Academic Catalogs

COMM G110: Introduction to Public Speaking

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2025
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 11/05/2024
Top Code 150600 - Speech Communication
Units 3 Total Units (Lecture Units 3)
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 108
Total Student Learning Hours 162
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)
Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 1B Oral Communication (GA1)
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)

Course Description

Formerly: CMST G110. 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. Common Course Number: COMM C1000. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: COMM 110.C-ID: COMM 110.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Provide an organized speech based on audience analysis, appropriate organizational structure, and verbal and nonverbal delivery skills.
  2. Evaluate research in order to support ideas in a speech.
  3. Formulate language designed to clarify the speech and add interest.
  4. Utilize nonverbal elements in delivery through voice and body.
  5. Participate in evaluating class members speeches.

Course Objectives

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

Lecture Content

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. Language usage including clarity, vividness, emphasis, and approrpriateness. Development and construction of appropriate presentation aids for speeches.

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Instructional Techniques

-

Reading Assignments

Textbook and instructor handouts.

Writing Assignments

Prepare written outline for delivery of major speeches: Informative speech Persuasive speech Prepare written outline for delivery of minor speeches: Speech of introduction Speech to entertain Speech/speaker critique and analysis

Out-of-class Assignments

Speech research, outlining, self-evaluation post-performance.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Midterm Exam
  • Final Exam
  • Short Quizzes
  • Written Assignments
  • Essay Examinations
  • Objective Examinations
  • Report
  • Projects (Individual/Group)
  • Problem Solving Exercises
  • Oral Presentations
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will be required to recognize the essential differences between informative and persuasive messages. They will research, evaluate and organize information in order to present speeches and evaluate the presentations of others.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

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.

Resources Subscreen

  • Textbook: Lucas, Stephen E.. The Art of Public Speaking, 13th ed.. McGraw Hill (2023 ).
  • Textbook: O'Hair, Dan., Hannah Rubenstein and Rob Stewart. A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, 7th ed.. Bedford/St. Martins Publishing (2023 ).
  • Open Education Resource: Schreiber, Lisa. Public Speaking: The Virtual Text , ed.. (2016).
  • Textbook: Barton, K., & Tucker, B.G.. Exploring Public Speaking, 4th ed.. LibreTexts (2022).
  • Textbook: Mapes, M.. Speak Out, Call In: Public Speaking as Advocacy, ed.. LibreTexts (2021 ).
  • Textbook: Cunill, M.. Fundamentals of Public Speaking, ed.. LumenLearning (2021 ).
  • Textbook: Floyd, K.. Public Speaking Matters, 3rd ed.. McGraw-Hill (2023 ).
  • Textbook: German, K.. Principles of Public Speaking, 20th ed.. Routledge (2021).

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • 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.