Syllabus
UNE Summer Session
COMN 1010: Public Speaking – 6 Weeks
Credits - 3
Description
This public speaking course will examine the core principles and contexts of communication, specifically in oral presentations. You will learn to recognize the interrelationships among speaker, listener, context, organization, language, and delivery. The course will include information on proper techniques for rhetorical persuasion strategies, research, writing, and delivering oral presentations, as well as the preparation of audio visuals to enhance presentations. Students will also learn and demonstrate skills in rhetorical reasoning, argumentation, listening, and critical thinking.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Compose and structure information that is appropriate for a particular purpose, listener, and occasion
- Develop research skills and techniques for specific rhetorical situations
- Organize, develop, and adapt messages for the intended audience
- Compose thoughtful and cohesive written and oral communications
- Evaluate presentations for efficacy
- Demonstrate performance skills associated with the five basic components of effective individual oral presentations including rhetorical persuasion, content, organization, physical expression, vocal delivery, and language
- Prepare audio, video, and slideware presentations based on basic design principles
Assignments
Discussions
There are a number of discussion topics you will respond to in relation to parts of public speaking. Follow the directions in the course for the initial post. You are also required to respond to at least 2 of your classmates’ posts before the end of the week to get full credit.
Written Assignments
Throughout the course, you will be completing a series of written assignments aimed at having you engage with the material and, later, develop your final persuasive speech. The types of these assignments range in type and work with the course materials assigned in the week.
Persuasive Speech
The key assessment in this course is a 6-minute persuasive speech. You will have developed the topic, outline, and sources as written assignments and will combine them into a recorded speech with visual aids.
Course Reflection Paper
The final assignment for this course is a written self-reflection based on your experience and takeaways from the contents of the course.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment Type | Percentage of Grade |
|---|---|
| Discussions | 20 |
| Assignments | 40 |
| Persuasive Speech | 30 |
| Course Reflection Paper | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
All assignments and discussions are due by 11:59 PM EST on the day listed in the course.
Course Schedule
Week 1: Public Speaking Practice and Delivery
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapters 1 & 11
- Video: Brown, B. (2010, June). The power of vulnerability. TED Conferences.
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 1 Discussion 1: Video Introduction
- Week 1 Discussion 2: Video Review
Week 2: Audience, Purpose, and Context
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapter 2
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 2 Discussion: Audience Analysis
- Week 2 Assignment: Purpose and Context in Public Speaking
Week 3: Rhetorical Reasoning and Persuasive Speaking
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapter 14
- Video: “The counterintuitive way to be more persuasive”
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 3 Discussion: Written Post
- Week 3 Assignment: Persuasive Strategies in Public Speaking
Week 4: Persuasive Speech Argument Structure & Evidence
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapters 5, 7, & 13
- Video: “Why schools should start later for teens”
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 4 Discussion: Brainstorming Audience Position
- Week 4 Assignment 1: Persuasive speech topic generation using concept mapping
- Week 4 Assignment 2: Arguments and Counterarguments
- Week 4 Assignment 3: Research as evidence using keyword sourcing
- Week 5 Assignment 4: Research as Evidence Sources 2 and 3
Week 5: Persuasive Speech Planning
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Chapters 6, 8 & Appendix C
- Supplemental Resources
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 6 Assignment 1: Outline for Persuasive Speech
- Week 6 Assignment 2: Bibliography for Persuasive Speech
Week 6: Persuasive Speech Delivery & Course Reflection
Assigned Learning Materials
- Textbook: Appendix C
- Video: “How to speak so people will want to listen”
Assignments & Discussions
- Week 6 Assignment. 1: Persuasive Speech
- Week 6 Assignment 2: Course Reflection Paper
Student Resources
Summer Session Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Email: summersessiononline@une.edu.
Instructor and Support Contact Information
Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.
UNE Libraries
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Further Assistance
Your student support specialist monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.
To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.
If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.
Policies
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.