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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 101-1"
COURSE NAME: "Public Speaking: Oral Rhetoric and Persuasion"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Govero Thomas
EMAIL: [email protected];[email protected]
HOURS:
MW 15:00-16:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment including weekends
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
"There are three things to aim at in public speaking:
first to get into your subject, then to get your subject
into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the
heart of your audience"
- Alexander Gregg
"What we achieve inwardly will change outward reality"
-Plutarch
COURSE AIMS AND SCOPE OF THE COURSE
The course will integrate two elements of communication: rhetorical theory which has developed since the Greeks and is still applicable
today, and preparing, delivering public speeches, oral reports and impromptu presentations. In addition, there will be an examination
of critical thinking including how to choose an appropriate topic, brainstorming the topic, structure a thesis statement, support it
through a specific line of reasoning, and organizing data effectively and persuasively. Students will also learn how to overcome
anxieties and fears when speaking before an audience. They will be introduced to proper poses and gestures, and lastly, how to
master rhythm, voice control, enunciation and diction. Practicing critical listening will be an important element of the course. There
will be peer critiques and reviews, and students will learn to accept constructive criticism to improve their speeches. Famous speakers
such as M. L. King, B. Obama, J.K Rowling and others will be featured speakers on videos.
A by-product of the course will be the reactions and debates of issues and items raised in the speeches. There will also be regular
attention to improving English vocabulary, pronunciation and use. Some attention will be given to embellishing speeches with
figures of thought and speech. Two classes will be devoted to issues of free speech, its range and limitations.
By the end of the course students should be able to confidently make a 10-15 minute speech employing the principles, criteria, and
techniques outlined above. They should have come to understand the importance of free speech and ethical values when speaking in
public forums.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
. Introductions and presentations.
. A review of rhetorical theory and development from the Greeks to modern times. An overview of the use of the voice, development of
language and its evolution.
. Topic selection, brainstorming, topic refinement, outlining, developing a thesis statement
. Adaptation of content and style to the target audience
. Structuring an argument with supporting statements, "facts", evidence, and statistics.
. Introductions and conclusions - formats, variations, appeals
. Embellishing the speech with figures of thought and language.
. Review of great speeches with written critiques
. Listening skills.
. Speaking and contributing to a group discussion. to committee meetings, to classes in reports.
. Critiquing public speeches (witten)
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NOTE: !. This a hands-on course designed to build public speaking and listening skills. This does not mean that it has no cognitive content,
however. We shall also examine the rhetorical tradition from the Greeks as noted and consider it applicability today.
2. While most speeches will be prepared and then delivered, there will also be impromptu speeches prepared in class and immediately
delivered.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the termination of the course.....
. You should be able to confidently, calmly develop and present a 10 - 15 minute speech using clear diction, logical development,
persuasive facts and ideas, and maybe some statistics.....well, 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 meansk to collect data for your speeches.
. Know your own shortcomings and be on the way to improving them.
. Be able to use appropriate voice control and body language when speaking publicly
. Have enriched your vocabulary and diction.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| 4 speeches | | 60% |
| 4 speeches | | 60% |
| 4 speeches | | 60% |
| 2 Outside speech critiques | | 20% |
| 2 impromptu speeches | | 20% |
| Class Participation | | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Students in the course will be assessed by their demonstrated ability to apply the principles, techniques, and methods of the course to
their own speeches, presentations and peer reviews.
Please note the following criteria:
. No speeches can be read from a text although quoting from prompting cards, texts or notes will be acceptable
. Organization of the speeches: logical progress, introductions and conclusions, transitions.
. Speeches must inform and/or persuade the audience - and me Nobody should leave after a speech without knowing something
new or be willing to consider or debate a new idea or action. It is a waste of time for you the speaker and the audience
to leave the room without having learned something or some inspiration to think or act.
. Strength of thesis statement, commitment to topic, choice of a worthwhile topic or not such as "why I like gelato".
. Organization of the speech, including background research, reliable, cited sources, and appropriate testimony such as quotes,
statistics (tricky). data etc.
. Participation in class demontrating that texts and handouts have been read and digested.
. Quality of written critiques, resumes and other in-class exercises. (See "Criteria and Guidelines" for all assignments)
. Timeliness, attendance (Yes, these count as those are criteria you will have to observe in the future as a public speaker!)
. Poise, rhythm, diction, gestures (all to be discusssed in class)
Please also note: If you miss a speech or presentation on the due date due to an unexcused absence there WILL NOT BE A MAKE-UP!
This is due to tight scheduling and the mass or material which needs to be covered. The class has to move on.
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Please note the following "housekeeping" guidelines:
. If you are late, do not enter the classroom if a student is speaking. Too distracting and unfair to the speaker. 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 we will first hear volunteers. If there are no volunteers,
I will designate the speaker. If you are not prepared when designated, THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP OR POSTPONEMENTS.
