Course Description

This introductory course offers students the foundational knowledge, tools, and confidence necessary to elevate their voices within a democratic society. Students are coached on how to organize, develop, and deliver informative and persuasive speeches in an inclusive environment. Students are encouraged to discover and develop diverse ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, outlining, composition, and presentation. Students have the opportunity to practice and refine the concepts presented in the course through a variety of well-prepared speeches delivered to a live audience using effective delivery techniques and in the public speaking mode. Students are invited to explore theories and techniques of ethical public speaking, apply rhetorical principles, critically evaluate the speeches of others, and apply this knowledge to their personal and professional lives. Honors Public Speaking uses the pedagogical methods common to all Honors courses: interdisciplinary, writing-intensive, collaborative, and experiential instruction. Course content makes connection through a common theme with other courses offered within the specified transdisciplinary unit.