CS209 Honors Public Speaking
Department of Communication Studies
Role and Mission Statement
The role and mission of the faculty and students of the Department of Communication Studies
are to examine human symbolic activity as it shapes and is shaped by relationships, institutions,
and societies. This work concerns the creation, analysis, and critique of messages. The
department’s research, teaching and service devote particular attention to understanding the ways
in which communication erodes and sustains collaboration within and among local, national, and
global communities.
Course Description
This service-learning section of 209H is organized around the topic of Homelessness and Poverty
in Our Community. During the course of the semester, you will volunteer for at least 25 hours at
the St. Vincent DePaul Store and Warehouse or another agency of your choice. Most of the
assignments and class presentations will relate to your volunteerism and will incorporate civic
engagement.
A fundamental assumption of this course is that the aim of a liberal education is to prepare students
to engage in civic, professional, intellectual, and commercial pursuits ethically and effectively.
Doing so requires the ability to communicate significant ideas to audiences as well as to evaluate
ideas that are presented by others—to be, in other words, a proficient, capable producer and
consumer of communication. Accordingly, this course focuses on understanding and adapting to
the needs of audiences, the critical analysis of ideas, carrying out research and gathering and
evaluating evidence, organizing material, and clearly presenting ideas orally.
Speaking assignments will ask each of you to assume the role of “voices for the voiceless.” For
example, by giving a community action team presentation, you and your fellow group members
will explore some of the factors that contribute to poverty in the Lincoln community. You will also
give a speech of tribute in which you honor an individual, community, or program that has had a
significant impact on homelessness and poverty anywhere in the world. In addition, you will
present a speech of advocacy in which you focus on homelessness/poverty at the state, national, or
international level and advance solutions that engage the audience and inspire them to act. You will
also complete several written assignments, including speech outlines, a speaking self-critique, and
an advocacy project. In addition to the speaking assignments outlined above, you will also make a
presentation of your choice (on a day of your choice) and present occasional impromptu speeches.
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Course Requirements
1.
2.
Attend class meetings regularly and participate actively in class discussions.
Volunteer for at least 25 hours during the semester at the St. Vincent DePaul Store and
Warehouse or another agency of your choice approved by instructor.
3. Complete assigned readings and come to class prepared to discuss them.
4. Prepare and give speeches on the day assigned and within the time limits of the assignment.
Details of each speaking assignment will be presented later.
5. Plan and deliver a presentation of your own choosing (could be a dry-run for a presentation
you must give elsewhere, an informative presentation of an article assigned for class, a
cultural speech, a speech to demonstrate your knowledge about an area that could be of
interest to the class, or a brief speech about another community problem that interests you).
Presentation times may vary—and you may speak, with advance notice, on a day
convenient to you.
6. Listen attentively and responsively to other students' speeches, offering feedback and
raising relevant questions during forum periods.
7. Devise and execute an advocacy project (such as a letter to the editor, letter to a state
representative, public service announcement, advocacy brochure, etc.). This may be done
individually, or as a group.
8. Write a speaking self-critique.
9. Take short exams based on assigned reading.
10. Maintain an informal journal—to reflect on/process your experiences volunteering
Attendance
You are expected to attend class every day. There are occasions, however, when it is necessary to
miss class, so two absences are permitted. Absences in excess of two will affect your grade
negatively. If you have some special emergency--a medical or personal problem--discuss this with
me. Perfect attendance will affect your grade positively.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the
instructor for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodation. It
is the policy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to provide flexible and individualized
accommodation to students with documented disabilities that may affect their ability to fully
participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. To receive accommodation
services, students must be registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities office, 132
Canfield Administration, 472-3787 voice or STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with
disabilities are encouraged to contact the instructor for a confidential discussion of their
individual needs for academic accommodation. It is the policy of the University of NebraskaLincoln to provide flexible and individualized accommodation to students with documented
disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in course activities or to meet course
requirements. To receive accommodation services, students must be registered with the Services
for Students with Disabilities office, 132 Canfield Administration, 472-3787 voice or TTY.
