Emmanuel Bible College SYLLABUS GL132AA Oral Communications Winter, 2012. Instructor: Dr. Das Sydney Contact Information 519-745-9461 dsydney@emmanuelbiblecollege.on.ca Flexible office hours Available to meet with students on appointment MISSION STATEMENT Emmanuel Bible College provides Bible-based post-secondary education equipping women and men to think, live, serve and lead as mature Christians in the Church and in the world. PURPOSE OF THE COURSE The purpose of this course is to help students understand key principles and dynamics of communication and offer students perspectives and skills to put together an outstanding speech. To this end, students will be involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of speeches in a variety of different contexts. It is primarily a practical course, supported by findings in current research. This course should give the student greater confidence and poise when called upon to deliver a speech. COURSE TEXTBOOK Liftin, Duane. Public Speaking: A hand book for Christians. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005. Recommended for further reading: Schultze, Quentin. An Essential Guide to Public Speaking: Serving your Audience with Faith, Skill and Virtue. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006. OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE Cognitive Skills (Knowledge) Understand the basics of communication theory Know how to plan and prepare a speech
Know the different types of technology that can be used to enhance communication Know where to find good supporting material for a speech Know how to analyze an audience so that a speech is well received Affective Skills (Attitudes) Be able to employ strategies to help reduce anxiety Be able to speak with confidence at special occasions Be able to apply good speech principles for an effective biblical/spiritual life presentation Psychomotor (Skills) Be able to prepare and deliver a speech Be able to speak with confidence at special occasions such as weddings, funerals, introductions, with special attention to the use of one s posture, voice, eyes, face and hands Be able chose the best type of speaking style to suit the occasion, whether to inform, persuade or entertain Be able to effectively use presentation aids Be aware of non-verbal cues COURSE OUTLINE January 10 The basic elements in the communication process Skills and competencies needed for successful speechmaking Reading effectively Overcoming speech fright Guidelines for introducing a speaker January 17 Presentation of class introductions Guidelines for effective listening How to evaluate a speech Determining the purpose of the speech Analyzing the audience and occasion January 24 Analyzing the audience demographically, psychologically Finding supporting material Speech preparation: Making an outline
January 31 Presentation of autobiographies and spiritual journey Requirements of a good outline Organizing your information Written assignment #1 is due February 7 Presentation of autobiographies and spiritual journey Guidelines for introductions and conclusions for a speech How to present Jesus Christ - to a hostile audience - to a friendly audience - to a neutral audience February 14 Speaking to persuade The psychology of persuasion Establishing your credibility Ways to organize a persuasive message Written assignment #2 due on February 17 Reading Week February 20-24 February 28 Delivering the speech Selecting the method of presentation memorized, read, impromptu, extemporaneous Guidelines when each may be appropriate Effective non-verbal delivery March 6 Illustrating the speech Sources of illustrations Using power-point, learning how to use the tool, developing the slides and guidelines when using them in a talk Written assignment #3 due in electronic form. Include name of peer reviewer. March 13 Speaking to inform Types of informative speeches Essential features of informative speeches
March 20 Speeches for special occasions The thank you speech Presenting an award Acceptance of a gift or award Eulogy or funeral tribute Wedding speeches After dinner speech March 27 Words and their power; ways to improve your vocabulary Language essentials: accuracy, simplicity, appropriateness and more April 3 The sermon as a form of persuasive speaking Oral Presentations COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING Assignments must be handed in at the beginning of class time on the date specified. They are to be handed in as hard copies and electronically. Written assignments will receive a penalty of 20% a week until they are handed in. Oral presentations, if missed, stand the chance of not getting a grade for the assignment. Written Assignments: (50%) Please provide the instructor with both a hard copy and an e-copy. 1. Write a summary (no more than 500 words) of chapter 9, How to Deliver Your Speech, in your textbook by Litfin. Reflect on which areas of delivery are most difficult for you. Determine a course of action that you will follow to strengthen or improve those areas of weakness. (20%) This assignment is due on January 24. 2. Develop an outline for a persuasive speech of your choice. Write out the introduction and conclusion in full. (15%) Due February 17. 3. Submit two introductions you would use, as part of a speech in which you are to speak about Jesus Christ. Write introductions for two different contexts. - to a hostile/neutral audience - to a friendly audience Each introduction is to be reviewed by a peer in class on March 6. Each introduction is to be no longer than a page, ie. 250 words. (15%) This assignment is due in electronic form on March 10.
Oral Presentations: (50%). 1. Using the guidelines from the first lecture, in a 3 minute time period, introduce one of your classmates. (10%) 2. Take about 15 minutes for an autobiographical presentation about your life, giving special attention to your spiritual journey. (20%) 3. Offer a persuasive speech in class of about 15-20 minutes on a moral/social/ethical issue of concern to you. (20%) 4. Dates for these oral presentations will be spread out throughout the duration of the course during class time. Students will be able to negotiate the date for their presentations in consultation with other students and the instructor. Both an e-copy and a hard copy are required for the instructor on the day of the presentation. You are encouraged to use presentation aids in your delivery. A component of the grade will reflect your attentiveness and participation in class. BIBLIOGRAPHY Barnard, Sandie, Rise Up: A New Guide to Public Speaking (Scarborough, ON: Prentice Hall, 1993). Robert S. Fortner, Communication, Media, and Identity: A Christian Theory of Communication (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2006). Gangel, Kenneth O., and Samuel L. Canine, Communication and Conflict Management in Churches and Christian Organizations (Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman Press, 1992). German, Kathleen M. et al., Principles of Public Speaking. Boston (Allyn & Bacon, 2009). Ralph L. Lewis, Gregg Lewis, Inductive Preaching: Helping People Listen (Westchester, Ill: Crossway Books, 1983). Quentin Schultze, An Essential Guide to Public Speaking (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006). Quentin Schultze, Communicating for Life (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2000). Bill Strom, More Than Talk: Communication Studies and Christian Faith (Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2 nd edition, 2003).