Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE HPN2007

 
TITLE Communication Skills and Public Speaking

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Health, Physical Education and Consumer Studies

 
DESCRIPTION This unit will also offer students practical guidance and opportunities for developing and implementing effective public presentations typically required by Home Economists. It will revise basic elements of communication, as well as look at types and purposes of speeches, and factors to consider when planning and delivering speeches including audience analysis, organisation of the speech, supporting materials and audio-visual aids, physical setting, overcoming fear and attire.

Study-Unit Aims:

This unit aims to introduce students to effective public speaking in scenarios often experienced by Home Economists. It will allow them to plan, deliver and evaluate effective speeches.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Revise key features of basic communication skills after a group discussion;
- Outline features and processes which will facilitate an effective public presentation to suit different circumstances, based on critical analyses of different situations.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Implement self-assessment and goal setting with respect to public speaking;
- Practise different presentation skills in a simulated scenario;
- Plan and deliver an effective presentation in a public setting;
- Critically assess her/his public presentation based on different criteria.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Sprague, JSD., Bodary, D. (2016) The Speaker's handbook, 11th edition, Gengage Learning.
- Beebe, S.A. & Beebe, S.J. (2006) Public Speaking: an Audience-Centred Approach, 6th edition, Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Supplementary Readings:

- Bottita, M. (2004) How to Succeed at Public Speaking, Baker.
- Carnegie, D. (1997). How to develop self confidence and influence people by public speaking. Vermillion.
- DeVito J.A. (2005) The Essential Elements of Public Speaking, 2nd edition, Pearson.
- German, K.M. et al. (2006) Principles of Public Speaking, 6th edition, Allyn & Bacon.
- Grice, G.L. & Skinner, J.F. (2006) Mastering Public Speaking, 6th edition, Pearson.
- Hanna, M. (2005) Public Speaking for Personal Success, Pearson.
- Kelly, S.F. & Kelly, R.J. (2002) Speaking naturally: Your guide to confident successful public speaking. The Wellness Institute.
- Lucas, S.E. (2006) The Art of Public Speaking, 9th edition, McGraw-Hill.
- A Reading Pack and suggestions for Online resources are provided by the Lecturer.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Independent Online Learning, Lectures and Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment Yes 40%
Presentation (20 Minutes) No 60%

 
LECTURER/S Suzanne Piscopo

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit