COMM C1000H - Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors (formerly SPCH 101H)
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. This is an honors course.

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

I. Cover

CC Discipline/Department: Communications and Languages
Planning Department: Speech
Course Number: COMM C1000H
Course Title: Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors (formerly SPCH 101H)
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
Advisory: ENGL C1000
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. The honors component will allow the students to do in-depth analysis and study of communication theory and concepts as it applies to public speaking. 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

A. Entering Skills (“Upon entering the course, students should be able to…”):
Use critical thinking processes to clearly and logically explain and/or defend points of view. (ENGL C1000)
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.
[PART 2] Create and deliver a speech message at an advanced level. (HONORS CONTENT)
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.

[PART 2]

15. Research Component: Analysis of a current speech/speech act using a communication-based theory or concept(s).  (HONORS CONTENT)

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.
[PART 2] Create and deliver a speech message at an advanced level. (HONORS CONTENT)

VI. Methods of Instruction:

Analysis (individual)
Case Studies
Discussion (classroom)
Guest Speakers
Lecture
Observation
Performances
Presentations

VII. Assignments:

  1. Individual Oral Presentation - Individual oral presentations
  2. Short Writing Prompts - Writing assignments to understand concepts in public speaking
  3. Conceptual Mapping - Outlines of speeches
  4. Other - Critiques of speeches
  5. Read assigned course material - Assigned readings
  6. Individual Oral Presentation - Plan, create, and deliver an information speech
  7. Term Paper - Research Component: Write a research paper on a topic related to public speaking, such as an analysis of a speech using a communication-based theory or concept(s). (HONORS CONTENT)
  8. Individual Oral Presentation - Plan, create, and deliver a persuasive speech

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.

[PART 2]

4. Appraise the completion of a speech through the evaluation of documented evidence and/or observation of an out-of-class speech presentation. (HONORS CONTENT)

IX. Student Learning Outcome

  1. After listening to an oral presentation, students will apply related rhetorical principles in a written analysis of the presentation.
  2. In an oral presentation, students will demonstrate the effective use of language devices (e.g., alliteration, repetition, antithesis, etc.) to strengthen their communicative message.
  3. In an oral presentation, students will effectively implement appropriate content and research
  4. In an oral presentation, students will effectively organize speech content
  5. In an oral presentation, students will manage their communication apprehension (anxiety)

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 is a classic in the field
Tucker, Barbara, Exploring Public Speaking, LibreText , (ISBN: OER, https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/1652) (2023)
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)
Floyd, Kory, Public Speaking Matters, McGraw-Hill, (ISBN: 9781264377718) (2023)
German, K., Principles of Public Speaking, Routledge, (ISBN: 9780367860288) (2021)
Cunill, M., Fundamentals of Public Speaking, LumenLearning, (ISBN: OER, https://fscj.pressbooks.pub/publicspeaking/) (2022)