Unit 1: Fundamentals of Communication

Description:

Although public speaking is a performance-based art form, it is also a human behavior. And, just like any other human behavior, it can be studied scientifically. This is great news for most of us; especially if you do not consider yourself a ‘natural born speaker’. It means that regardless of your innate talents, you can become an effective public speaker by understanding certain concepts and implementing certain techniques. This first unit will introduce you to the idea of public speaking as a social science, why it is important to study, and how you will use this scientific approach to become a better public speaker. (Supplemental Reading: Chapter 1)

Topic 1: Understanding Communication

Objectives:

Recognize the features of communication that make it a social science
Distinguish Communication from Psychology and Sociology as social sciences

Instructions
Instructions for Completion
Watch instructional video…Understanding Communication (Video) Complete learning activity…Understanding Communication (Sorting) Take quiz…Understanding Communication (Quiz) Est. time: 20 min.

Topic 2: Significance of Communication

Objectives:

Identify why communication is important to study as a discipline
Identify Ptah Hotep, Confucius, Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates
Recognize historical traces of communication studies

Instructions
Instructions for Completion
Watch instructional video…Significance of Communication (Video) Complete learning activity…Significance of Communication (Sorting) Take quiz…Significance of Communication (Quiz) Est. time: 20 min.