COMM A110: Introduction to Public Speaking

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	11/13/2024
Top Code	150600 - Speech Communication
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)	Area 1B Communication and Analytical Thinking (OA2)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)	Area 1B Communication and Analytical Thinking (OAS2) Area 3B Humanities (OSC2)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 1C Oral Communication (1CCG)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 1C Oral Communications (1C)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU A1 Oral Communications (A1) CSU C2 Humanities (C2)

Course Description

Formerly: CMST A110, Public Speaking. In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: COMM 110. Common Course Number: COMM C1000.C-ID: COMM 110.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Demonstrate the ability to write an appropriately organized speech that effectively uses credible evidence to support a solid thesis with claims made.
Demonstrate techniques of effective delivery.
Demonstrate critical listening and feedback skills when evaluating speeches.

Course Objectives

1. Apply rhetorical theories to create and analyze public speeches in a variety of contexts including historical and/or contemporary.
2. Formulate and implement effective research strategies to gather information and ideas from primary and secondary sources, evaluating them for credibility, accuracy, and relevancy.
3. Employ sound reasoning and construct compelling arguments in support of a guiding thesis and organizational pattern appropriate for the audience, occasion, and purpose.
4. Demonstrate rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging and adhere to ethical communication practices which include truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason.
5. Compose and deliver a variety of speeches, including Informative and Persuasive speeches, to a live audience (one to many) using effective delivery practices.
6. Employ effective listening practices.

Lecture Content

Part 1: Foundational rhetorical theories, including the canons of rhetoric and Aristotelian proofs, as well as relevant principles of human communication. Critical analysis of historical and contemporary public discourse. Ethical communication practices as senders and receivers. Effective listening and principles of constructive feedback. Rhetorical sensitivity to diverse audiences. Adaptation to audiences, rhetorical situations, and purposes. Types of speeches (for example, speeches to inform, persuade, entertain). Outline and compose effective speeches based on purpose and appropriate subject matter, topic, thesis, and organizational patterns. Research strategies for locating and critically evaluating ideas and information from primary and secondary sources. Use of credible evidence and sound reasoning to support a variety of claims, including appropriate written and oral citations. Effective practice and delivery skills using various modes of delivery. Effective verbal and nonverbal practices while delivering a speech. Techniques for managing communication apprehension. Delivery of a variety of student-composed speeches, including Informative and Persuasive speeches. Part 2: Theoretical Foundations Understand the cannons of rhetoric Classical rhetoric will include Sophists, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero & Quintilian, Margaret Fuller, bell hooks Contemporary communication theories such as: Accommodation theory, narrative paradigm & elaborate Likelihood Model Information processing theories such as: Cognitive Dissonance & Confirmation Bias Foundational rhetorical theories, including the canons of rhetoric and Aristotelian proofs, as well as relevant principles of human communication. Learn to find, critically examine and use supporting material for speech presentations Analyze sources for credibility, accuracy and relevance Critical analysis of historical and contemporary public discourse. Speech organizing and outlining conceptualize and use compelling arguments in support of a guiding thesis & organizational pattern appropriate for the audience, occasion & variety of contexts Outline and compose effective speeches based on purpose and appropriate subject matter, topic, thesis, and organizational patterns. Research strategies for locating and critically evaluating ideas and information from primary and secondary sources. Use of credible evidence and sound reasoning to support a variety of claims, including appropriate written and oral citations. Audience Behavior Analysis Evaluation of Peer Speeches Understand how to deliver constructive criticisms Effective listening and principles of constructive feedback. Audience/Listener Nonverbal Behavior Delivery Methods of delivery memorized, manuscript, impromptu, extemporaneous Effective practice and delivery skills using various modes of delivery Employing effective verbal & nonverbal delivery techniques Accommodating to diverse audiences Demonstrate rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging & accessibility Ethical communication practices as senders and receivers. Strategies to reduce Communication Apprehension Rhetorical sensitivity to diverse audiences. Adaptation to audiences, rhetorical situations, and purposes. Techniques for managing communication apprehension. Delivery of a variety of student-composed speeches, including Informative and Persuasive speeches. Types of Speeches Informative Content Organization Visual Aids Persuasive Content Argument Organization Other Other types of speeches such as: Speech to Entertain Definition Purpose Types Difficulties Impromptu Speaking Content Organization Preparation Group Discussion Definition Responsibilities Types - symposium, panel discussion, group presentation Oral Interpretation How to prepare Literature options - prose, poetry, drama, screen plays How to present Speeches to Celebrate 1. Thesis2. Story telling 3. Structure

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

1. Lecture on types of speeches as assigned, research, and outline techniques. 2. Oral and written critiques of classmates speeches. 3. Written assignments. 4. Tests on student command of principles of effective speaking. 5. Video and power point demonstrations.

Reading Assignments

Read articles on the necessity of oral communication training in a modern workforce. Read speeches that illustrate effective language use, such as Reagan's eulogy for the Challenger astronauts. Read the assigned text on average of 3 hours a week.

Writing Assignments

1. Analysis of sample speeches 2. Outline and work cited page for persuasive and informative speeches. 3. Written and oral critiques of classmates speeches

Out-of-class Assignments

Persuasive speaking - Students will prepare a researched speech advocating legislative and personal solutions to a significant problem that they have identified. Informative speaking - Students shall prepare an outline with sources and visual aids.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1. Tests 2. Skills demonstrations 3. Speech presentation improvement 4. Outlining evaluation 5. Evaluation of critical thinking skills 6. Evaluation of research and source citation techniques 7. Peer and self-evaluation 8. Optional video recording of speeches

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

1. Minimum of three preparation outlines 2. Minimum of five speech performances, at least three in front of a live audience, including informative and persuasive 3. Written and oral critiques of classmates speeches 4. A minimum of three faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated, oral presentations in front of a live audience (one to many), including an Informative speech of at least five minutes and a Persuasive speech of at least six minutes in length; speech outlines and works cited/references; critiques of speeches. 5. Additional methods of evaluation are at the discretion of local faculty.

Eligible Disciplines

Communication studies (speech communication): Master's degree in speech, speech broadcasting, telecommunications, rhetoric, communication, communication studies, speech communication, or organizational communication OR bachelor's degree in any of the above AND master's degree in drama/ theater arts, mass communication, or English OR the equivalent. Master's degree required. Speech communication: See communication studies Master's degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Lundberg, Keith et al. Public Speaking at Coast Community Colleges, ed. Cengage Learning, 2020 2. Required Engleberg, I.N., Daly, J.A.. The Norton Field Guide to Speaking, 1st ed. Norton, 2022 3. Required Gehrke, p., Foley, M.. Contemporary Public Speaking, 1st ed. W.W. Norton Company, 2023 4. Required Barton and Tucker.. Exploring Public Speaking. , ed. LibreTexts. (OER), 2024

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