Admission requirements
A pass for Language Acquisition 1: The Spoken Word or a similar pronunciation course at first-year level.
Description
Speaking in public is not a skill that comes naturally to most people. Language Acquisition 4: Public Speaking in Practice and Theory focuses on public speaking – it will teach you how to give effective, i.e. persuasive presentations on topics in your field – in English. To this end, you are introduced to classical rhetoric (the discovery, structuring, presentation and assessment of arguments) as well as modern theories on argumentation and public speaking. You practice presentation skills in short presentations. Furthermore, you analyze presentations by others (including your fellow students) and learn how to give constructive feedback. Finally, you learn how to assess recordings of your own presentations through your audience’s eyes.
Course objectives
Hands-on experience of giving a short oral presentation in English;
Introductory knowledge of classical and modern theories on rhetoric, argumentation and public speaking; and
The ability to apply this knowledge to one’s own written and oral presentations and to the analysis of other people’s presentations.
Timetable
Visit MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
One 45-minute lecture until Reading Week. The evening students follow these lectures online (weblectures)
One 45-minute seminar per week
Research
Assessment method
Assessment
Written examination with closed questions and short-answer questions in the Reading Week
Presentations
Weighing
Written examination with closed questions and short-answer questions: 50%;
Presentations: 50%.
Attendance is compulsory. Missing more than two tutorials means that students will be excluded from the tutorials. Unauthorized absence also applies to being unprepared, not participating and/or not bringing the relevant course materials to class.
Resit
A minimum mark of 6 for the presentation is required to pass the course. If the final grade is 5 or less students may resit the insufficent written examination.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Leith, S. (2019). You talkin’ to me? Rhetoric from Aristotle to Trump and beyond. London: Profile.
Public speaking in theory and practice: Texts and assignments Reader on Brightspace
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Students other than from the BA English language and culture cannot take this course.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
Please contact Student administration Arsenaal or the coordinator of studies for questions.
Remarks
Disclaimer: Please note that the course descriptions, in particular the assessment method, might be adjusted (timely) depending on the measures taken regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.