Course: COMM 1020
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Communications
Title: Public Speaking
Semester Approved: Spring 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2026
End Semester: Fall 2027
Catalog Description: This is a practical and general course designed for students who desire to improve their speech efficiency, poise and self-confidence in public address situations. Special emphasis is placed on preparing, selecting, researching, organizing and delivering oral messages as well as on analyzing and evaluating the speaking-listening process.
General Education Requirements: Fine Arts (FA)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Justification: Public Speaking is designed to fulfill the general education requirement for Fine Arts and as a support course for various majors. The importance of public speaking effectiveness for occupational success has become widely accepted in recent years. Many studies link professional success with communication skills. The ability to effectively communicate orally is frequently considered a top skill that employers are looking for in prospective employees. The ability to give effective presentations is an essential building block that students need in order to be successful as they continue their education and as they transition into the workforce. Public Speaking (COMM 1020) is taught at most Utah colleges and universities.
General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students will demonstrate that they understand the presentation of ideas is not fixed and is continually progressing. They will learn the nature of public speaking and will be able to understand the aspects that influence one's ability to read an audience and present a variety of ideas. An important goal for this course is to foster an appreciation for and understanding of public speaking in a variety of settings, cultures and audiences. Through class discussions, presentation, verbal and oral feedback and essay exams students will demonstrate that they have internalized the material presented.
2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will write at least two formal, full-detail, full-sentence outlines corresponding with an informative and persuasive speech. Students are also required to write up to three speech critiques, at least one on their own performance and one on a speech outside of the classroom. Each outline and critique will be returned with suggestions for improving the student's writing skills. Students will demonstrate an ability to read, retrieve, evaluate, interpret, and deliver information through assignments, personal presentations, group presentations, and exams.
3: A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities used to enhance social relations and define roles within teams, often involving collaborative tasks. These activities are intended to improve performance in a team-based environment. Through classroom discussions, observations, and at least one group presentation students will demonstrate their ability to understand and manage conflict as part of a team.
4: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Public Speaking requires students to think and communicate critically by creating strong argumentation through the use of pathos, ethos and logos. Students will be instructed on how to create effective arguments and ideas through the use of evidence, credibility and emotion by writing and presenting speeches to audience.
5: A student who completes the GE curriculum can communicate effectively through writing and speaking. Students will be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities used to respond to artistic work and performance in a sensitive and educated manner. One required element will be to attend and evaluate a speech presentation outside of the classroom. These activities are intended to improve artistic understanding and appreciation. This outcome will be assessed through classroom discussions, performance observations, and written assignments.
General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes:
1: Students will explore human cultures and the natural world, with a particular emphasis on the fine arts. Students will demonstrate their understanding of performance and the creative process of the various public speaking aspects through oral performances as well as evaluation on famous public speeches. Students will be more enlightened observers of the fine arts with the ability to artistically and analytically respond to both content and a live performance aspect. This course is similar to a theater course in the emphasis on oral performance, body language and performers ability to read the audience. This outcome will be assess through oral performances, readings, written responses, and audience feedback. Students will explore human cultures and the natural world, with a particular emphasis on the fine arts. Students will demonstrate their understanding of performance and the creative process of the various public speaking aspects through oral performances as well as evaluation on famous public speeches. Students will be more enlightened observers of the fine arts with the ability to artistically and analytically respond to both content and a live performance aspect. This course is similar to a theater course in the emphasis on oral performance, body language and performers ability to read the audience. This outcome will be assess through oral performances, readings, written responses, and audience feedback.
2: Provide an informed synopsis of the performing and/or visual arts in the contexts of culture and history through reading and interpreting pertinent information using a variety of traditional and electronic media. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the scope of public speaking as a performance piece through reading and interpreting pertinent information using tradition and electronic media. Students will be asked to critically analyze the history of public speaking as an artform, and how public speaking has gained popularity as an artistic outlet through many channels including Tedtalks and other performance venues. This will be assessed through written assignments, discussions and performances.
3: Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual and elemental principles fundamental to the creation of various forms of artistic expression. One of the focuses of Public Speaking is to gain an appreciation for research and performance as an art-form. As students become more aware of communication fundamentals and performances requirements they will be introduced to public speaking as a form of artistic expression. Students will be able to self analyze and critique public speaking as a form of artistic expression. Students will be asked to evaluate speeches on a scholarly and professional level. They will be encouraged to view the creation of these performance as an artistic expression. Students will critically analyze speeches for both content and artistic aspects. Students will demonstrate an understanding of artistic expression through personal presentations, group presentations, class discussions, self-evaluations and peer evaluations.
4: Exhibit an ability to critically analyze artistic works using appropriate techniques, vocabulary, and methodologies. Students will exhibit their ability to analyze artistic works by participating in group presentations on specific topics relating to public speaking as an artform. Through group presentations, and performance critiques students will demonstrate and apply relevant vocabulary and knowledge of performance history and performance practices.
