ZURb1225 Rhetoric and public speech

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Radovan Plášek (seminar tutor)
Mgr. et Mgr. Kateřina Kirkosová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Kateřina Kirkosová, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Boris Rafailov, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
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 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to familiarize the participants with communication (verbal and non-verbal) skills and knowledge applied in connection with rhetoric and public speaking, and at the same time to develop these communication skills and knowledge through practical exercises and tasks. The course provides the necessary orientation in what rhetoric is, what its history is, and what rhetorical genres we distinguish. In relation to the person of the speaker, it focuses on: what an appropriate public speech looks like in relation to the audience and how to prepare it; how to deal with stage fright; what is the technique of speaking and body language and how to develop both; what are the psychological aspects of rhetorical skills and what balanced non-manipulative and healthy human communication should look like. Individual thematic units include practical exercises, games, tasks and other activities through which students develop their own communication skills (both verbal and non-verbal) and analyze the performances of others.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge of the forms of contemporary rhetorical and communication practice in connection with the historical development of public speaking. The ability to create a form of public speaking using knowledge of the technique of speaking and body language and with knowledge of the audience. During the course, you will become aware of your communication strengths and weaknesses and learn to work with them. To improve in handling stressful communication situations. The ability to recognize communication that is unsatisfactory, unsupported by arguments, using rhetorical fouls or manipulative.
Syllabus
  • Definition of terms: verbal and non-verbal communication, rhetoric. On the history and transformations of rhetoric. Rhetorical genres: theory and exercises/tasks. Personality of the speaker (typology): theory and exercises/tasks. Stage fright and stress: theory and practice. Communication context and basic means of communication. Audience, speech form and stages of its preparation: theory and practice. Speaking technique: theory and practice. Body language (non-verbal communication): theory and practice. Argumentation and persuasion (logic, emotions, fouls, manipulation): theory and practice. Rhetorical devices (tropes, figures, other linguistic structures) and the linguistic aspect of speech: theory and practice. Psychological Aspects of Communication Skills: Theory and Tasks. r.
Literature
  • Batko, A. Umění persvaze. HELION S. A. Gliwice 2006.
  • ŽANTOVSKÁ, Irena. Rétorika a komunikace. První vydání. Praha: Dokořán, 2015, 287 stran. ISBN 9788073637125. info
  • ŠPAČKOVÁ, Alena. Umění dialogu : jak si s lidmi opravdu porozumět. 1. vyd. Praha: Grada Publishing, 2011, 196 s. ISBN 9788024738109. URL info
  • KŘIVOHLAVÝ, Jaro. Povídej - naslouchám. 2. přeprac. vyd., v KNA 1. Kostelní Vydří: Karmelitánské nakladatelství, 2010, 135 s. ISBN 9788071954057. info
  • PLAŇAVA, Ivo. Průvodce mezilidskou komunikací : přístupy - dovednosti - poruchy. Vyd. 1. Praha: Grada, 2005, 146 s. ISBN 8024708582. info
  • SZYMANEK, Krzysztof. Umění argumentace : terminologický slovník. Translated by Zuzana Smetanová. 1. české vyd. V Olomouci: Univerzita Palackého, 2003, 392 s. ISBN 8024406993. info
  • KRAUS, Jiří. Rétorika v dějinách jazykové komunikace. 1. vyd. Praha: Academia, 1981, 231 s. URL info
Teaching methods
–cooperative – discussion – frontal (interpretation) – gaming (for verbal and non-verbal communication) – assignments and reading
Assessment methods
Active participation in lessons: a) a maximum of two unexcused absences, b) two prepared and realized rhetorical outputs in front of others, c) submission of the written assignments, d) active participation in activities, including homework.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/ZURb1225