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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "COM 101-2"
COURSE NAME: "Public Speaking: Oral Rhetoric and Persuasion"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Thomas Govero
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
By appoinment including weekends
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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.
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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:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| xxx | xxx | xxx | xxx | | Will order from Almost Corner Bookstore | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| 5 Resumes | | 10% |
| Participation | | 10% |
| Speeches - 4 | | 60% |
| Impromptu Speeches | | 20% |
-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 t
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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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Monday, Jan. 19 | 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: "Sound" | Two outside, public speeches. One due at Midter, October 17th | |
| Wednesday, January 21 | 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, January 26 | 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, January 28 | 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 | | | |
| Monday, January 27 | Speech Presentation No. 1: Deliberative Speeches | | | |
| Wednesday, January 29 | Continued presentation of Speech No. 1
Note: this is the last day for presentations. | | | |
| Monday, February 2 | 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. | Harold Innis, article. | | |
| Wednesday, February 4 | Impromptu speeches No. 2 (graded) | The Alphabet Effect (In-class reading) | Speech No. 2: "Pro/Con" Speech" Guidelines and Criteria | |
| Monday, February 9 | Guest Speaker: Barack Obama, "Philadelphia Speech"
Review and critiques | | | |
| Wednesday, February 11 | Elements of non-verbal communiation. Gestures and body language.
Impromptu speech 3 | | | |
| Monday, February 16 | Presentation of Speech No. 2, "Pro/Con" | | | |
| Wednesday, February 18 | Continued presentation of Speech 2: "Pro/Con" | | | |
| Monday, February 23 | General critique of speeches. Confession: What I need to do to Impove. | | Speech No. 3: Interview Speech. "Criteria and Guidelines" | |
| Wednesday, February 25 | Interviewing Techniques.
Paired interviews | | | |
| Monday, March 2 | Impromptu speech 3
Catch-up | | | |
| Wednesday, March 4 | First speech critique due
Oral review of critiques. | Article: "Only Connect" | | |
| Monday, March 9 | Review of article, "Only Connect"
TED talk: Ken Robinson "A New Paradigm" | | | |
| Wednesday, March 11 | Speech Presentations No. 3: Inteview Speech | | | |
| Monday, March 16 | Continued Presentations of Speech No. 3: Interview Speeches | | | |
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| Wednesday, March 18 | Persuasive speech "Guidelines and Criteria"
Techniques of the Persuasive Speech | | Speech No. 4: Persuasive Speech | |
| Monday, March 23 | Embellishments in Language: Epigrams, Proverbs, Crystalized Speech and Language | Handout to be discussed in class. | | |
| Wednesday, March 25 | Workshop: Negotiation
Negotiation Techniques | | Negotiation Workshop assignments | |
| Monday, March 30 | Negotiation Presentations
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| Wednesday, April 1 | Review and Critique of Negotiation Workshop | | | |
| Monday, April 6 - Friday, April 10 | Spring Break | | | |
| Monday, April 13 | Continued Presentation of Persuasive Speeches.
Last day to present speech | | | |
| Monday, April 20 | Review and Critique of Speeches No. 4
Guest Speaker. TBA
Review and critique of speech | | | |
| Wednesday, April 22 | | | | |
| Monday, April 27 | Overall review. | | | |
| Wednesday, April 29 | Last Class: Overall review and summation | | | |
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