This outcome will be assess through oral performances, readings, written responses, and audience feedback.
Student Learning Outcomes: Analyze and critique the oral communication of oneself and others. One of the focuses of Public Speaking is to gain an appreciation for and an improved oral communication skills. In this course students will learn to give informative and persuasive speeches. As students become more aware of communication patterns and the importance of effective communication skills, they will be able to self analyze and critique oral communication skills of others. Students will demonstrate an understanding of these skills through personal presentations, group presentations, class discussions, self-evaluations and peer evaluations.
Develop appropriate rhetorical patterns (i.e. narration, example, process, comparison/contrast, classification, cause/effect, definition, argumentation) to influence attitudes, beliefs and actions, while demonstrating speaking skills from process to product. Students will gain an understanding of public speaking skills along with basic communication principles. They will learn to select and limit topics that are significant and appropriate for the audience. Concepts that will be covered include and are not limited to delivery, organization, outlining, assessment, narrations, classification, and process. They will learn to phrase thesis statements and key ideas effectively. As students learn to use appropriate rhetorical patterns, they will construct and arrange ideas in an organized and compelling fashion. Students will demonstrate an understanding of oral communication skills through personal presentations, group presentations, class discussions, attendance of a theater performance, self-evaluations and peer evaluations.
Communicate orally in ways that are appropriate to the goal, communication channel, context of the communication episode while employing effective use of organizational strategies, communication ethics, verbal and nonverbal language, vocalics, and communication apprehension techniques. Students will be able to understand and explain the importance of effective communication skills. These skills are essential in a variety of settings in their lives. As students look at communication goals, they will gain an understanding of the importance of the communication channel, the use of proper vocalic, and an awareness of nonverbal communication cues. Through classroom discussions, observations, presentations and exams, students will demonstrate their ability to articulate an understanding of communication goals and their influence on personal development.
Manage and coordinate credible/relevant information gathered from multiple sources for the purposes of problem solving, decision-making, speech building, and supporting an argument.
Communicate effectively interpersonally with others in conversation, interview, and group/team contexts.
Students will be actively engaged in informative and persuasive speeches. Writing these speeches involves research and organization from multiple sources. As students manage and coordinate relevant information, they will develop an understanding of communication goals and their influence on personal development. Students will learn to phrase thesis statements and key ideas effectively. They will be able to construct and arrange ideas in an organized fashion and including the use of appropriate patterns of arrangement, compelling introductions and conclusions. Students will demonstrate an understanding through assignments, research outlines, personal presentations, group presentations, attendance of an outside speaking event and class discussions.
Understand and manage conflict in a variety of communication contexts with an emphasis on team building. Students will be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities used to enhance social relations and define roles within teams, often involving collaborative tasks. These activities are intended to improve performance in a team-based environment. Through classroom discussions, observations, and at least one group presentation students will demonstrate their ability to understand and manage conflict as part of a team.
Explain the role human communication plays in the development and maintenance of societies including academic, social, and professional endeavors; communicate an understanding of vocabulary, concepts, materials, techniques, and methods of intellectual inquiry in communication. Students will actively investigate communication as a process of sending and receiving information among people. As students understand their audience, they will be exposed to the importance of human communication. Humans communicate with others not only by face-to-face communication, but also on the public speaking forum. Indeed, communication facilitates the spread of knowledge and forms relationships between people. Students will demonstrate an exposure to the role of communications through assignments, personal presentations, class discussions, self-evaluations and peer evaluations.
Content: Through a lecture and discussion format, this course will cover many types of speaking styles. Each student has an opportunity to present a combination of introductory, informative, impromptu, persuasive and group speeches. A strong emphasis is placed on writing detailed outlines and research. Emphasis is also placed on ethical reasoning and behaviors as a speaker.Emphasis is placed on performance and artistic elements of that performance.Each student will learn to read the audience and ways to adjust to audience reactions.Nonverbal communication through delivery is addressed as an important aspect of performance.The creative and communication mediums used in this course welcomes diverse perspectives and encourage inclusion as part of the creative process.
Key Performance Indicators: Students are assessed through:
Performances 30 to 70%
Exams / quizzes 15 to 30%
Evaluations 10 to 20%
Discussions and Written assignments 5 to 20%
Observation and analysis of an outside speaking event 10 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies: Lucas, Stephan. The Art of Public Speaking. San Francisco, CA: McGraw Hill. Current Edition.
Pedagogy Statement: Through a variety of inclusive teaching methods including class discussion, individual and group performances, outside speech observations, group activities, individual and peer evaluations diverse learning styles are utilized to encourage inclusion and individuality. The unique perspective of each student is celebrated and encouraged in public speaking.
Instructional Mediums: Lecture
IVC
Online
Maximum Class Size: 20
Optimum Class Size: 18
