BMP 2500 Rhetoric, Communication and Management
BMP 2500 Rhetoric, Communication and Management
| Course code | Semester |
|---|---|
BMP 2501 | 2022 Autumn |
BMP 2502 | 2023 Spring |
Rhetoric is the art of persuasion, the art of making people think, feel and act. Rhetoric means making an impact through speech and writing, through language and action. Rhetoric is the essence of leading people; good rhetoric is crucial to a good leader. This program gives you a comprehensive view of how rhetorical theory and practice can build leadership credibility.
Some world top leaders have also been brilliant rhetoricians. Is there more to it than simply using fancy words? You learn about the leader’s ability to communicate meaning: using solid argumentation to persuade your audience, logos; using values and virtues to build your credibility, ethos; using emotions, narratives and ornate language to ensure engagement and build common identity, pathos.
Rhetoric is central to communication and leadership. Theoretical models are used and practiced through common sharing and support in order to impact on:
- Your role as a leader: your ability to communicate your wisdom and competence, your virtues and goodwill, to understand your readers and your audience.
- Your communication and your language: your ability to analyze reality, to create meaning, define goals and visions, to build community and call for action. This means presenting your issue clearly and comprehensively, persuading and arguing effectively, accommodating your language and style, transmitting respect and compassion in your speech and writing, and demonstrating ability to dialogue.
- The rhetorical situation: your ability to understand how speech and context depend on each other; how good rhetoric is shaped by the context, but also shapes it.
Knowledge outcome
After having completed the course, students will have:
- basic knowledge of rhetorical theory and terminology
- basic knowledge of central concepts within the field of communication
- insight into relevant research within rhetoric, communication and leadership
- an understanding for language, style and coherence aimed at persuasion in speech and writing
- an understanding for the impact of rhetoric and dialogue at work.
Skills outcome
- After having completed the course, students will possess:
- rhetorical skills relevant for communication at work and for other contexts where messages are to be presented. They will be able to:
- present a problem clearly and sensibly
- plan, develop and deliver a speech or a presentation
- argue effectively and credibly
- construct their own speaker roles with respect to context
- engage their audience both orally and textually
- do rhetorical analysis in order to evaluate how speaker, text and audience connect with and influence the whole
- demonstrate dialogical skills and understanding.
Attitudinal/value outcome
After having completed the course, students will:
- identify good rhetoric from bad rhetoric
- understand of the importance of meaningful and effective language use
- understand the importance of a work environment based on dialogue and respect
- contribute to the building of leadership ethos within an organization
1. Module. Credibility and argumentation
Ethos, logos and pathos in rhetoric
Credibility ethos and authenticity
Ethos and authority; ethos and honour; ethos and sincerity
Argumentation the good argument
The speech as a management tool
2. Module. Style and delivery
Style and genre
Rhetorical tools, tropes and figures
Leadership, metaphors and storytelling
Non-verbal communication and presentation techniques
3. Module. Crisis communication
Crisis communication
Crisis and leadership
Conflict and conflict solution
4. Module. Dialogue and interpersonal communication
Dialogue and mutual learning
Conversational strategies and management communication
Unity and conflict in dialogue
5. Module. Rhetoric, communication and leadership
Rhetoric and leadership
Charisma, rhetoric and leadership
Visions and leadership
The authentic leader
The program runs over two semesters. Students are registered for each semester; the program in the first semester is called BMP 2501 and in the second semester BMP 2502.
The program consists of lectures, text analysis, verbal and non-verbal training and performance, writing a speech text to be delivered in class, giving and receiving feedback, and writing a project paper. Students write individual speech texts, deliver them individually, but work in pairs with the project paper. The project paper is a rhetorical and/or discourse analysis of a text of the students’ own choice. The text is to be approved by the instructor. Throughout the program students work in groups and learn how to give critical and constructive feedback on each others’ written work. The speech text and the project paper are handed in once for feedback by the instructor. In modules 1-2 students work on writing their speeches and receive speech writing tutoring; in modules 3-5 we focus on the project paper, which also includes tutoring. In module 4 one day is set off practicing the speech given in the oral exam in module 5. Lectures by faculty highlight the syllabus; lectures by invited practitioners demonstrate rhetoric, dialogue and communication put into practice. The home exam is based on the mandatory course literature.
In all BI Executive courses and programs, there is a mutual requirement for the student and the course responsible regarding the involvement of the student's experience in the planning and implementation of courses, modules and programmes. This means that the student has the right and duty to get involved with their own knowledge and practice relevance, through the active sharing of their relevant experience and knowledge.
Students hand in their individual writing portfolio which counts 60% of the total grade.
The portfolio is submitted as process evaluation and consists of three parts. Part 1-2 are submitted on a given date after the end of the course. Part 3 is performed in class in module 5.
- Part 1: A text analysis written individually or in pairs (2 students). The choice of text shall be approved by the instructor responsible for the program. The analysis shall be up to 15 pages, excluding attachments. Counts 50% of process evaluation
- Part 2: A written speech (2 pp.) on a topic chosen by the student about a communication problem or challenge related to the workplace of the student. The assignment is written individually, but students receive feedback in groups and from instructor during modules 1-3. Counts 35% of process evaluation.
- Part 3: Oral delivery (7 min) of the written text of the speech with fellow students acting as audience in class. Performed and evaluated in module 5. Counts 15% of exam evaluation.
In addition, each student is evaluated on a four (4) hour individual home exam, which counts 40% of the total grade of the course.
All individual assignments of the writing portfolio must be submitted again.
Both exams must be passed in order to get a passing grade for the course.
Higher Education Entrance Qualification
Disclaimer
Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.
Work experience. No other prerequisites are needed.
| Assessments |
|---|
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 50 Grouping: Group/Individual (1 - 2) Duration: 1 Semester(s) Exam code: BMP 25003 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course |
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 35 Grouping: Individual Duration: 1 Semester(s) Comment: Part 2: A written speech (2 pp.) on a topic chosen by the student about a communication problem or challenge related to the workplace of the student. The assignment is written individually, but students receive feedback in groups and from instructor during modules 1-3. Exam code: BMP 25003 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course |
Exam category: Activity Form of assessment: Presentation Weight: 15 Grouping: Individual Comment: Part 3: Oral delivery (7 min) of the written text of the speech with fellow students acting as audience in class. Performed and evaluated in module 5. Exam code: BMP 25003 Grading scale: Point scale leading to ECTS letter grade Resit: All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course |
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 40 Grouping: Individual Duration: 5 Hour(s) Comment: Individual home exam which counts 40% of BMP 2500, 30 credits Exam code: BMP 25004 Grading scale: ECTS Resit: Examination when next scheduled course |
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Teaching | 140 Hour(s) | |
Feedback activities and counselling | 10 Hour(s) | |
Examination | 75 Hour(s) | Work with #project assigment" |
Examination | 35 Hour(s) | Work with written speach |
Examination | 10 Hour(s) | Preperation Oral Speach |
Examination | 5 Hour(s) | Take home exam |
Prepare for teaching | 245 Hour(s) | |
Student's own work with learning resources | 140 Hour(s) | |
Group work / Assignments | 140 Hour(s) |
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 30 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 800 hours.
The portfolio is submitted as process evaluation and consists of three parts. Part 1-2 are submitted on a given date after the end of the course. Part 3 is performed in class in module 5.
Part 1: A text analysis written individually or in pairs (2 students). The choice of text shall be approved by the instructor responsible for the program. The analysis shall be up to 15 pages, excluding attachments.