fall term
Course Meeting Times
Lectures: 2 sessions per week, 2 hours per session
Course Goals
Study the techniques and develop the skills of preparing and delivering effective public speaking presentations. Learn how to engage an audience and maintain interest. Successfully organize materials and apply visual aids. Respond to difficult situations. Cultivate a personal presentation style and platform presence. Foster awareness in active listening, in identity and cross-cultural understanding, in visual presentations and project completion. Enhance overall confidence in oral communications.
Also, contribute new ideas to the classroom. Explore perspectives. Competently field questions. Reflect on what is learned and think of ways to make improvements.
Instructor Expectations
Learn and have fun! Respect varying points of view. Be present for class. Arrive prepared with finished work and all appropriate materials. Embrace academic integrity. Take responsibility for your own learning.
Grading
Speeches + Progress 50%
Reflections 20%
Final Paper 10%
Group Presentation 10%
Participation 5%
(In-class contribution and interaction with other students and the instructor. Asking questions, offering answers, sharing opinions and ideas are all ways of demonstrating participation.)
Attendance 5%
(Punctuality counts. Attendance is taken sharp at the start of class. Four absences will result in an “Incomplete” grade for the course.)
Pop Quizzes
(Unannounced quizzes are given based on reading assignments and class lectures. Quiz scores are included as part of the attendance grade.)
*Papers turned in late will receive one letter grade lower per day.
**Independent reading is a corollary component of the course.
***Drinks are permitted in the classroom. Students are expected to pick up after themselves.
****Plagiarism, cell phone use, text messaging during class…hmm.
Calendar
Week Topics Key Dates
1 Course Introduction, Active Listening
First Steps—Reading a Speech
2 Communication Theory Overview Reflection
Engagement: Understanding Your Audience
3 Personal Topic Speeches
Personal Topic Speeches Continued
4 Colloquium: Great Speeches, Great Speakers
Forming Content and Crafting Structure
5 The Impromptu Speech
The Evaluation Rubric, Presentations Reflection
6 Compelling Delivery
Handling Distractions
7 Current Event Speeches
Current Event Speeches
8 Building Confidence, Being Relaxed Reflection
Colloquium: Non-Verbal Communication
9 Advertising Techniques
Multimedia Imagery Workshop
10 Creating and Applying Visual Aids
Preparing for the Event and the “X Factor”
11 One-On-One Student Consultations, Group Preparation
One-On-One Student Consultations, Group Preparation
12 Group Presentations—Choice of Three Topics
Group Presentations Continued
13 Understanding Group Dynamics Reflection
in Creating a Successful Presentation
The Two-Minute Speech
14 The Q&A Process: Using Sales Tactics Reflection
to Field Questions and Overcome Objections
The Importance Storytelling
15 Persuasive Speeches—Student Selected Topics
Persuasive Speeches Continued
16 Ethics and Authenticity Final Paper Due
Course Review
