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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 101-6"
COURSE NAME: "Public Speaking: Oral Rhetoric and Persuasion"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Carolina De Luca
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:


Through a review of classical rhetoric, and the analysis and emulation of great speeches and speakers, students will learn to create and deliver incisive, moving and striking public speeches.  Students will craft a total of six in-class public speeches. The speeches will be informative, explanatory, persuasive, pro and con, laudatory and impromptu.  Students will learn to use appropriate voice control and body language when speaking publicly as they develop confidence and tame anxieties.
 

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

    
Through the analysis of the more fundamental aspects of classical rhetoric students will learn to prepare and deliver effective and persuasive public speeches.  The course will also focus on critical thinking: choosing a topic; brainstorming; forming a thesis and supporting it with specific, effective, and persuasive logical argumentation and data.  The practice of critical listening will be an important element of the course. Students will give peer critiques and reviews and learn to accept constructive criticism to improve their presentations. Sessions will involve debates centered around the content of, and the issues raised by, the speeches. Attention will be given to improving English vocabulary, pronunciation 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 outlined above. They will  also have come to understand the importance of free speech and the ethical values implicit in speaking in a public forum.
    

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

 

Students will become better speakers and listeners. They will develop a deeper awareness of their own strengths and shortcomings; they will able to hone the former and improve on the latter.





TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Fearless SpeechMichel Foucault Semiotext(e)978-1-58435-011-8  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Critiques 20%
4 speeches  20%
Midterm Speech  20%
Final Speech  20%
Attendance, Participation, Quizzes 20%
   

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work 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 cour
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 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.

Your grade will be lowered if you use mobile telephones, computers or tablets without permission in class.


You are not allowed to leave the classroom during a 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
Monday, Sept. 1 Introduction to the course: review of syllabus, logistics, "burning questions", evaluation, goals; self-introduction (non-graded). Definition of terms: rhetoric, persuasion, deliberative speaking, judicial/forensic speaking, celebratory speaking. C. Cavafy, "Ithaca" Article: "Only Connect" Article: "Sound" Heinrich, Chapter 1 Two outside, public speeches. One due at Midter, October 17th  
Wednesday, , September 3 Paired introductions. Overcoming anxiety and fear. Benefits of public speaking. Adjusting speech to audience. Review of "Sound". The voice: producing sound, projecting sound, the voice as an instrument. Artilcle: "Parts of Speech"    
Monday, Sept. 8 Heinrich, Chapter 1: Resume No. 1 Listening skills. Choosing a speech topic, brainstorming, outling the speech, basic rules of speech delivery, use of notes and props.   Speech No. 1: Deliberative-Informative Speech "Guidelines and Criteria"  
Wednesday, Sept. 10 Brainstorming, outlining, preparing and using notes. Film: J. K. Rowland, "Harvard Commencement Speech 2008" Critique and review of speech. Critiquing the speech: logos, ethos, pathos Heinrich, Chapters 2,3,4    
Monday, Sept. 15 Speech Presentation No. 1: Deliberative Speeches      
Wednesday, September 17 Continued presentation of Speech No. 1 Note: this is the last day for presentations.      
Monday , September 22 General critique and review of speeches. Confessions: What do I need to do to improve? Overview of the development of rhetoric and communications since the Greeks. Heinrich, Chapters 2 -4, Resume No. 2 Harold Innis, article.    
Wednesday, September 24 Impromptu speeches No. 2 (graded) The Alphabet Effect (In-class reading) Speech No. 2: "Pro/Con" Speech" Guidelines and Criteria  
Friday, Sept 26 (Make-up day) Guest Speaker: Julian Castro "Democratic National Convention Speech" Review and critiques Heinrich, Chapters, 5,6,7    
Wednesday, Oct. 1 Elements of non-verbal communiation. Gestures and body language. Impromptu speech 3      
Monday, Oct. 6 Presentation of Speech No. 2, "Pro/Con"      
Wednesday, Oct. 8 Continued presentation of Speech 2: "Pro/Con"      
Monday, Oct. 13 General critique of speeches. Confession: What I need to do to Impove. Heinrich, Chapters 5,6,7: Resume Heinrich, Chapters 8, 9 10, 11 Speech No. 3: Interview Speech. "Criteria and Guidelines"  
Wednesday, Oct. 15 Interviewing Techniques. Paired interviews      
Monday, Oct. 20 Impromptu speech 3 Catch-up Heinrich, Chapters, 11- 13    
Wednesday, Oct. 22 First speech critique due Oral review of critiques.      
Monday, October 27 TED talk: Ken Robinson "A New Paradigm" Heinrich, Chapters 11 -13, Resume No. 5      
Wednesday, Oct. 29 Speech Presentations No. 3: Inteview Speech      
Monday, Nov. 3 Continued Presentations of Speech No. 3: Interview Speeches      
Wednesday, Nov. 5 11, 12, 13Continued Interview Speeches Heinrich, Chapters      
Monday, Nov. 10 Persuasive speech "Guidelines and Criteria" Techniques of the Persuasive Speech Heinrich Chapters 14 - 17 Speech No. 4: Persuasive Speech  
Wednesday, Nov. 12 Embellishments in Language: Epigrams, Proverbs, Crystalized Speech and Language Handout to be discussed in class.    
Monday, Nov. 17 Impromptu speeches Heinrich 14 - 17: Resume No. 6 Heinrich, Chapters 18 - 22    
Wednesday, Nov. 19 Continued Impromptu speeches      
Monday, November 24 Heinrich, Chapters 18 - 22 Resumes No. 7 Heinrich Chapters 23 - 26    
Wednesday, Nov. 26 Catch-up class Cicero Speech Contest      
Monday , December 1 Presentation of Speech No. 4: Persuasive Speech Heinrich Chapters 23 - 26: Resume No. 8      
Wednesday, Dec. 3 Last class day Continued Presentation of Persuasive Speeches. Last day to present speech