COMM C1000 - Introduction to Public Speaking (formerly SPCH 101)
Course Description:

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. 

[Part 2] This course is designed for Communication Studies majors and recommended for students interested in the Forensics: Speech and Debate team, and/or Pathway to Law.

I. Cover

CC Discipline/Department: Communications and Languages
Planning Department: Speech
Course Number: COMM C1000
Course Title: Introduction to Public Speaking (formerly SPCH 101)
Units: 3.000 Units
Lecture: 54.000 Hours
Lab: 0.000
Discussion Hours: 0.000
Total Contact Hours: 54.000 Hours
Outside-of-Class Hours: 108.000 Hours
Total Student Learning Hours: 162.000 Hours
TOP Code: 1506.00 - Speech and Rhetorical Studies
CIP Code 09.0101 - Speech Communication and Rhetoric
SAM Code: Non-Occupational

II. Need/Justification/Goals

This is a degree appropriate course and a general education course at Rio Hondo and four-year institutions. This course is one of the core classes students need to major in Communication Studies 2.0 AA-T at Rio Hondo College.

III. Title 5 Requirements

B. Exiting Skills (“Upon exiting the course, students should be able to”):
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.
C. Minimum Required for a “C”:
Completion of required work with at least 70% of all possible points
D. Grade Options:
  • Standard Letter

IV. Course Content

Lecture Outline:

1. Foundational rhetorical theories, including the canons of rhetoric and Aristotelian proofs, as well as relevant principles of human communication.

2. Critical analysis of historical and contemporary public discourse.

3. Ethical communication practices as senders and receivers.

4. Effective listening and principles of constructive feedback.

5. Rhetorical sensitivity to diverse audiences.

6. Adaptation to audiences, rhetorical situations, and purposes.

7. Types of speeches (for example, speeches to inform, persuade, entertain).

8. Outline and compose effective speeches based on purpose and appropriate subject matter, topic, thesis, and organizational patterns.

9. Research strategies for locating and critically evaluating ideas and information from primary and secondary sources.

10. Use of credible evidence and sound reasoning to support a variety of claims, including appropriate written and oral citations.

11. Effective practice and delivery skills using various modes of delivery.

12. Effective verbal and nonverbal practices while delivering a speech.

13. Techniques for managing communication apprehension.

14. Delivery of a variety of student-composed speeches, including Informative and Persuasive speeches.

V. Course Objectives

The Student Will Be Able To:
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.

VI. Methods of Instruction:

Analysis (individual)
Case Studies
Lecture
Observation
Performances
Presentations

VII. Assignments:

  1. Individual Oral Presentation - Plan, create, and deliver a persuasive speech
  2. Individual Oral Presentation - Plan, create, and deliver an informative speech
  3. Individual Oral Presentation - Individual oral presentations
  4. Short Writing Prompts - Writing assignments to understand concepts in public speaking
  5. Conceptual Mapping - Outlines of speeches
  6. Read assigned course material - Assigned readings
  7. Other - Critiques of speeches

VIII. Methods of Evaluation:

Other Methods:
  1. 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.
  2. Speech outlines and works cited/references.
  3. Critiques of speeches.

IX. Student Learning Outcome

  1. In an oral presentation, students will effectively organize speech content.
  2. In an oral presentation, students will display effective speech delivery.  
  3. In an oral presentation, students will effectively implement appropriate content and research.

X. Texts/Instructional Materials:

Textbooks:
Lucas, Stephan, The Art of Public Speaking, McGraw-Hill, (ISBN: 9781265457082) (2023)
McCroskey, James C., An Introduction to Rhetorical Communication: A Western Rhetorical Perspective, Routledge, (ISBN: 9780205453511) (2005) [PART 2] This text is a classic in the field
Mapes, M., Speak Out, Call In: Public Speaking Advocacy, LibreTexts , (ISBN: OER; https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Public_Speaking/Speak_Out_Call_In%3A_Public_Speaking_as_Advocacy_(Mapes)) (2024)
Cunill, M., Fundamentals of Public Speaking, LumenLearning, (ISBN: OER, https://fscj.pressbooks.pub/publicspeaking/) (2022)
German, K., Principles of Public Speaking, Routledge, (ISBN: 9780367860288) (2021)
Tucker, B, Exploring Public Speaking, LibreTexts, (ISBN: OER, https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/1652) (2023)
Floyd, K., Public Speaking Matters, McGraw-Hill, (ISBN: 9781265457082) (2023)