Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 101-7"
COURSE NAME: "Public Speaking: Oral Rhetoric and Persuasion"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Carolina De Luca
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

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:

Through the analysis of the fundamental aspects of classical rhetoric students, will learn to prepare and deliver persuasive public speeches. The course will also focus on critical thinking: choosing a topic; brainstorming; forming a thesis and supporting it with specific, logical argumentation and supporting research. The practice of critical listening is important element of the course. Students will give peer critiques and will learn to give and accept constructive criticism. Additionally, attention will be placed on improving English vocabulary, pronunciation, enunciation, and use. By the end of the course, students will be able to confidently give a 10–15-minute speech employing the principles, criteria and techniques studied in the course. They will also understand the importance of free speech and the ethical values implicit in speaking in a public forum. Through mindfulness, students will foster the ability to manage anxiety and be more present while speaking in public.

Students will craft and deliver the following types of speeches: Informative, Pros and Cons, Motivational, and Argumentative.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will become stronger speakers, more attentive listeners and will develop a deeper understanding of their own strengths or shortcomings. Students will learn how to confidently move and speak on a stage in front an audience; finally, they will get in touch with deeper levels of self-awareness and presence through mindfulness practice.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Infromative Speech + Pros Cons Speech	5-6 minute speech + notes allowed for informative + no notes for pros cons	20%
Advocacy/Motivational Speech	8-10 minute speech + scripts allowed + audiovisual presentation	20%
Argumentative Final Speech	6-8 minutes + notes allowed + audiovisual presentation (optional) + bibliography	30%
Homework and Participation	momework includes both oral and written assignments + participation includes involvement in class discussion and work habits	30%

-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:

Students with low attendance and participation do poorly in this class. 3 absences allowed with no questions asked. Any absence above the 3 will affect your participation grade. More than 6 absences may result in you failing the class.

There will be no makeup speeches as a general rule. Exceptions will be made for religious holidays, the more serious medical absences.

Absences due to travel arrangements, parents visiting from out of town will not be excused. Absences due to health reasons can be excused by communicating with the Deans directly. You are expected to turn in Moodle assignments on time even if you are absent.

Students with academic accommodations will comply with the guidelines accorded to them by the Accommodations Coordinator.

If you plagiarize material, you will receive a failing grade for the assignment/speech.

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

Week by Week COM 101

1. Each class will begin with a brief Mindfulness Session

2. Assigned readings will be orally summarized by students.

3. All reading assignments can be found on Moodle.

4. All written homework must be uploaded on Moodle unless instructor says otherwise.

5. For all recorded video assignments, you must upload a clickable hyperlink.

Week 1:

S1: Introduction + Syllabus

Reading:Reading “Informative Folder” (see Moodle)

Reading “Powerful Introductions” (see Moodle)

S2: In Class Student Introductions

Weekend Homework:

Assignment: Upload your Informative Topic on Moodle.

Reading:TBA

Reading: Logos, Ethos, Pathos, Kairos (two handouts, see Moodle)

Week 2

S1: Informative Topics (share with class)

Discussion of Powerful Intros Reading

Brainstorming the Informative Speech

Reading for S2: Excerpts from Amy Cuddy’s “Presence” + TBA

S2: Speech Analysis 1

Weekend Homework:

Prep: Prepare for Informative Exams

Assignment: Amy Cuddy Questions (upload on Moodle)

Week 3:

INFORMATIVE EXAMS

S1: Informative Round 1

S2: Informative Round 2

Weekend Homework:

Reading: “Science of Your Center”

Reading: “Better Breathing Brings Better Health”

Ted Talk and Assignment: Nadine Burke Talk + Oral Questions

Week 4:

INFORMATIVE EXAMS

S1: Informative Round 3

Reading for S2:

“Rule of Three” on Moodle + Reading TBA

S2: Informative Round 4

Weekend Homework:

Assignment: Choose your Pros and Cons Topic (upload on Moodle)

Reading: TBA

Week 5:

S1:Pros and Cons Topics share + Prep

S2: Discussion Pros and Cons (structure)

Pros and Cons Brainstorm in Class

Weekend Homework:

Video Assignment: Andrew Solomon Talk + Video Commentary Upload (graded)

Week 6:

Mary Beard Talk +Oral Questions (jn-class/graded)

Assignment: Oral Analysis of Speech (upload on Moodle)

Week 7:

PROS AND CONS EXAMS

S1: Pros and Cons Round 1

Reading for S2: The Motivational Packet

S2: Pros and Cons Round 2

Discussion of Motivational Packet

Weekend Homework:

Reading: Toni Morrison’s Commencement Speech

Assignment: Questions on Morrison’s Speech (upload on Moodle)

Week 8:

PROS and CONS EXAMS

S1: Pros and Cons Round 3

Reading and Assignment for W: TBA

S2: Pros and Cons Round 4

Weekend homework:

Video Assignment: Performance of Speech (upload on Moodle)

Weekend Talks:TBA

Week 9:

S1: Reading TBA

Discussion Adichie + Yousafzai

S2: Reading TBA

Motivational Brainstorm

Week 10:

MOTIVATIONAL EXAMS

S1: Motivational Round 1

S2: Motivational Round 2

Week 11:

MOTIVATIONAL EXAMS

S1: Motivational Round 3

S2: Motivational Round 4

Weekend HMK:

Reading “Persuasive Argumentative”+ “The Counterargument” on Moodle

Prep: come up with final topic + upload on Moodle

Week 12:

S1+S2: Final Topics Share + Debate

Weekend HMK: TBA

Week 13:

S1: Finals Workshop

S2: Impromptu Games

Weekend HMK: Prepare for Finals

Week 14:

ARGUMENTATIVE FINALS

S1: Finals Round 1 (5 speakers)

S2: Finals Round 2 (5 speakers)

Weekend Assignment: Mindful Meditation Video Upload (Extra Credit)

Week 15 Finals Week

Date TBA

ARGUMENTATIVE FINALS

Finals Round 3 (10 speakers)