and persuasiveness of public speeches
. Be a critical, more attentive, and careful listener.
. 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.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking | Chris Anderson | Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt | 9780544809710 | | Available at Almost Corner Bookstore | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| 4 speeches | | 40% |
| Final Persuasive Speech | | 30% |
| Attendance and Participation | More than 3 absences will affect your grade negatively. Attendance and Participation includes being prepared for class, having done any readings, watched any videos or prepared any other assigned materials. | 10% |
| Midterm Motivational Speech | | 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 course.
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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) 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 a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. 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. The final exam period runs until ____________
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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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The schedule is subject to change. Regular attendance and participation will ensure you know what is going on in class.
Week 1:
Course introduction
Student Introductions
Introduction to classical rhetoric
Week 2:
Topic: Informative
Week 3:
SPEECH DAY: Informative
Week 4:
Topic: Great (famous) speeches
Week 5:
Presence, Breathing Techniques, Building Confidence
Motivational topics discussed
Week 6:
Motivational preparation and practice
Week 7:
SPEECH DAY: Motivational (midterm)
Week 8:
SPEECH DAY: Motivational (midterm)
Week 9:
Pro and Con
Week 10:
SPEECH DAY: Pro and Con
Week 11:
Guest Speaker
Persuasive
Week 12:
Persuasive
Week 13:
The Pitch
Week 14:
SPEECH DAY: The Pitch
Week 15:
SPEECH DAY: Persuasive (final)
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