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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 101"
COURSE NAME: "Public Speaking: Oral Rhetoric and Persuasion"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session II 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Thomas Govero
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 2:00 PM 3:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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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 you achieve inwardly will change outward reality"
Plutarch
AIMS AND SCOPE OF THE COURSE
This course will integrate two elements of communication: rhetorical theory and practices 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 which includes how to choose an appropriate topic, brainstorming that topic, structuring a
thesis statement, supporting it through a specific line of reasoning and data, and organizing the 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, gestures, and lastly how to master voice 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 on issues and the content of 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, the history of rhetoric (communications)
and the ethical values when speaking in a public forum.
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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.
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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.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the termination of the course...
. You should be able to confidently, calmly be 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.
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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 |
| Four prepared speeches | | 60% |
| Impromptu speeches - 4 | | 20% |
| Resumes | | 10% |
| Participation | | 10% |
| | 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, critiques and peer reviews.
Please note the following criteria:
. No speeches can be read from a text although quoting/referring to prompt cards, texts or notes will be acceptable.
. Organization of the speeches: logical progress, attention getting introductions and conclusions, fluent 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 your time and the audience's if you and they leave the room without having learned something
or are inspired to think or act on your presentation.
. Strength of thesis statement, commitment to topic, choice of worthwhile topic or not such as "tired topics"
. Organization of the speech including background research, reliable,cited sources, and appropriste testimony such as quotes, statistics (tricky), data etc.
. Participation in class demonstrating that texts and handouts have been read and disgested.
. Quality of written critiques, resumes and other in-class exercises (see: "Criteria and Guidlines" for all assignments)
. Timeliness, attendance (Yes, these are important because you will be expected to observe them in the future when making public speeches)
. Poise, rhythm, diction, gestures (all to be discussed in class)
. Please also note: If you miss a speech or presentation on the due date without an unexcused absence there WILL NOT BE A MAKE-UP!
This is due to the tight scheduling and the mass of material which needs to be covered. The class has to move on.
Please note the Following Housekeeping Guidelines:
. If 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: We will first hear volunteers. If no volunteers, alphabetically first A - Z and for other speeches Z - A by last names. If you
are not prepared given this arrangement, there will be NO POSTPONEMENTS as noted above. If you speak and the quality of your speech is
poor or mediocre, then gou can repeat it one time at a later date if there is a free moment.
. Please respect (as you wish to be respected) the speakers by listening and not talking, gesturing etc. during their presentations or otherwise
distracting them. Rule number one in the speech classroom (and elsewhere): ONE PERSON SPEAKS AT THE TIME AND THE OTHERS LISTEN.!
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-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 c
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.
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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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Week 1
Monday, June 30
. Introduction to the course. Review of syllabus, logistics, "burning questions", evaluation, goals.
. Introductions. self-introduction and presentations (non-graded).
. Definition of terms: rhetoric, persuasion. Types of speeches: deliberative, judicial, commemorative.
. Assignment: Attending and critiquing two public speeches.
. Knowing and adapting to your audience
. C. Cavafy: "Ithaca" ; "The Wise Men and the Elephant"
Tuesday, July 1:
. Peer presentations (non-graded)
. Peer reviews and critiques
. Overcoming anxienty and fear.
. Benefits of public speaking
. Body language: Poise, eye contact, gestures, movement
. First Speech assignment: the Informative Speech Due: Monday, May 27th.
Wednesday, July 2:
. Preparing the speech: choosing a topic, brainstorming, outlining, practicing.
. Handout: Criteria and Guidelines for the Informative/Deliberative speech.
. Film: J. K Rowland: "Harvard Commencement Speech of 2008"
. Critiquing the speech.
Thursday, July 3
Resume writing
. Critiquing the outside speech
. Impromptu speeches: prompt, preparation, speech (non-graded)
. The voice: "Sound" (in-class reading)
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WEEK 2
Monday, July 7
. Delivery of Speech 1 (A - K) Informative
. Overview of development of rhetoric/communiations: the Greeks: Bia/Logos
Tuesday, July 8
. Delivery of Speech 1 (L - Z)
. Development of Rhetoric/communications: the Greeks: Logos, Ethos, Pathos, Peithos, Eikos
Wednesday, July 9
. Overall critique of first speech: content and style.
. Confessions: What I need to do to imporove
. Assignment: Speech 2: Pro/Con speech. Due: Wednesday, June 5th
. Criteria and Guidelines for Speech 2
. Reading assignment: "Divisions of the Speech" Due: Monday, June 3rd
Thursday, July 10
. Criteria and Guidelines: Introductions, conclusions, transitions, development of the body of the speech.
. Body language: cultural norms and differences. Gestures. Elements of non-verbal communication.
. Discussion of "Divisions of Speech"
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Week 3
Monday,July 14:
. Video: K. Robertson, Creativety and Education
. Critiquing and responding to the video.
. Harold Iness: The Alphabet Affect
. Discussion of article.
Tuesday, July 15:
. Impromtu speeches: prompt, preparation, delivery (graded)
. Critiquing the speeches.
Wednesday, July 16:
. Delivery of Speech 2 (Z - L)
Thursday, July 17:
. Delivery of Speech 2 (K - A)
. Overall critique of speeches.
. Confessions: What I need to do to improve.
. Assignment: Speech 3: Speaking my Mind. Criteria and Guidelines. Due: Wednesdaay, June 12th.
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Week 4
Monday, July 21:
. Assignment:
. Crystalized language: Epigrams, proverbs, metaphors, antithesis.
. Video: Obama, "Philadelphia Speech"
. Critiquing the speech
Tuesday, July 22:
. Impromptu speechs: prompt, preparation, delivery (graded)
Wednesday, July 24:
. Delivery of Speech 3 (A - K)
Thursday, July 25:
. Delivery of Speech 3 (K .- Z)
. Assignment: Final, Speech 4: Persuasive Speech: Criteria and Guidlines. Due: Monday, June 17th
. Approaches and techniques of persuasion.
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Week 5
Monday, July 2:8
. Delivery of Speech 4 (Z - L)
Tuesday, July 29:
. Delivery of Speech 4 (K - A)
. Overall critique.
Wednesday,July 30
. Final review and critique
. Video: K. Robertson, "A New Paradigm"
Thursday, July 31:
. Final Class: Impromptu speeches: prompt, preparation, delivery (graded)
Friday, August 1:
Final Exam: last speeches.
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