Course Outline

Course Outline for Communication Studies 20
Persuasion and Communication

Effective: Fall 2025
SLO Rev:

Catalog Description:

COMM 20 - Persuasion and Communication

3.00 Units

Investigation, development, and practice of persuasive techniques, strategies, and theories throughout ancient and modern times. Topics will include rhetoric, propaganda, and formal/informal argumentation.

Strongly Recommended: ENGL C1000 (formerly ENGL 1) and COMM C1000 (formerly COMM 1)

CB03: TOP Code 1506.00 - Speech Communication

CIP Code 09.0101 - Speech Communication and Rhetoric.

Course Grading: Letter Grade Only

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:

Construct logical and ethical arguments using both formal and informal persuasive and informative techniques while employing sound reasoning to support a guiding thesis and organizational pattern suited to the audience, occasion, and purpose.
Formulate persuasive and informative techniques with consideration of culture and context, using skills of audience analysis;
Analyze and critically evaluate the use of persuasive and informative speech techniques by others in both individual and group speeches through constructive feedback;
Utilize and/or analyze various types of evidence to support claims and recognize logical fallacies within persuasive arguments;
Describe and analyze how people make decisions and utilize this knowledge in the creation of persuasive skills;
Recognize elements of propaganda and its use in modern society;
Develop critical listening skills, and utilize them in analyzing persuasive and informative communication;
Demonstrate rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging by adhering to ethical communication practices which include truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason.
Confidently address a live audience, defined as at least 7 individuals aged 13 and older.

Course Content:

Developing persuasive and informative speaking skills by employing effective verbal and nonverbal practices while delivering a speech and/or presentation, and managing communication apprehension.
Formulating an analysis of traditional forms of the available means of persuasion, including the canons of rhetoric and Aristotelian proofs (ethos, pathos, and logos), as well as relevant principles of human communication. .
Demonstrating audience analysis through investigation of demographics, data, and other forms of statistics/evaluation.
Illustrating critical thinking skills by researching persuasive and informative theories used in speech-making realms such as, but not limited to, political communication, advertising campaigns, and social movements.
Finding, critically examining, and using credible, accurate and relevant supporting materials from primary and secondary sources.
Identifying and describing propaganda and public discourse. Differentiating between propaganda and ethical persuasion in modern and historical communication.
Arranging a mock political campaign and devising strategies gained from knowledge of persuasive theory/political campaign theory.
Practicing and refining rhetorical concepts presented in the course through a variety of well-prepared faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated speeches delivered to a live audience (one to many) using effective persuasive and informative delivery techniques.

Methods of Instruction:

Lecture/Discussion
Distance Education
Presentation
Class and group discussions
Oral and Written Analysis
Advisory group presentations and feedback
Written assignments
Activity play
Presentation of audio-visual materials
Peer evaluation

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments

Create a persuasive speech using a proper persuasive theory.
Watch and create a written evaluation of a political speech/advertising campaign, identifying persuasive techniques used by the campaign.
Evaluate peer speeches, demonstrating your knowledge of persuasive speaking/theory within the evaluation.
Analyze an advertising campaign, and distinguish between elements of persuasion and propaganda.
Watch a debate and write a paper analyzing which persuasive techniques were more effective and why.

2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress

A minimum of three faculty-supervised, faculty-evaluated oral presentations in front of a live audience (one to many) that utilize and/or analyze course concepts for a combined minimum length of 15 minutes.
Projects
Written assignments
Oral Presentation
Final Examination

3. Student Learning Outcomes

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

Construct logical and ethical arguments using persuasive and rhetorical techniques with consideration of culture and context
Listen to, evaluate, and respond appropriately to the arguments of others.
Recognize and discriminate between elements of persuasion and propaganda used in modern society
Recognize, define, and apply the principles of practical communication and persuasion and rhetorical theory

Textbooks (Typical):

OER:

Miller, N. (2023). Persuasion LibreTexts https://commons.libretexts.org/book/socialsci-91133.
Paiz, K. (2023). Persuasion and Critical Thinking LibreTexts https://commons.libretexts.org/book/socialsci-74824.
Worthington, A. K. (2021). Persuasion Theory in Action: An Open Educational Resource LibreTexts https://commons.libretexts.org/book/socialsci-179328.

Textbook:

Wahl, S. T., Morris, E. (2021). Persuasion in Your Life (3rd). Routledge.
Heinrichs, J. (2020). Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpsons Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion (4th). Crown.
Cialdini, R. B. (2021). Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion Harper Business.
Perloff, R. M. (2020). The Dynamics of Persuasion: Communication and Attitudes in the 21st Century (7th). Routledge.

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description: