Course Outline for Communication Studies C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking

Effective: Fall 2025
SLO Rev:

Catalog Description:

COMM C1000 - Introduction to Public Speaking

3.00 Units

In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. Formerly COMM 1.
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000 (formerly ENGL 1)
CB03: TOP Code 1506.00 - Speech Communication
CIP Code 09.0101 - Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
Course Grading: Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Apply rhetorical theories to create and analyze public speeches in a variety of contexts, including historical and/or contemporary.
  2. Formulate and implement effective research strategies to gather information and ideas from primary and secondary sources, evaluating them for credibility, accuracy, and relevancy.
  3. Employ sound reasoning and construct compelling arguments in support of a guiding thesis and organizational pattern appropriate for the audience, occasion, and purpose.
  4. Demonstrate rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging and adhere to ethical communication practices which include truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason.
  5. Compose and deliver a variety of speeches, including Informative and Persuasive speeches, to a live audience (one to many) using effective delivery practices.
  6. Employ effective listening practices.

    EXPANDED COURSE OBJECTIVES:

  7. Confidently address a live audience, defined as at least 7 individuals aged 13 and older.

Course Content:

  1. Foundational rhetorical theories, including the canons of rhetoric and Aristotelian proofs, as well as relevant principles of human communication.
  2. Critical analysis of historical and contemporary public discourse.
  3. Ethical communication practices as senders and receivers.
  4. Effective listening and principles of constructive feedback.
  5. Rhetorical sensitivity to diverse audiences.
  6. Adaptation to audiences, rhetorical situations, and purposes.
  7. Types of speeches (for example, speeches to inform, persuade, entertain).
  8. Outline and compose effective speeches based on purpose and appropriate subject matter, topic, thesis, and organizational patterns.
  9. Research strategies for locating and critically evaluating ideas and information from primary and secondary sources.
  10. Use of credible evidence and sound reasoning to support a variety of claims, including appropriate written and oral citations.
  11. Effective practice and delivery skills using various modes of delivery.
  12. Effective verbal and nonverbal practices while delivering a speech.
  13. Techniques for managing communication apprehension.
  14. Delivery of a variety of student-composed speeches, including Informative and Persuasive speeches.

 

Expanded Course Content:

  1. Listening critically to provide constructive criticism to peers.

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Group discussion
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Activity play
  4. Written assignments
  5. Advisory group presentations and feedback
  6. Distance Education
  7. Multimedia

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Interview and introduce a classmate in a 2-3 minute speech. Include details about their background, career goals, likes/dislikes, and any other interesting information you discover about them.
  2. Observe a formal speech and write a 4-6 page typed essay evaluating the presentation. Please critique their structure/organization, delivery style, and the context (time & space of the event) in your analysis. Use terms from course lectures and textbook to describe their performance specifically.
  3. Research and present a 7-9 minute Persuasive speech. Choose a controversial social issue and build a case solidly arguing for one side. Using Ethos, Pathos, and Logos develop persuasive strategies to reach your audience. You may use Monroe’s Motivated Sequence or Problem/Cause/Solution structure for this presentation. A minimum of 5 outside sources are required for this speech.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. A minimum of three faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated, oral presentations in front of a live audience (one to many), including an Informative speech of at least five minutes and a Persuasive speech of at least six minutes in length; speech outlines and works cited/references; critiques of speeches. Additional methods of evaluation are at the discretion of local faculty.
  2. Written assignments
  3. Oral Presentation
  4. Final Examination
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Recognize, define, and apply the principles of practical communication and communication theory
  2. Adopt an ethical perspective when presenting original ideas and/or incorporating the ideas of others
  3. Listen to, evaluate, and respond appropriately to the ideas of others
  4. Understand the variety of value systems people use in communication

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Barton, K., Tucker, B. (2019). Exploring Public Speaking (4th/e). LibreTexts https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=communication-textbooks.
  2. Mapes, M. (2019). Speak Out, Call In: Public Speaking as Advocacy LibreTexts https://opentext.ku.edu/speakupcallin/.
  3. Cunill, M. (2022). Fundamentals of Public Speaking LumenLearning https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-epcc-speech/.
  1. Floyd, K. (2022). Public Speaking Matters (3rd). McGraw Hill.
  2. Lucas, S. (2023). The Art of Public Speaking (13th). McGraw Hill.
  3. German, K. (2020). Principles of Public Speaking. (20th). Routledge.
  4. Valenzano, J. M. III., Braden S. W. (2018). The Speaker: The Tradition and Practice of Public Speaking (4th). Fountainhe.
  5. O'Hare, D., Stewart, R., Rubenstein, H. (2022). A Speaker's Guidebook Text and Reference (8th). Bedford/St. Martin's.
  6. O'Hare, D., Stewart, R., Rubenstein, H. (2022). A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking (7th). Mac Higher.

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. Formerly COMM 1.
Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000 (formerly ENGL 1)

Discipline:
Communication Studies*