Academic Catalog

COMM 1A: PUBLIC SPEAKING

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2024
Units: 5
Hours: 5 lecture per week (60 total per quarter)
Advisory: Demonstrated proficiency in English by placement via multiple measures OR through an equivalent placement process OR completion of ESLL 125 & ESLL 249; not open to students with credit in COMM 1AH or SPCH 1A.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Area V: Communication & Analytical Thinking
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • A successful student will be able to organize strategies for successful oral presentations.
  • A successful student will be able to clearly evaluate oral presentations.

Description

Introduction to the analysis, theory, and history of rhetoric and public address; application of principles of public address to the preparation and delivery of public speeches.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Investigate the process and nature of oral communication.
  2. Gain experience in the presentation and evaluation of public communication presentations.
  3. Organize and plan speeches for a variety of purposes, including narrative, informative, persuasive, and special occasions.
  4. Utilize supportive materials, such as visual aids and documentation.
  5. Practice audience analysis with emphasis on cultural, gender, and generational diversity.

Course Content

  1. Oral communication theory
    1. Common characteristics of the public speaking process
    2. The competent communicator's view of cultural diversity as a communication opportunity
    3. The effects of mass communication on modern rhetorical theory
  2. Critical evaluation of speech presentations
    1. Self-analysis through use of at least one video-taped speech
    2. Peer evaluations of student speeches
    3. Instructor evaluations
  3. Organization and planning of the speech performance
    1. Traditional patterns of organization to include Dewey's motivated sequence
    2. Effective introductions and conclusions
    3. Oral communication skills
    4. Outlining techniques
  4. Use of supporting materials
    1. Visual aids
    2. Documentation and support of claims
  5. Practice audience analysis with emphasis on diversity
    1. Analysis of audience belief and value structures in terms of cultural and societal influences
    2. Consideration of cultural, gender, and generational elements when planning inspirational and motivational speech strategies

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Classroom with computer and internet access, projector and screen, document camera, video camera, television, DVD player and recorder; for online work, student access to a computer with email and internet capability.
2. When taught via Foothill Global Access: on-going access to computer with email software and capabilities; email address; JavaScript-enabled internet browsing software.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Five speech presentations in front of an audience, including the narrative, informative, and persuasive formats
Formal written outlines for speeches, including thesis or claim statement, supporting ideas or arguments, evidence, and full citations
Submission of assignments, including peer evaluation and critique
Exams on course material

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Cooperative learning exercises
Field work
Oral presentations
Electronic discussions/chat
Independent study
Demonstration
Internship/preceptorship
Community service
Field trips

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Beebe, Stephen A., and Susan J. Beebe. Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach. 2017.

Fujishin, Randy. The Natural Speaker. 2018.

Jaffe, Clella. Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society. 2016.

University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. Stand Up, Speak Out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking (OER). 2016.

Barton and Tucker. Exploring Public Speaking (OER). 2023.

Floyd, K.. Public Speaking Matters. 2023.

Lucas, S.. The Art of Public Speaking. 2020.

German, K.. Principles of Public Speaking. 2016.

Although some of these texts are older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, they remain seminal texts in this area of study.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Weekly chapter reading assignments from textbook, as well as outside sources, ranging from 20-40 pages per week
  2. Written speech outlines; essays in response to lectures, class discussions, and exercises; textbook assignments; and written tests based on course material

Discipline(s)

Communication Studies