APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2014/2015

ELE 3706 Persuasion and Dialogue for Leaders

Responsible for the course
Yanique Fletcher

Department
Department of Communication and Culture

Term
According to study plan

ECTS Credits
7,5

Language of instruction
English

Introduction
Leaders must be able to honestly and persuasively present new ideas to their colleagues, motivate them, and prepare them for change. Just as important, if not more so, leaders must be willing to listen to the responses their colleagues have to these new ideas and have the skills necessary for participation in constructive dialogue with them. They must be able to defend their proposals and at the same time remain open to helpful criticism and suggestions. This course aims, therefore, to develop these essential communication skills for good leadership in our students. Students will draw upon theory, but this is a hands-on course, and the emphasis is upon the application of theory to relevant communication situations.

Learning outcome
Acquired knowledge
Specifically, students will acquire advanced knowledge about:

• Public speaking: rhetoric, argumentation, critical thinking, debate.
• Interpersonal communication: dialogue, listening.
• Ethical communication.

• Deliver effective persuasive presentations and;
  • handle criticism - engage in productive, balanced dialogue during the critique process
  • handle logically and constructively critique peer presentations
  • give feedback constructively

• Lecture #1: Introduction to the Course. Professional presentations: organizational elements.
• Lecture #2: Rhetoric.
• Lecture #3: Logos for the persuasive speech: argumentation, critical thinking, debate.
  
• Workshop #1: Small groups. Ethos. 1-min. speeches, followed by individual feedback on body language, voice.
  
• Lecture #4: Ahead of time, students turn in outline of their manuscripts. In class - feedback on thesis statements, pathos - using examples from outlines.
• Lecture #5: Dialogue as ethical communication. Introduction to the Mutual Learning Model.
• Lecture #6: Dialogue. Tools for practicing the Mutual Learning Model.
  
• Workshop #2: (Tentative - depending upon class size.) Small groups. Exercise - dialogue for constructive feedback.
  
• Lecture #7: Logos for the persuasive speech: argumentation, critical thinking, debate.
  
• Workshop #3: Small groups. 1-min. delivery of speech opening. Individual feedback on body language, voice.
  
• Lecture #8: Ahead of time - turn in draft of manuscript. In class - feedback on ethos, logos, pathos, using examples from manuscripts.
• Lecture #9: Visual Aids
  
• Workshop #4: Small groups. Exercises - dialogue for handling difficult feedback.
  
• Lecture #10: Review and preparation for the exam.