Spring 2020/Fuller Online

CO510

Ruelas

CO510: SPEECH AND THOUGHT (4 Units: 160 hours). Abraham Antonio Ruelas.

DESCRIPTION: This course explores the interrelationship between speech and thought in the context of public speaking skill development. It provides students with resources and opportunities that will enhance their abilities to think through and craft, well-structured speeches. Through weekly self-evaluation, and peer and instructor critique, students improve their public speaking skills and become more effective in ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate the following: (1) integration of critical habits of mind In the planning and delivery of speeches, in reflecting on the effectiveness of those communication events, and providing feedback to their classmates; (2) an ability to frame content coherently for a number of public speaking settings; (3) an improvement in their delivery skills; and (4) a competence in communication, that is theologically and pastorally appropriate, including oral delivery and critical evaluation of self and others.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES:

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 800 pp. required

O'Hair, Dan, Rubenstein, Hannah and Rob Steward. A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking, 5th Edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015. ISBN: 978-1457670404, Pub. Price $54.75. [300 pp.]

Monarth, Harrison and Larina Kase. The Confident Speaker: Beat Your Nerves and Communicate at Your Best In Any Situation. McGraw-Hill, 2007. ISBN: 978-0071481496, Pub. Price $20.00. [300 pp.]

Childers, Jana (Ed.). Birthing a Sermon: Women Preachers and the Creative Process. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press. 2001. ISBN: 978-0827202306, Pub. Price $29.99. [approximately 100 pp. assigned]

Ellis, Catherine and Stephen Drury Smith (Ed.). Say It Plain: A Century of Great African American Speeches. New York: The New Press. 2007. ISBN: 978-1595581266, Pub. Price $17.95.[approximately 100 pp. assigned]

RECOMMENDED READING:

Rothwell, J. D. In Mixed Company: Communicating in Small Groups and Teams, 8th ed. Cengage Learning, 2012. ISBN: 978-1111346850 [528 pp.]

Schmit, Clayton. J. Public Reading of Scripture: A Handbook. Abingdon Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0687045372 [116 pp.]

Zak-Dance, Carol & Frank E.X. Dance. Public Speaking: Finding Your Voice & Speaking Your Mind. Fountainhead Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1598711417. [284 pp.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 800 pages of required reading (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2] [50 hours].
  2. 250-word forum posts (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 4.] [15 hours].
  3. 200-word speech critiques (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome 4.] [10 hours].
  4. Deliver and record five two-minute speeches on assigned topics; one five-minute Bible lesson for 10-year-olds; two five-minutes speeches: an informative speech and an instructive speech; a five-minute Commencement Address (high school, college, or seminary). (40%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 2, 3, 4]. [60 Hours].
  5. Signature Assignment (10%).

Part One: Prepare and deliver a 7-minute technology assisted persuasive speech.

Part Two: Complete a rubric-based self-assessment of the speech and use the same rubric to assess the persuasive speech of one classmate.

Part Three: Write a 500-word assessment that reflects theologically and pastorally on the crafting and the delivery of the speech. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 4.] [15 Hours].

  1. A Reflective Essay, titled, “Woven Tapestry of the Experts.” In this paper, students will summarize what they have learned through the course, utilizing the readings as a litmus test for self- and peer-assessment, and discuss how the learning experiences in the course have impacted their development in public speaking [1500 words] (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 4.] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: Students must be able to gather a listening group of at least 5 people for the signature assignment.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Worship, Preaching, and Communication requirement in the 80 MATM Program (Fall 2015). This course meets the Communication requirement (COMM) in MA programs and meets the four-unit requirement for CO500 and CO503 in any applicable pre-2007 MA program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.