Download Communication Studies 452 Topics in Public Communication

Approved by University Studies Sub-Committee March 23rd. A2C2 action pending
Approved by Faculty Senate April 4, 2005
University Studies Course Approval
Department or Program:
Course Number:
Course Title:
Catalog Description:
CMST
452
Topics in Public Communication
This is an existing course that has previously been approved by A2C2: Yes.
Department Contact Person for this course: Dr. Ted Reilly 457-5238
Email: [email protected]
The proposed course is designed to satisfy the requirements in: Oral Flag
Catalog Description: An in-depth study of of topics of concern in rhetoric and public
address. Topics vary. Prerequisite: CMST 191 and CMST 283 or permission of
instructor for non-majors. May be repeated with different topics. Offered yearly.
This course includes requirements and learning activities that promote students'
abilities to...
a. Earn significant course credit through extemporaneous oral presentations; Thirty
percent of the course final grade is derived from grades on oral presentations. This
includes one 8 minute speech, one 10-12 minute speech, and one extended presentation
(approximately thirty minutes). (Note: these times may vary from instructor to
instructor). Requirements for the speeches will at a minimum meet the basic core
requirements of what is expected in the university studies basic skills public speaking
class. The 30 minute presentation is conceived of as a teaching presentation which will
synthesize research on a narrow topic and present it to the class. It is intended to be
delivered extemporaneously.
b. Understand the features and types of speaking in their disciplines; Public speaking
has been a foundation of the communication discipline for over 2000 years. As in the
polis, students today are provided instruction for public address in ways that advance
their individual interests as well as enhance community well- being. Students will be
exposed to various types of deliveries such as impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript
and memorization. Students will be graded only on extemporaneous speaking projects.
As this is a 400 level course in the communication studies major, it is not likely that
students outside of the major or minor will be in the class. The majority of students will
have had detailed instruction in public speaking, debate, group communication and group
presentation contexts, as well as have a background in the history and theory of rhetoric.
Although the basic skills course in public speaking should be adequate preparation for
speaking in this class, non-majors who do take the class will be offered and
accommodated with any needed instruction they or the instructor feels necessary to
complete the assignments in this class.
c. Adapt their speaking to field-specific audiences; Students learn techniques in
audience analysis and adapt their speeches appropriately to communication studies
audiences. Topics will be dictated by research and subject matter covered in the course.
Therefore, students will gain experience honing their skills on audience adaptation.
d. Receive appropriate feedback from teachers and peers, including suggestions for
improvement; All speeches are graded individually and student progress is made evident
through written critiques, oral feedback, and peer review. Each student shall receive
written evaluations back from the professor and the student’s peers for each speech.
Peer commentary is required for and from every student. Peer feedback, however, does
not factor into the grade assigned to a student’s presentation. This will give students
experience in evaluating speeches, providing helpful, but not hurtful criticism, and the
benefit of receiving multiple viewpoints on their presentational content, structure and
delivery.
e. Make use of the technologies used for research and speaking in the fields; Students
are encouraged to enhance speaking effectiveness through the use of technology and
visual aids. Some examples are power point, overhead projectors, TV/VCR and media
visual aids. Although no specific assignments requires the use of a visual aid or a given
technology, presentation technologies such as over head projectors, ceiling- mount LCD
projector, ELMO projects, DVD and VCR decks, and audio systems are available in the
room. Students will receive instruction at the start of the semester in their use, and will
also receive feedback about their use on evaluation forms as appropriate.
For the purpose of research, the course will include a unit on library research, taught
minimally by the professor, taught optimally by library staff. This includes not only the
use of the latest library databases, but also those databases made available through the
National Communication Association for its membership.
f. Learn the conventions of evidence, format, usage, and documentation in their
fields. Students present claims and evidence in traditional inductive, deductive and
narrative forms. Students are instructed as to the proper citation formats (normally, APA
and MLA). Emphasis is also put on standard forms of outline and proper structure of
presentations. All work submitted for a grade in the course must conform to an accepted
style sheet.
SAMPLE SYLLABUS
CMST 452: Topics in Public Communication:
Political Rhetoric
Dr. Ted Reilly |Hours: MWF: 9:30- 12; 1-2|& by appt.
Office: 242, PAC | 457-5238 | [email protected]
Texts:
Campbell, K.K. and Jamieson (1990). Deeds done in words: Presidential
rhetoric and the genres of governance. Chicago: U. of Chicago Press.
Hahn, D. F. (2003). Political communication: Rhetoric, government, citizens.
State College, PA: Strata Publishing.
Trent, J.S. Friedenberg, R. V. (1995) Political campaign communication:
Principles and practices, 3d ed. New York: Praeger, 1995.
* Reserve readings will be used weekly, usually in the form of journal
articles. These readings will be posted regularly on the course blackboard
site and will be on reserve at the library or distributed in class.
Course Description:
This purpose of this course is to provide the theoretical and historical
background necessary to evaluate and analyze contemporary political
messages. We will cover four areas of political communication (and we will
not cover others).
1. The theory/background/research into political discourse. This will provide
a foundation for application to three more specific areas of political
communication.