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Required Readings and Resources
Andrews, Patricia Hayes, Andrews, James R., and Williams Glen, Public Speaking: Connecting
You and Your Audience, Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
CS209H Course Packet--available in the Communication Studies Main Office.
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Grading Procedures:
Speech of Introduction
Speech of Tribute
Community Action Group Presentation
Advocacy Project
Presentation of Choice
Advocacy Speech
Short Exams
Speaking Self-critique
Engaged Participation
05%
15%
15%
05%
10%
20%
15%
10%
05% *
100%
*The participation grade will reflect my assessment of the quality of your in-class contributions,
performance of the chair's duties on speaking days, responsible participation as a peer critic,
thoughtful reflection on your volunteering, and on attendance.)
Special Instructions on Speaking Assignments
1. All speeches (with the exception of the speech of introduction) require an outline and
bibliography.
2. Prepare a manila folder with your name on the tab. Place your outline in this folder and give it
to the Chair for the day at the beginning of class on the day you are scheduled to speak. The
Chair will put them in the order of speaking and give them to Professor Lee.
3. Arrive in class early on the day you are to speak so that the Chair can collect the folders. The
first speaker should be introduced and ready to speak at 11:00AM.
4. Speakers and Chairs are responsible for communicating about each speech before the day
speeches are scheduled. Chairs must have sufficient time and information to be prepared to
introduce each speaker.
5. Timing is very important. Be sure that you have practiced your speech orally enough times so
that you are sure that your speech will fit in the time allotted.
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Course Outline
08/26: Topics: Course Requirements, Goals, and Procedures; Service Learning and Civic
Engagement; Introduce the First Speaking Assignment (the Speech of Introduction).
Assignment: Some time will be allotted during class to talk with the classmate you will
introduce on 08/30.
08/28: Topics: Understanding and Managing Communication Apprehension; Listening
Effectively. Additional prep. time with your partner.
Assignment: Read Chapters 1, 2, and 3 in Andrews, Andrews, & Williams (AA&W).
09/02: Topic: Speeches of Introduction
Assignment: Come to class prepared to introduce a classmate. The speech should last
about 2-5 minutes. Be sure that you have practiced the speech out loud enough times so
that you adhere to this limit.
09/04 Topic: Communication Models
09/09: Topics: Advocacy, Public Communication, and Civic Engagement.
Assignment: Read article by Putnam. Come prepared to react to the questions posed in
the discussion guide in terms of your own thinking and experiences.
09/11: Topic: Consider poverty in the United States in terms of the readings, as well as our own
perceptions and experiences.
Assignment: Read the article by Asen. Class will be devoted to a discussion of these
works.
09/16: Topics: Choosing and Focusing a Topic; Establishing Credibility.
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapter 6. Come to class with a list of possible topics you
might be interested in speaking about for your Speech of Tribute. Consider how you will
relate the various topics to the audience and establish your credibility.
09/18: Topics: Ceremonial Speaking and the Rhetorical Situation.
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapter 17. Think about and prepare to discuss the kinds of
ceremonial speeches you have given or have heard in the past. We will devote some time
to exploring questions you have about the components of the rhetorical situation.
09/23: Topics: Understanding and Adapting to Audiences; Preparing for the Speech of Tribute.
Impromptu Speeches delivered during class.
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapters 4 and 5. Reread p. 21 in Chapter 1.
09/25: Short Exam #1, covering Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 17 in AA&W and other assigned
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readings.
09/30: Topics: Speech Purposes, Conducting Research, and Using and Citing Evidence.
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapters 7, 8, and 9. Come to class prepared to share
tentative thesis statements and specific purposes based on the topics you have previously
generated.
