| CODE | DST5117 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Public Speaking | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Diplomatic Studies | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Using communicative strategies, the Public Speaking study-unit includes both lectures and tutor-led seminars and is specifically designed for students following diplomatic studies. It introduces and assesses contemporary theories relating to effective public speaking. It examines the main categories of critical thinking skills required for researching and delivering speeches, with particular reference to aspects relating to credibility, information gathering, determining verifiability, shaping the speech, evaluating your audience, negotiating, and fielding questions. This study-unit also includes a practical component, where students are taken through the process of preparing a speech, seeing communication as action, bearing in mind the audience, determining purpose, speaking ethically, and building confidence. They are also instructed about what to do and what to avoid in PowerPoint presentations. Students also deliver short rehearsed speeches, short impromptu speeches, field questions from the (class) audience, as well as participate in debates as members of a team arguing for or against a given claim or statement. They also prepare team video presentations on topics of current interest, which are assessed as part of the final score for this component. Study-Unit Aims: The study-unit aims to: - improve students’ ability to follow a speech and recognize logical relationships in arguments; - equip students with the skill of interpreting the function of spoken discourse; - provide students with the skills to research, construct, and present spoken presentations (prepared and unprepared) on matters relating to diplomacy and international affairs; - enable students to participate in discussions, arguing coherently; - provide students with the opportunity to defend and/or rebut an argument; - develop students’ skills in negotiating a consensus; - give students the opportunity to field questions. Learning Outcomes: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • enhance listening skills by - following a speech (and possibly taking down notes) - deducing meaning and inferring opinion and attitude - interpreting function of spoken discourse and • improve speaking skills by - speaking with a degree of fluency using correct pronunciation, stress and intonation - arguing for and defending a point of view - articulating a contrasting point of view - participating in discussions - delivering speeches (prepared and unprepared) - delivering presentations - negotiating for a consensus. Main Texts and Supplementary Readings: Main Texts - Grice, G., Mansson, D.H., & Skinner, J. (2021). Mastering Public Speaking (10th ed.). Pearson. - Genard, G. (2016). How to Give a Speech: Easy-to-learn Skills for Successful Presentations, Speeches, Pitches, Lectures, and More. Cedar & Maitland Press. Supplementary readings - Beebe, S.A., & Beebe, S.J. (2015). A Concise Public Speaking Handbook (4th ed.). Pearson. - Fisher, R., Ury, W., & Patton, B. (2011). Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in. Penguin. - Lucas, S. (2019). The Art of Public Speaking (13th International Edition). McGraw Hill Education. - Monroe, S. (1951). The principles of speech. Scott Foresman. - Shannon, C., & Weaver, W. (1948). A mathematical theory of communication. Bell System Technical Journal, 27(3), 379-423. - Toulmin, S. (1958). The uses of argument. Cambridge University Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Arthur Bezzina |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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