P U B L I C S P E A K I N G
THA 15a Spring2015
Preliminary Syllabus, subject to change.
NOTE: You must attend from the first class.
Wed.: 2:00 – 4:50 p.m. Instructor: Marya Lowry
Office Hours: TBD and By Appointment Room: TBD
Email:
Goal
To expand the comfort zone in speaker/audience communication and to build competency in the use of rhetorical devices, organization of content, and communicating authentically and succinctly to affect the hearts and minds of an audience.
Outcomes
• To develop a workable knowledge of the voice and body to create more flexibility
• To match content and emotional purpose to voice body to promote congruency
• To examine different styles of verbal communication
• To understand how to synthesize content for succinct and articulate communication
• To employ personal stories with teachable points of view within a business setting
• To expand the ability to speak extemporaneously and work interactively with an audience
• To learn how to give appropriate feedback to peers (“identify & communicate strengths and areas for improvement”)
Session Outline
This class is thoroughly grounded in experiential learning. A vocal/physical regimen will underscore the work at all times, upon which you will build communication techniques. Through exercises utilizing both improvisation and prepared material, you will practice these techniques in class and small group rehearsal sessions. You will also develop your coaching skills and ability to give and receive verbal feedback. There will be a modest amount of research that will be incorporated into your performances. There is no text. The assignments and due dates outlined below will be further detailed in class via hand-outs.
Reflection Papers
You will submit 3 Reflection Papers 3-5 pages, answering the questions: What challenges am I finding in content of this class? What goals have I reached/successes experienced? What news questions arise from the assignments? What am I learning from the working styles of my cohort? Include other questions or concerns you may have regarding this course work and your process.
All written assignments will be typed, double-spaced, stapled, and submitted in class, on time (not emailed as attachments). The assignments and due dates are outlined below
Final Project
The final project will be a presentation given on the last day of class: 12/9/15.
Attendance
o Mandatory and on time
o One absence permitted, reason immaterial
o Each additional absences/tardiness will diminish grade by 1/2 letter point
Grading
Consists of three equal parts:
40% Flexibility / Creativity / Listening / Risk-taking / Collaboration / Growth
40% Assignments - Preparation / Execution / Timeliness / Growth
20% Final Project - Authenticity / Passion / Connection / Risk Taking
Note: Schedule subject to change! Details of assignments will be handed out in class. If you are unsure of what you need to prepare, please contact me.
May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more
-John O'Donohue
______
Notes from the University:
Four-Credit Course (with three hours of class-time per week)
Success in this 4 credit hour course is based on the expectation that students will spend a minimum of 9 hours of study time per week in preparation for class (readings, papers, discussion sections, preparation for exams, etc.).
If you are a student who needs academic accommodations because of a documented disability,please contact me and present your letter of accommodation as soon as possible.
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THA 15b Public Speaking MLowry Syllabus Fall 2015
THA 15b 4 Public Speaking Semester Progression Fall 2015
NOTE : the assignments will look very much like this with altered dates.
Most classes will begin on your feet with a physical /vocal warm-up. Your readiness for this is appreciated.
9/2 Introduction / Speaker Skills / ‘Life Is A Highway’ Exercise
Assignment: Memorize a quote that has meaning for you, 2-3 sentences in length, for work on 9/9
40-minute rehearsal session with partner in preparation
‘Fight-or-Flight’ paper due: 9/9
Brief Goals paper due: 9/9
9/9 Quotes Exercise
Assignment: Extemporaneous Speech from a bullet-point outline for 9/16
Heads up: Excerpt from Famous Speech for 9/30
Assignment: Rhetorical Devices paper due: 10/7
9/16 (Quotes Wrap-up) & ‘Extemporaneous Blast’
9/23 No class Session Yom Kipper
*9/30 Famous Speeches
Assignment: Class Presentations–Power Point (out–of-the-box) outline due 10/7
Handouts: PowerPointless Video, How to write strong opening and closing lines,
3 Simple Notes.
10/7 Written Speeches (RD paper due)
10/14 Written Speeches cont’d. (Begin PowerPoint Presentation?)
Assignment: The Speech You’ll Never Give (written) – due: 11/4
MID-SEMESTER MEETINGS; GOALS AND CONTRACTS
10/21 PowerPoint Presentations [out-of-the-box!]
(Pease be prepared with your own connection/adapter)
*10/28 (PP Wrap-up) & Stories with a Teachable Point-of-View
Assignment: Research Daniel Goleman EQ, for discussion on 11/11
Prepare either a job interview or ‘elevator’ speech for 11/11
11/4 Job Interviews Elevator Speeches [role-plays fishbowl]
Assignment: Identify ‘Open Session’ content for 11/18
11/11 Cont. Job Interviews Elevator Speeches
*11/18 Open Session for Customized Work
(Suggestions: an assignment you would like to improve upon, The Speech You’ll Never Give, A Tribute Speech)
11/25 No class-Thanksgiving
12/2 Open Session cont. and TBA
12/9 Final Presentations in class! Topic: ‘Your Personal Passion’
* Denotes Reflection Paper Submissions
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THA 15b Public Speaking MLowry Syllabus Fall 2015