Public Speaking

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. (SPCH 1315) Public Speaking. COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores principles, practice and criticism of public speaking. Emphasizes public speaking as more than performance, examining key skills, including audience analysis, research, organization, use of supporting materials and delivery techniques. Attention to ethical communication and sensitivity to diverse audiences across professional, political, religious, cultural and ideological contexts. Includes practice in informative, persuasive and group speaking, developing verbal and nonverbal communication strategies. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. Equips students with skills essential for professional, academic and civic life. Builds competence in organizing ideas, supporting arguments, adapting them to varied audiences. Develops confidence in extemporaneous speaking, critical listening and communication across diverse contexts. Prepares students for leadership roles, workplace communication and active participation in public dialogue. DEEPENING UNDERSTANDINGS. Highlights how everyday ideas about public speaking, such as viewing it only as performance or memorization, differ from research-based and practical perspectives. Develops understanding of speaking as a process involving invention, organization, style, delivery and audience adaptation, enhancing skills in extemporaneous speaking. Emphasizes that effective speaking requires ethical choices, critical thinking and sensitivity to diverse audiences as much as confidence in delivery. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include exploration of why public speaking matters in contemporary society; study of ethical principles in communication; development of confidence and listening skills; analysis of audiences and rhetorical situations; research and organization of supporting materials; crafting of effective introductions, bodies and conclusions; use of language and presentation aids; practice in informative, persuasive and ceremonial speaking; application of digital rhetoric and multimedia tools. Course speeches and examples may address diverse and sometimes controversial topics, reflecting perspectives represented in public life as well as subjects chosen by students; breadth of content emerges from student interests and experiences, and guidance from the instructor; also taught at Galveston campus.