Speech

A couple of our courses include:

Speech

This course presents the basic techniques of effective public speaking and listening for students in degree or diploma programs. Students improve their oral communication skills through analysis of purposive listening, preparing and presenting informative and persuasive speeches and using the group process to discuss issues and solve problems. It emphasizes audience analysis, audio-visual techniques, speaker evaluation and group work.

[Outline of Instruction]

Interpersonal & Small Group Communication

This course explores verbal and nonverbal concepts, theories, and practical skills necessary to become competent in interpersonal and small group settings. Students explore dependent, independent and interdependent relationships with others in personal and work-related settings.

[Outline of Instruction]

Argumentation & Debate

This course focuses on the theory and practice of argumentation. On the theoretical level, we will seek to conceive the operations of social and personal transformation that can take place during debate. In particular, we will focus on the means by which arguments can turn on established bases of authority. These sites of commonplace meaning will not only be approached as potential supports for claims, but also as sites in which uncertainty can be created. On the practical level, we will interpret, analyze, and counter present-day arguments. We will also construct arguments of our own and test them in live debates. Finally, we will consider the ways in which the contemporary U.S. government and mass media are actually structured, with an eye to developing pragmatic strategies for effective advocacy.