COMM 111 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking

4 Credit(s)

This course is designed to help students learn to express their ideas to an audience with confidence and clarity. The aim of this course is to teach students to speak in a public setting by preparing presentations on a number of diverse topics for use on a variety of occasions. This course provides students with opportunities to learn how to analyze an audience and tailor their messages to that audience. In addition, students will learn to become critical listeners by analyzing and critiquing other students’ presentations. 

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate basic understanding and competency in speech preparation including selecting appropriate topics, clear and specific organization, use of compelling evidence and support

2. Demonstrate the ability to create a clearly worded thesis and specific purpose statement

3. Distinguish between information and persuasion in a public speaking setting

4. Analyze and develop an argument according to rules of logic, and motivate an audience through the use of appropriate emotional appeals

5. Exhibit skills in audience analysis, critical listening and critiquing speeches