HERE ARE TWO VERY HELPFUL ONLINE RESEARCH TUTORIALS:
www.indiana.edu/~libinstr/Tutorial/Database/database1.htm
www.indiana.edu/~libinstr/Guides/EBSCO.htm
10/02: Topic: Organization and Outlining. In-Class Outlining Workshop.
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapters 10 and 14. Prepare an outline draft for your speech
of tribute and bring the draft to class. As you prepare your outline, refer to the formal
outline on pp. 237-239 of your text.
10/07: Topics: Delivering the Speech Effectively; the Audience’s Perspective—Rhetorical
Criticism.
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapter 11. Continue working on the speech of tribute-refining the outline, developing the bibliography, and practicing the speech aloud.
10/09: Topic: Speeches of Tribute
Assignment: Give your outline (in a folder) to the chair for the day at the beginning of
the class, before the speeches begin. Your speech should be 7-8 minutes long and
delivered extemporaneously. Each speaker will respond to questions following his/her
presentation.
10/14: Topic: Speeches of Tribute
Assignment: See instructions from 10/09 above.
10/16 Topic: Discussion of Community Action Group Projects
10/21: Fall Break
10/23: Short Exam #2, covering Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, and other assigned readings.
Topic: Following the exam, groups will have some time to work together.
10/28: Topic: Working in Teams: Implications for Group Presentations; Using
Presentational/Visual Aids.
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapters 13 and 18, pp. 443-457. Come to class prepared to
describe the advantages and disadvantages of working with others on group projects. We
will also discuss presentational aid options for the final two presentations. Some time in-
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class for group work.
10/30: Topic: Using Language Effectively.
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapter 12.
11//04: Individual Group Meetings with Dr. Lee. Conferences will be held in Dr. Lee’s office,
441 Oldfather Hall from 11 until 1:00. Each group will discuss their basic organizational
strategy, division of responsibility, use of presentational aids, and other considerations.
No General Class Meeting.
11/06: Topic: Community Action Group Project Presentations
Assignment: One team will present their symposium presentations. Turn in your outlines
to the chair for the day at the beginning of class. You may choose to submit a group
outline. Each team will have 45 minutes to present their symposium. A forum period of
questions will follow the presentation.
11/11: Topic: Community Action Group Project Presentations
Assignment: See 11/04—we will follow the same procedures.
11/13: Topic: Persuasive Speaking
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapter 15. After briefly processing the team presentations,
we will look at persuasive speeches and discuss their effectiveness, considering such
matters as purpose, organizational strategies, listeners’ needs, and emotional appeals. We
will also discuss ethical issues in persuasion, with reference to our own ethical
perspectives.
11/18: Topic: Making Sound and Persuasive Arguments; Avoiding Fallacies. Impromptu
Speeches Delivered during Class.
Assignment: Read AA&W, Chapter 16. Be prepared to discuss the characteristics of a
good argument and to compare and contrast different approaches to arguing about the
same topic Advocacy Projects Due by No Later Than Today.
11/20: Short Exam #3, covering AA&W, Chapters 12, 13, 15, 16, and 18 and other assigned
readings.
11/25: Optional Practice Sessions for Speeches of Advocacy. Practice sessions will be held
from 11 until 1:00—with other times slotted, as needed. No General Class Meeting.
12/02: Topic: Speeches of Advocacy
Assignment: Students will present their persuasive speeches. As in the past, give your
folder (with accompanying outline) to the chair of the day at the beginning of the class.
This speech should be 10-12 minutes long, to be followed by a forum period.
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12/04: Topic: Speeches of Advocacy
Assignment: See 12/01.
12/09: Topic: Speeches of Advocacy Concluded
Assignment: Same as above. Following this final presentation, we will complete the
course evaluation.
12/11: Assignment: Speaking Self-Critiques are Due. Place your self-critiques in Dr. Lee’s
mailbox in 433 Oldfather Hall by no later than noon. In addition, Final Time Logs and
Journals Are Due. There is no final exam in CS209H.