Communication

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

• apply rhetorical theories to create and analyze public speeches in a variety of contexts including historical and/or contemporary. (CCN)
• formulate and implement effective research strategies to gather information and ideas from primary and secondary sources, evaluating them for credibility, accuracy, and relevancy. (CCN)
• employ sound reasoning and construct compelling arguments in support of a guiding thesis and organizational pattern appropriate for the audience, occasion, and purpose. (CCN)
• demonstrate rhetorical sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging and adhere to ethical communication practices which include truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason. (CCN)
• compose and deliver a variety of speeches, including Informative and Persuasive speeches, to a live audience (one to many) using effective delivery practices. (CCN)
• employ effective listening practices. (CCN)
• Employ effective verbal and nonverbal practices while producing messages extemporaneously.
• Apply rhetorical principles to analyze public discourse across a variety of contexts.

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

• analyze appeals using rhetorical strategies including Aristotelian proofs of ethos, logos, pathos.
• design informative and persuasive speeches using rhetorical strategies including the Ciceronian canons of rhetoric.
• employ effective verbal and nonverbal practices and suitable organizational patterns to produce responsible and ethical informative and persuasive speeches.
• evaluate the ways language produces influence in historical and contemporary public discourse.
• demonstrate rhetorical sensitivity and skills necessary for open and respectful communication of diverse ideas and beliefs.
• develop compelling arguments in support of a guiding thesis.
• listen critically to provide constructive criticism to peers.
• discover, critically examine, and use supporting materials from primary and secondary sources for credibility, accuracy, and relevance in speeches.

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

• critically evaluate reasoning and evidence.
• develop research questions for presentations.
• arrange and organize ideas.
• prioritize main points and distinguish these from subordinate ideas.
• support claims with logic and reasoning.
• identify fallacies of reasoning.
• debate convincingly with clarity and impact.

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

• evaluate and apply research methods and theories of interpersonal communication.
• analyze the ways that communication can create, develop and shape perceptions of personal and social identities including variables such as but not limited to culture, gender, ethnicity, race, age, and orientation.
• evaluate the influences of culture, gender, ethnicity, race, age, accessibility, and orientation on the development, maintenance, and dissolution of interpersonal relationships.
• critically assess and utilize ethical communication practices within interpersonal relationships as part of interpersonal communication competency.
• critically assess sources of conflict in interpersonal relationships and implement appropriate conflict management strategies.
• assess the role of individual variables in interpersonal communication including verbal and nonverbal symbols and signs.
• critically evaluate the impact of relational system variables including listening styles, emotions, self-disclosure, and communication climates.

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

• assess the major areas of cultural diversity and their impact on communication.
• analyze the effects of cultural variance on the selection and interpretation of verbal and nonverbal cues.
• formulate strategies for interacting successfully across intercultural communication barriers.
• distinguish between cultural practices and universal human communication behaviors.
• describe how culture affects perceptions, values, norms, and roles.
• resolve conflict arising from cultural differences.
• critically examine own cultural identities.

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

• operate as an effective member of small task-oriented groups.
• judge the benefits of group work.
• generate and persuasively express critical thought which contributes positively to group decision making.
• devise solutions by using structured problem-solving techniques.
• examine the benefits of conflict.
• assess the appropriateness of various conflict-management techniques.
• use effective conflict management techniques.
• choose productive approaches to leadership.
• examine the impact of group roles and norms.
• manage verbal and nonverbal behavior to increase communication effectiveness in the small group setting.
• prepare for, organize, and deliver presentations effectively within small group settings.
• discover, critically evaluate, and accurately report information.

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

• manage communication apprehension related to public speaking, interpersonal interaction, and group discussion.
• design and employ effective listening strategies.
• apply foundational rhetorical theories, including the canons of rhetoric and Aristotelian proofs, as well as relevant principles of human communication.
• develop, organize, and deliver various types of speeches (for example, speeches to inform, persuade, entertain, group) using effective public speaking strategies.
• outline and compose effective speeches based on purpose and appropriate subject matter, topic, thesis, and organizational patterns.
• examine the principles of human communication in order to communicate effectively in interpersonal, group, and public speaking contexts.
• employ strategies to demonstrate behaviors that contribute to respectful communication of diverse ideas.
• apply principles of interpersonal communication in multiple contexts.
• analyze the similarities and diversities among group members and develop skills to work together effectively.

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

• understand the theoretical foundations of creating and sharing knowledge in public speaking and mediated communication contexts.
• demonstrate active listening and effective feedback.
• manage issues related to communication apprehension.
• use appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication techniques when delivering public speeches.
• apply rhetorical principles to analyze historical and contemporary public discourse.
• exhibit productive behaviors as a member of a group.
• apply ethical communication practices as both senders and receivers.
• utilize mediated communication channels to enhance oral presentations.
• demonstrate rhetorical sensitivity fostering equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility for diverse audiences.
• construct compelling arguments to support a guiding thesis utilizing appropriate sources.
• listen critically to provide constructive feedback to peers.
• compose and deliver a variety of speeches including informative and persuasive speeches to a live audience (one to many) using effective delivery techniques.