SPCOM 228 is a course that blends practical and theoretical elements to develop your understanding of the nature and significance of public communication. Strategies and techniques typically employed in political and commercial contexts are examined in lecture and discussion and applied through individual speeches, group presentations and written assignments. The relationship between communication and civic life informs the context of this application.
This course may be appropriate for you if these statements describe you:
- I am interested in developing my skills addressing matters of public and civic consequence.
- I would like to gain more practice with multi-modal communication that combines written, spoken, visual, audio and/or video elements.
This course may be appropriate for you if some of these statements describe how you feel about public communication:
- I would like to deepen my understanding of how communication contributes to civic life and society.
- I am interested in understanding and learning strategies for confronting the patriarchal, Eurocentric values, norms and biases that govern speaking situations in Canada and other countries.
- I would like to learn to think critically about how powerful interests use public communication.
- I enjoy speaking in front of others and would like to develop my skills further.
After successful completion of this course, you will be able to…
- Identify and analyze communication and direct communication to relevant audiences.
- Find and utilize appropriate resources from public memory, popular culture and the cultural imaginary.
- Critically analyze public communication, and its potential effects on audiences.
- Recognize and engage in the process of revision and iteration required to develop strong speeches, presentations and/or performances.