However, if you speak and the quality of your speech is poor or mediocre, then you can repeat it one time at a later date.
. Please respect (as you wish to be respected) the speakers by listening and not talking during their presentations or otherwise
distracting them Rule One in the speech classroom (and elsewhere): ONE PERSON SPEAKS AT THE TIME AND THE OTHERS
LISTEN!
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-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Regular attendance is a must for this course: delivery of speeches must progress and move on to the next speech.
if you miss the appointed day for delivering the speech, this backs up the progress of the class and is not fair to
attendees who must fill-in for you. Also, your critiques, reactions and debate of speeches is an on-going part of
the expectations for this class. More than two unexcused absences will drop the grade by a letter. You are in
this class above all to participate and this is not possible if you are absent.
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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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SCHEDULE
"A good orator is pointed and impassioned" -Marcus Tullius Cicero
"Grasp the subject, the words will follow" -Cato the Elder
"The trouble with talking too fast is you may say
something you have not thought of yet -Ann Landers
Monday, September 3:
. Introduction to the course: review of syllabus, logistics, "burning questions", evaluation, goals
. Self-introduction and presentations (non-graded)
. Definition of terms: rhetoric, persuasion, deliberative speaking, juridical/forensic speaking, ceremonial/epeidactic speaking
. Assignment: Attending and critiquing a public speech.
. Handout: Knowing and adapting to your Audience.
. C. Cavafy, "Ithaca"
Wednesday, September 5:
. Introduction and presentation of peer (non-graded)
. Peer reviews and critiques.
. Overcoming anxiety and fear
. Benefits of public speaking
. Review: Knowing and adapting to your audience
Monday, September 10:
. Listening skills
. Choosing a topic; brainstorming; outling the speech; basic rules of good speech delivery; use of notes and props
. Assignment: SPEECH No 1: Deliberative/Informative speech. Due: Monday, January 31
(Handout: "Criteria and Guidelines for the Intormative Speech")
Wednesday, Wednesday, September 12:
. Film: J.K Rowling, "Harvard 2008 Commencement Speech"
. Critique and review of speech.
. Assignment: Critiquing an outside speech
Monday, September 17:
. SPEECH PRESENTATIONS No 1: Deliberative speeches.
Wednesday, September 19:
. SPEECH PRESENTATIONS con't.
Monday, September 24:
. General critique and discussion of speech no. 1
. Overview of the developments of rhetoric and commuications: Greeks and Romans
Wednesday, September 26:
. Overview of the development of Rhetoric: the case of Corax and Tiseas
. Impromptu speeches: the case of Corax and Tiseas
Monday, October 1:
. Overview of the development of rhetoric: the Romans and thereafter.
Wednesday, October 3:
. Assignment: SPEECH No. 2: " Pro and Con " speech. Due: Monday, February 28
. Criteria and guidelines for topic selection and development
. Thesis statements: theory and practice
Monday, October 8:
. Great speakers: Barack Obama: video and critique
Wednesday, October 10:
. Elements of non-verbal communication; gestures and body language.
Monday, October 15:
. Rhetorical basics: Gorgias, "Enconium to Helen" - Peithos, Bia, Eros; Logos, Pathos, Ethos, Probability
Reveiw and discussion of Great Essays...
Wednesday, October 17:
. Presentation of SPEECH No 2: " Pro and Con"
Monday, October 22:
. Presentations (con't)
Wednesday, October 24:
. General critique of Speech No 2
. "Confessions": Self critiques, "How can I improve".
. Assignment: SPEECH No 3: "Interview speech" Due: Monday, March 28
Monday, October 29:
. Impromptu speeches: 5 - 10 minute deliversies of a topic to be announced. (See: Handout on impromptu speaking)
Wednesday, November 5:
. Techniques of interviewing.
Monday, November 7:
. Catch-up day, review of semester todate.
Wednesday, November12:
. Presentations of SPEECH No 3, Interview speech
Wednesday, March 30:
. Presentations (continued)
Monday, November 14:
. General critique of speeches. Individual confessions: "How can I improve"
. Great speakers and speeches: Barack Obama. "Philadelphia Speech", review and critique
. Assignment: SPEECH No 4, "Persuasive Speech" Duie: Monday, April 18
Wednesday, November 18:
. Criteria and Guidelines for" the persuasive speech"
Monday, April 11:
. Theories, techniques, design and methods of argumentation from Aristotle to Toulmin
Monday, November 21:
. Impromptu-extempraneous speeches (topic to be given during class)
Wednesday, November 26:
. Presentation of SPEECH No. 3, " Persuasive speech"
Monday, November 28:
. Presentations continued.
Wednesday, December 3. Catch-up day.
Monday, December 5: Last class day
. Overview, review.
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Final Exam: To be announced
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The highest speech....is that...".which is concerned with
the greatest affairs and , while best displaying the ability
of those who speak, brings most profit to those who hear it"
Isocrates, "Panegyric" 4
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