Course Outline for Communication Studies 48
Activities in Forensics

Effective: Fall 2017
SLO Rev: 05/19/2016

Catalog Description:

COMM 48 - Activities in Forensics

1.00 - 4.00 Units

May be repeated 3 time(s)
Intercollegiate competition in the areas of public address, evidence-based and limited preparation debate, and oral interpretation of literature. Preparation of events includes research, writing, practice, and performance. Other activities may include performance in workshops, festivals, concert reading and the community.
CB03: TOP Code 1506.00 - Speech Communication
Course Grading: Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Laboratory 1.00 - 4.00 72.00 - 288.00 0.00 72.00 - 288.00
Total 1.00 - 4.00 72.00 - 288.00 0.00 - 0.00 72.00 - 288.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. develop rhetorical and communication skills in competitive performance situation;
  2. exhibit improvement of delivery skills;
  3. analyze and arrange speeches for performance following acceptable guidelines;
  4. demonstrate competence in research by using appropriate methods of research; finding, editing, and analyzing academic appropriate sources; discerning research that is acceptable for use;
  5. illustrate logical thinking through effective advocacy, appropriate selections of material, and preparation of events;
  6. integrate coaching, peer, judging, and self critiques to their performances to increase their skills and performances;
  7. demonstrate growth in events by illustrating an understanding of the events, criterion for success, and/or development in performance quality.

Course Content:

Lecture:
 
A. Overview of intercollegitate Forensics competition including: debate formats, platform speeches, limited preparation events, and interpretation of literature.  
 
B. Examination and analysis of strategies for successful performances including, but not limited to: proper organization, discovery and evaluation of research, analysis of decision making paradigms, discussion of performance styles and expctations, and developing an understanding of the criterion for different levels of competition. 
 
Lab:
 
A. Information competency illustrated by research, critical analysis, logical argumentation, and writing for events. This may include, but is not limited to,
1. Organization of the speech;
2. Logical arguments and support of those arguments;
3. the ability to find and use academic research; 
B. Application of competitive theory 
C. Creating a presentation commensurate with the level of competition and type of presentation being delivered. 
D. Demonstrate growth in events by illustrating an understanding of the events, criterion for success, and/or development in performance quality.

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Demonstration/Exercise
  2. Attendance of live performance
  3. Activity play
  4. Field Experience
  5. Discussion Seminar
  6. Lectures
  7. Field Trips
  8. Presentation
  9. Supervised Tutoring
  10. Distance Education
  11. Individual coach-student sessions
  12. Peer group evaluation
  13. Video audio tapes and performances

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Create an event(s) for competition. This may include platform speeches, interpretation of literature, debate, and/or limited preparation events.
  2. Research, evaluate, and analyze literature for use in an interpretation competition.
  3. Practice debates using previously researched debate topics.
  4. Deliver event in a manner commensurate with the level of competition students shall be entering. Develop and improve delivery skills.
  5. Research, evaluate, and analyze academic periodicals for use in a debate competition or in the creation of a public address.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Instructor critique of speeches
  2. Peer critiques
  3. Participation at speech tournaments
  4. Final Examination
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Analyze, appraise, and synthesize literature and/or research materials for performance and production
  2. Listen to, evaluate, and critique the performances of others.
  3. Recognize, define, and apply the principles of practical communication and competitive/forensics communication theory.

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Weinbrenner, T.C. (1997). Intercollegiate Forensics (2nd). Kendell Hunt.
  2. Gura, Timothy; Lee, Charolette (2010). Oral Interpretation Allyn and Bacon .
  3. Heinrichs, J. (2013). Thank you for Arguing (13). Crown Publishers.
Additional Materials:
  • Visual aid stands,
  • scripts, etc. as needed to participate in the student's chosen events.