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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "RH 365"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Public Speaking"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Thomas Govero
EMAIL: [email protected]; [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 6:00 PM 7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: COM 101
OFFICE HOURS: By arrangement including weekends; after class
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to give students more in-depth exposure and more intensive experience in speaking publicly, both formally and informally. Building upon the critical skills of the basic course, this course examines the generic expectations of different public speaking modes and how they inform various approaches. In addition, this course exposes students to the different argument strategies and how they are employed in various public speaking modes.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Review of fundamentals in composition and delivery of the speech. 

Types of speeches, divisions of the speech, style, diction and delivery protocols.

Impromptu speeches to express these elements.    

Film:  J.K. Rowling, "Harvard 2008 Commencement Speech" and other videos and speeches, 

Analysis of advanced theories of rhetoric and forms of argumention.   

Small-group sessions to develop arguments. (Invention) and conduct conflict negotiations. 

Development of narrative, introductions, transitions and conclusions. 

Storytelling skills as an element of successful, engaging speaking.  

Inventing and elaborating the stories in speech presentations. 

Examination of Free Speech (Foucault) and the ethics of speech composition and delivery.

Review of great speakers and speeches from the Greeks to contemporary speakers and orators.

Peer critiques of all speeches and sessions.

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Highly recommended film:  "The King's Speech" (2008)

This film deals with a speech coach who tried to cure King George VI of his deep fear of speaking in public and stuttering

when he had to speak before groups.  Outstanding acting, amusing and tense scenes.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The ability to present a 10 - 15 minute speech investing the audience   with a conviction for transformation and change of offering them choices for making decisions. ..  Understanding and acceptance of the risks and responsibilities of "Free Speech". Ability to conduct win/win negotiations.   Invention, elaboration and delivery of stories appropriate and relevant to the speech..  Knowledge of speech as a rhetorical act and its historical context..  Awareness of various modern interpretations and issues in rhetoric..  Practicing the process of logical, responsible argumentation as distinct from "Bullshit".  Self-confidence and motivation to accept fulfill a responsible leadership role in speaking-up.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Two, two-page, written critiques of outside speeches. 10% each  20
General participation in class such as peer critiques, comments and quips. 10
Four ten - 15 minute, prepared speechs 40%
Eight to ten résumés summarizing readings or lectures 20&
Active, effective participation in Negotiation unit 10%

-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 cou
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:
There are no strict attendance requirements. 

However, as this course has a highdegree of participation expected, if you are not present, you cannot participate.

Furthermore, if you are due to speak and you are absent, you will not be allowedto make-up that class. 

Finally, if you miss more than 3 classes, you should dropthe course.
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

"Above all (in ancient Greece) the public discussion of city policy and examination of those suspected of crime

became regularized into the practice of public speaking: training was given by those who were particularly interested in

and the field of rhetoric was born, probably the most influential, intellectual discipline in ancient Western history."                                                                            

Nicholas Oestler, The Empire of Words,  p. 237

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Week 1: Monday, Jan 18- Wednesday, Jan 20

Introductions:  Self-introductions, "Me and My Homeland" (non-graded).   .  Review of syllabus, scope of the course, content, requirements, assessment, resources, resumes..  Paired interviews and speeches of introduction and presentation. (non-graded) .  Confession:  "What I need to do to improve my speaking skills.".  Review of fundamentals:  types of speeches, voice control, divisions of the speech. nervousness, poise,    and posture, introductions, transitions and conclusions

Reading:  Handout: "Oratory and Rhetoric";  Articles:  "Only Connect" 

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Week 2:  Monday, Jan.25  - Wednesday Jan 27 .

Resume No. 1.  Review of WA chaps. 1 -4. 

Preparation of the speech:  topic selection, brainstorming, research, delivery, practice.. 

Critiquing the speech:  J.K. Rowling, "Harvard 2008 Commencement Speech"

Resources for speech preparation, research and development (Invention)

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Week 3:  Monday, Feb 1 - Wed., Feb. 3

Impromptu speeches of rebuttal, agreement, judgement .  Assignment:  Speech 1:  "Speaking my Mind" . 

Due:  Monday, Feb. 15.    (Criteria and Guidelines to be distributed).

Assignment:  Critiquing the Outside Speech:  Criteria and Guidelines. 

Assignment:  Watch any video on TED.com   Be prepared to critique in class. 

Economy and precision of speech:  epigrams, quotes, proverbs. The example of  Nassim Taleb,  "The Bed of

Reading assignment

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Week 4:  Monday, Feb. 8 - Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Resume no. 2. Overview of the development of rhetoric from the Greeks to modern times. 

Inductive and Deductive Thinking;  "Observation/Perception, Description,  Interpretation and Evaluation"

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Week 5:  Monday, Feb. 15- Wednesday, Feb. 17

Presentation of speeches .  Resume no. 3. 

Assignment:  Speech 2:  "Pro/Con" Speech:  Due:  Monday, Feb. 29 (Criteria and Guidelines to be handed out ). 

Antithesis,  developments of argumentation and rebuttals.  Invention. 

Film: Julian Castro, 1012 Democratic National Convention Speech.

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Week 6:  Monday, Feb. 22 - Wednesday Feb. 24                                                             

Midterm Week.  Midterm review . 

Presentations, Speech 2:  "Pro/Con" Speeches.  Resume no. 4

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Week 7:  Monday Feb 24  - Wednesday, Feb. 26:

Resume no. 5.  Presentations (con't):

Speech 2: Impromptu speeches (5 mins)  Prompt/topic to be announced

Reading assignment:  Frankfurt,  On Bullshit.  Due:  Wednesday, March 2.

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Week 8:  Monday, February 29- Wednesday, March 2, Friday March 4 (Make-up day)

Resume no. 6.  Review of Frankfurt . 

Assignment: Speech 3: 

Conflict Negotiation Unit:  Group assignments and casses. 

Criteria and Guidelines to be distributed.  Due: Monday,    March 21.

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Week 9:  Monday March 7  - Wednesday March 9:

Review and discussion of conflict negotiation process.

Handouts

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Week 10:  Monday, March 14 - Friday, March 16

Continued review and discussion of negotiation process

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Week 11:  Monday, March 21 - Wednesday, March 23:

Resume No. 7.  Presentation:  Conflict Negotiation Presentations.  Speech 4 assignment:  Imagining the Narrative Story.  Due:  Final Exam

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Week 12:  Monday, March 28 - Wednesday,  Friday, April 1: 

Spring Break

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Week 13:  Monday, April 4 - Wednesday, April 6:

Resume No. 8.  Imagining and elaborating the story.

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Week 14:  Monday, April 11 - Wednesday, April 13

Film on narrating the story.. 

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Week 15:  Monday, April 18 -  Wednesday, April 20(Last day of classes)

Narrating the story.

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Week 16:  Monday April 25 (Holiday) - Wednesday, April 28 (Last day of class).

Narrating the story

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Final Exam:  To be announced.

Speaking manifests the being of the world, the being of man, and the being of though  

 Georges Gusdo Speaking (La Parole) p. 39