2. Campaign rhetoric and communication
3. Presidential rhetoric
4. Social movement/Outgroup rhetoric
This is a University Studies Course. It satisfies the oral flag requirement.
As such a course must include requirements and learning activities that
promote students' abilities to...
a. earn significant course credit through extemporaneous oral presentations;
b. understand the features and types of speaking in their disciplines;
c. adapt their speaking to field-specific audiences;
d. receive appropriate feedback from teachers and peers, including suggestions for
improvement;
e. make use of the technologies used for research and speaking in the fields; and
f. learn the conventions of evidence, format, usage, and documentation in their
fields.
Late Policy: Late work will be reduced up to 20% for each period late. Make
it a priority to deliver your work on time.
Attendance: 2 “free” absences for whatever reason. Thereafter, 15 pts
apiece deducted from final grade. I do not keep track of excuses, and I do
not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.
Academic Integrity: All work presented in this class should be no less than
100 percent your own. All violations are handled through University Judicial
System.
Writing/Speaking considerations: All work turned in for a grade (papers,
outlines, evaluations) are to be cleanly typed according to MLA or APA
guidelines. Keep papers and speeches free from profanity, racism, sexism,
etc. Be civil.
Grade Calculation: Grades are computed on a standard scale (95= middle A;
85=B; 75=C; 65=D). Plus/minus are assigned to individual projects (plus
grades= 68, 78, 88; minus grades= 72, 82, 92) not to final grade. Your grade
is always available to you. You can also keep track with the chart below.
Project
Points
Value
Your Score
Midterm
20%
200
Final Exam
20%
200
Paper/Project
20%
200
Annotated Bib
10%
100
Speech #1-ism
5%
50
Speech #2-iss.
10%
100
Speech #3- sem
15 %
150
Total
100%
1000
* This is a political election year, which lends itself to exciting opportunities
to discuss the events going on nationally in the classroom. Please take
advantage of this, and prepare for class by keeping abreast of the national
and local news, as well as course reading material.
* It is a small class. Come prepared to talk. This class will not be one to
just sit back and take notes while others do the work.
* I intend to use blackboard for posting course materials such as
assignments, useful and/or interesting web sites, course schedule, etc.
* Below is the schedule we will start with (with the best of intentions).
Revisions (every few weeks) will be posted on blackboard.
Tentative Course Schedule Fall, 2004
Date
MAug30
WSEP1
F3
W8
F10
M13
W15
F17
M20
W22
F24
M27
Topic/Activity
Course Introduction
The Jeremiad in American Political discourse
Film: G. Bush’s 2004 Nomination Acceptance
Bush, Cont’d; Bitzer
Bitzer, cont’d; ideology and Communication
Definition in communication
Form in communication
Speech #1: Political Ideology
Speech #1 Political ideology
Speech #1 Political ideology
Political debates (film)
Presidential Debates (film)
W29
OCT F1
M4
W6
F8
M11
W13
F15
(first Pres. Debate Thursday night, Sept 30
Myths and Metaphors
Myth/Metaphor, cont’d (VP debate October 5)
Speech #2: Campaign issues
Speech #2 Campaign issues
Speech #2 Campaign issues
Speech #2 Campaign issues
Fall Break Day- No Classes
Reading/preparation
RR: Ritter “American political…
…rhetoric and jeremiad trad”
RR: Bitzer “Rhetorical Situation”
Hahn, Chs 1 and 2
Hahn Ch. 4
Hahn Ch. 5
USP A,B,C,D,E,F
USP A,B,C,D,E,F
USP A,B,C,D,E,F
RR: Benoit “Meta analysis of
Presidential debate research”
USP A,B,C,D,E,F
(2nd Pres. Debate) USP A,B,C,D,E,F
USP A,B,C,D,E,F
(3 Pres. Debate) USP A,B,C,D,E,F
rd
M18
W20
F22
M25
W27
F29
NOVM1
W3
F5
M8
W10
F12
M15
W17
F19
M22
M29
DECW1
F3
M6
W8
F10
Review for Exam; Discuss Debates
Exam #1 (midterm)
Presidential genres: War rhetoric
Presidential genres: Veto messages
Presidential genres: Impeachment rhetoric
Presidential genres: Impeachment rhetoric
News analysis and discussion
(Election Hangover): concession speeches
Social Movements
Social Movements
Social Movements: Nonviolence and violence
Veterans Day – No Class
Political violence and terror
Rhetoric and Terrorism
Rhetoric and terrorism
Seminar Presentations
Seminar Presentations
Seminar Presentations
Seminar Presentations
Seminar Presentations
Seminar Presentations
Wrap up, end up.
Jaimeson chs 1-3
Jaimeson, chs 4-6
Jamieson- chs- remainder
(Eve of Election):
Whose??????????
RR: Simons “Problems, strategies….”
RR: Windt “Diatribe as discourse….”
RR: Griffin
RR: F. Beers on War Metaphors
Paper Draft due
USP
USP
USP
USP
USP
Final Paper due
A,B,C,D,E,F
A,B,C,D,E,F
A,B,C,D,E,F
A,B,C,D,E,F
A,B,C,D,E,F