Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Communication and Presentation Skills
Course Code
PZK_021
Branch of Science
-
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Business Management; Communication Science; Dentistry; Health Management; Information and Communication Science; Juridical Science; Law; Management Science; Marketing and Advertising; Medical Services; Medicine; Midwifery; Nursing Science; Pedagogy; Pharmacy; Political Science; Psychology; Public Health; Rehabilitation; Social Anthropology; Social Welfare and Social Work; Sociology; Sports Trainer
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Mārtiņš Daugulis
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
The course aims to improve students' speaking, presentation, and argumentation skills. The course will work with speech as a tool, focusing particularly on the interaction between the form and content of speech. Students will be given the opportunity to analyze politicians' speeches, and active participation in seminars will be a mandatory part of the course. Following the historical development of rhetoric as the art of speech, the overarching goal of the course is to develop an understanding of "logos, pathos, and ethos" (the expression of argument, emotional expression, and the expression of character) as indispensable components of every quality speech.
Practical sessions play a significant role within the course—thus, alongside seminars, students will also be given practical tasks during the lectures.
Preliminary Knowledge
Language skills: students must have a sufficient command of the course language of instruction in Latvian/English (according to the stream), to understand the course materials and engage in effective communication.
Basic knowledge of communication: understanding of fundamental communication models and theories, although these may be reviewed within the course.
Basic computer skills - proficiency in presentation software, such as PowerPoint or Google Slides.
Collaboration skills: ability to work in a team, as the course includes group projects and assignments.
Openness and willingness to learn: motivation and readiness to improve one's communication skills and to receive feedback.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Apply practical communication with the media, crisis communication and know the latest trends in media contact.
Skills
1.To evaluate and choose the most appropriate form of media communication, depending on the type of communication, style, and message being conveyed.
Competences
1.The ability to combine critical thinking, knowledge of political processes, and communication with delivering the message to specific media channels.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
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1.
Individual work |
-
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-
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|
Seminars, summaries of the given literature, practical work with the camera.
In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
Summeries on Umberto Eco’s book How to Write a Thesis? (3-5 pages; Times New Roman, 12pts, 1.5 line spacing)
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|
2.
Examination |
-
|
-
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|
Evaluation of peers' video interviews
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3.
Examination |
-
|
-
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|
The course is based on the completion of various practical tasks that train students' practical skills in communication and the art of presentation. Tasks are described in the e-study platform and must be carried out according to the instructor's instructions.
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4.
Examination |
-
|
-
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|
During the course, students are required to submit/pass the following units, which form the respective percentages of the grade:
1. Video double interview (25%);
2. Summaries on Umberto Eco’s book "How to Write a Thesis?" (3-5 pages; Times New Roman, 12pts, 1.5 line spacing) (25%);
3. Participation in seminars (15%);
4. Test on the informative part of the course (25%);
5. Evaluation of peers' video interviews (10%).
The content of all submitted units and the rationale for submission will be explained in the first lecture.
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
The origin and place of rhetoric as the art of speech in the modern world of communication:
- The concept of rhetoric and its explanations;
- The origins of rhetoric;
- The "physiology" of rhetoric.
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
Off site
|
E-Studies platform
|
2
|
Topics
|
The components of a good speech or "the tools of the orator":
- "logos": the logical content of the speech, argumentation, text and subtext, structure of the presentation, selection of speech topics;
- "pathos": the language of the body and gestures, the importance of voice, posture, the etiquette of business attire, the "structure of charisma and enthusiasm";
-"ethos": the qualities of the orator's character, the orator's status and its change, the interaction of value systems with the audience
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Video analysis of public speeches:
- Politics as the art of performance - what is expected from politicians' speeches?
- The context of speech - hidden information, coding of information, and the power of subtext.
- Maintaining the audience's attention.
- Communication barriers and their countermeasures.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The role of improvisation and empathy in interaction and public speaking:
- Sensing the audience and stage presence;
- Supporting the stage partner;
- Responsible narrative direction.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
The importance of ethos during a performance, group work:
- Understanding cognition and its operating principles;
- Difficult clients, the difficult ego;
- Repelling attacks, motivational schemes.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Study trip
|
2
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Topics
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"Fieldwork" - students working with the camera to prepare for a video double interview (4-7 minutes, YouTube unlisted, uncut format).
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Open Space Technology discussion for skills and knowledge testing.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Computer room
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2
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Topics
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A test on the informative part of the course - electronic - to be completed throughout the day.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study trip
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2
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Topics
|
An excursion to a live broadcast studio for a conversation with an industry professional.
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-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study trip
|
2
|
Topics
|
An excursion to a live broadcast studio for a conversation with an industry professional.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
20 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Visa literatūra ir angļu valodā un piemērota gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmas studentiem.
2.
"How to Be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening" by Julian Treasure (2019)
3.
Speak to Win: How to Present with Power in Any Situation" by Brian Tracy (2018)
4.
The Art of Public Speaking: The Original Tool for Improving Public Oration" by Dale Carnegie (2018)
5.
TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking by Chris Anderson (2020)
6.
Persuasive Communication: How Audiences Decide by Richard O. Young (2019)
7.
The Dynamics of Persuasion: Communication and Attitudes in the 21st Century by Richard M. Perloff (2018)
8.
Political Communication in Action: From Theory to Practice by David L. Helfert (2019)
Additional Reading
1.
Eko, Umberto. Kā uzrakstīt diplomdarbu. Rīga: SIA Jāņa Rozes apgāds (2006)
2.
Empathy in the Global World: An Intercultural Perspective" by Carolyn Calloway-Thomas (2018)
Other Information Sources
1.
Schopenhauer, Arthur. The Art of Controversy