ESF:PHRESP Rhetoric and Social Protocol - Course Information

PHRESP Rhetoric and Social Protocol

Extent and Intensity

0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).

Teacher(s)

doc. PhDr. Božena Šmajsová Buchtová, CSc. (seminar tutor)

Guaranteed by

doc. PhDr. Božena Šmajsová Buchtová, CSc.
Department of Business Management – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Contact Person: Vlasta Radová

Timetable of Seminar Groups

PHRESP/1: each even Thursday 9:20–12:45 S301, B. Šmajsová Buchtová
PHRESP/2: each odd Thursday 9:20–12:45 S301, B. Šmajsová Buchtová

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 28 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/28, only registered: 0/28, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/28

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

• European Economy, Administrative and Cultural Studies (programme ESF, B-HPS4)

Course objectives

The introduction to rhetoric briefly explains its historical and cultural background. Students will learn the significance of the language in communication and refinement of expression both in terms of common communication between people and potential application in a future management role.
The course (and each meeting) consists of four parts:

I. Introductory psychophysical relaxation
It focuses on physical and mental relaxation, to eliminate negative factors and their impact on voice (repressed feelings, confused thinking, wrong bodily posture, adverse breath control by external muscles, strain of fine larynx muscles during formation of sound, psychological stress).

II. Preparation and construction of stylistic spoken expressions in practice
In the second part, students are encouraged to clearly and unambiguously express their opinions and views, to precisely frame problems with a logical sequence of thought processes, to practise the ability to argue and lead a discussion, to learn to attract listeners. Close attention is paid to preparation and register of speeches and the difference between spoken and written language. Attention is also paid to stylistic construction of a speech with the emphasis on the rational aspect of speech (report, discussion, lecture, debate) and also to speeches with the emphasis on the emotional aspect (ceremonial speeches - panegyric speech, mourning, toast, political speech and speech ceremony). The emphasis is put on the selection and use of language of a speech, on the contact with the audience, and on the socio-psychological aspects of speeches

III. Speaking technique
The third part covers speech techniques and focuses on:
- Czech language rules (correct pronunciation, rhythm of language, accent)
- Diction (respiration, voice creation - phonation, pronunciation - articulation)
- Correct pronunciation (Czech rules of pronunciation and loanwords)
- Speech (semantic stress, work with prepositions)

IV. Refinement of expression
The dynamic nature of the economic environment requires not only professional qualifications but also development of social qualification. A part of this is the art of getting along with people and conducting oneself. Students become familiar with the basics of etiquette through active teaching methods.

Main objectives of the course are:
- to improve the strategy of personal conduct by means of proper behaviour, stress management, and rhetorical skills
- to acquire the rules of social interaction and communication process
- to master the technique of speech - the right use of breath and voice, precise enunciation
- to learn the pronunciation rules of standard Czech language
- to refine manners

Syllabus

• Thematic plan and the content of the course (per weeks): Given the active teaching methods and use of video, the course takes place in four-hour blocks every other week.
• I.
• - Introductory seminar – information on the content of the course, setting the themes of social protocol.
• - Introduction of course participants by means of presentation skills training. Work with social information.
• - Rhetoric in history, a brief history of rhetoric. Development of rhetoric function.
• - Presentation of a theme - video training with feedback.
• II.
• - Introductory psycho-physical relaxation - practising backbone activation, training to perceive breathing habits and new experiences.
• - Giving a speech – a paper - video training with feedback.
• - Principles of persuasive self-representation and possibilities of training. Methods of strengthening self-confidence.
• - Social protocol - tact and consideration (smoking, mobile phone); salutation - forms of salutation; handshake; introduction; role and form of a business card; use of first names and surnames, use of academic degrees in speech and in correspondence; social walk; bodily posture, first impression, body language.
• Video " Etiquette", 1st part. Author: J. Špaček
• III.
• - Introductory psycho-physical relaxation – an exercise leading to relaxation of breathing muscles.
• - Giving a speech - discussion. Video training with feedback.
• - Make-up of a speech. Requirements for speech. Choice of language means.
• - Social protocol - ritual of endowing; promises; apology; social preferences: table manners; compromise and taboos; behaviour in restaurant; business lunch in restaurant – duties of the host; banquets, social meetings; invitation; visits.
• - Video " Etiquette", 1st and 2nd part. Author: J. Špaček
• IV.
• - Introductory psycho-physical relaxation - exercises focused on transferring the perception of listening to voice by ear to the perception of physical sense of voice in the diaphragm.
• - Giving a speech - lecture. Video-training with feedback.
• - Time schedule of the speech. Contact with the audience. Space layout. Preparation of visual aids and use of technology.
• - Training of right articulation - vowels and consonants.
• - Social protocol – Starting a new job. Behaviour at work place. Video " Etiquette", 1st part
• V.
• - Introductory psycho-physical relaxation - exercises focused on the elimination of fright and stress while giving a speech.
• - Training of argumentation by means of Roberts’ English debate. Video-training with feedback.
• - Principles of pronunciation of Czech words and loanwords. Practising sentence stress and prepositions.
• - Social protocol - family environment. Street and traffic. Dealing with authorities. Dealing with foreigners.
• VI.
• - Introductory psycho-physical relaxation - exercises focused on the work with breath.
• - Giving a speech - panegyric speech, funeral speech, toast (individual selection). Video-training with feedback.
• - Empty phrases in speech. Stylistic exercises focused on: redundant words, wrong word order, and accumulation of parts of a sentence in the same case, overuse of gerunds, illogical diction, and choice of register.
• - Social protocol - Social conversation and correspondence (rules of a dialogue; asking questions; the art of listening; telephoning techniques; rules of using mobile phones; rules of business correspondence).
• VII.
• - Introductory psycho-physical relaxation - exercises aiming at physical relaxation using imagination.
• - Final presentation of a selected speech. Video-training with feedback.
• - Social protocol - final test.

Literature

• ŠMAJSOVÁ BUCHTOVÁ, Božena. Cvičné texty z rétoriky (The texts of rhetoric). Brno: MU v Brně, 2005, 83 pp. I. ISBN 80-210-3752-0. info
• ŠMAJSOVÁ BUCHTOVÁ, Božena. Rétorika. (The rhetoric.). Praha: Grada Publishing, 2005, 210 pp. I. ISBN 80-247-0868-X. info

Assessment methods

In the final week students prepare and present certain types of a speech.
The final tests in social protocol and rhetorical exercises is written in the exam period. It consists of free answers to three questions within the 30-minute time limit. The test is assessed on the point scale; the final classification is passed - failed. Condition for successful completion of the final test is to satisfactorily answer at least 70% of questions. None of the question can be assessed with mark F.
If student commits a prohibited act, such as usage of various forbidden tools, cribbing, taking out any part of the exam or any other cheating, teacher is allowed to interrupt an exam and to grade a student with F, FF or FFF according to the seriousness of the offence. Mentioned procedure relates to all the activities that are included to the final evaluation of the course (seminar work, essays, tests etc.).

Language of instruction

Czech

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

The course is taught annually.
General note: Počet studentů je limitován na 2 seminární skupiny po 14 studentech.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 4 hodiny jedenkrát za 14 dní.
Information on course enrolment limitations: Počet studentů je limitován na seminární skupiny po 14 studentech

• Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2008, recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/econ/autumn2008/PHRESP