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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 101-5"
COURSE NAME: "Public Speaking: Oral Rhetoric and Persuasion"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Guido-O'Grady Deborah
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: 1230-1330 T, Thu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Designed to boost your confidence in talking to audiences, large and small, the course is based on the fundamentals of communication theory and the dynamics of public speaking that are shared across a variety of communication situations from formal speeches to boardroom debates.   Along the way, we will consider the multi-cultural aspects of public speaking, tone up our listening skills and understand that an audience-centered approach is the key to success. The anticipated result is your developing a speaking style that works for you.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Strong verbal communication skills combined with solid writing skills will be major factors in your future success as a professional. Through class lectures on communication theory, videos you watch and critique, assigned readings, presentations you make, and feedback you provide and receive, you will become a more confident, polished and competent public speaker.  You will be required to research and present at least 3 prepared, in-class speeches. The format of this class will be mostly in-class discussions, brief lectures, review of any assigned readings/projects and exercises.  Class participation is vital as are occasional quizzes.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The primary outcome is for you to develop strategies that enhance your ability to communicate effectively.  This includes your ability to analyze an audience and adapt to it; select a topic; establish your credibility as a speaker; research and organize relevant material; and handle the fundamentals of good delivery. In addition, you will enhance your knowledge of constructive criticism.  At the end of this class, you should be more comfortable presenting well-reasoned and well-presented public speeches in your personal and professional life that are  appropriate for the situation. 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Informative Speech 15
Persuasive Speech: Passive 20
Persuasive Speech: Action 25
Class Participation/Quizzes/Speech Critiques 15
Wildcard Speech Project 10
Final Exam 15

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Communication requires a sender and a receiver; speakers in class require an audience.  Therefore, students must be present for all speeches - those you give and those you listen to. If you miss a speech because of an unexcused absence, you will receive a zero (0) for that speech. If you feel you have an excused absence for a speech, you must speak to me IN ADVANCE. All work should conform to accepted style; written work must not contain excessive spelling and grammatical errors. Assignments should be turned in on time. Late work will lose one letter grade per day it is late.  All work must be the original composition of each student.  You must cite outside sources appropriately.  Plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment.  Finally, all students must take the final exam.  Grades will be assigned using a 10-point scale (i.e., 100-90=A; 89-80=B; 79-70=C; 69-60=D; -59=F; see JCU standard guidelines). 
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students with low attendance do poorly in this class. After 3 unexcused absences, you may be invited to withdraw from the course.  You will be unable to make-up any missed assignments or quizzes without a legitimate written excused absence.  Students must attend class on speech days; there will be no makeup speeches as a general rule.
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 One:  January 17 and 19
  • Course Introduction: syllabus, course requirements, questions
  • Self-introductions (non-graded)
  • Speaking self-assessment inventory
  • Overview: Rhetoric, Public Speaking Basics; Benefits, Styles,
  • Paired interviews and speeches of introduction (non-graded)
  • Handout:  Audience Adaptation

 Week Two:  January 24 and January 26
     Audience Centered Public Speaking; Cultural Diversity
     Giving the Speech/Informative Speaking:  Assignment #1  (Handout)
     The Joy of Impromptu Speaking (handout)

 Week Three:  January 31 and February 2

  • Importance of Listening/Critical Thinking
  • Selecting a Topic (Topics due)
  • Preparing the Speech: Organizing, Engaging Audiences (Handout)  Outlining; Designing Surveys
  • Impromptu

 Week Four:  February 7 and 9

  • Guest Speaker
  • Feedback
  • Preparing the Speech, continued
  • Developing Confidence/Your Own Style
  • Assignment #2: Outside Speech Critique (due April 5)

 Week 5:  February 14 and 16

  • Informative Speech Presentations
  • Informative Speech Presentations

 Week 6:  February 21 and 23

  • Being a Credible and Ethical Speaker
  • Sources
  • Building Blocks: Thesis Statements

Week 7:  February 28 and March 1

  • Non Verbal Communication
  • Multi Media

Week 8:  March 6 and 8

  • Persuasive Speaking:
  • Developing Arguments

Week 9:  March 13 and 15

  • Interviews
  • Introductions/Conclusions
  • Using Statistics/Data
  • Fallacies

 

Week 10:  March 19-23 Spring Break

Week 11:  March 27 and 29

  • Persuasive Speech 1
  • Persuasive Speech 1

Week 12:  April 3 and 5

  • Delivery and Stagecraft
  • Impromptu
  • Assignment Outside Speech Critique

Week 13:  April10 and 12

  • Motivational Speaking
  • Building Arguments 

Week 14:  April 17 and 19

  • Persuasive Speech 2
  • Persuasive Speech 2

Week 15:  April 24 and 26

  • Wrap Up
  • Final Exam (tba)

This schedule is designed for flexibility and subject to change!