CMM 308

Persuasive Communication

Spring 2005

Dr. Bert Gross

 

Office:  Smith 244

Office Hours:  10-12 daily; 2-3:30 M; other hours by appointment

Telephone:  696-2808 (office);   757-8712 (home);   696-2814 (FAX)

E-mail:  gross@marshall.edu

Textbook:  Borchers, T.A. (2002).  Persuasion in the Media Age, 2nd ed. Boston:  McGraw Hill.

Course Objectives

  1. Students will learn to understand persuasion as a communication process.
  2. Students will learn principles of both rhetorical and behavioral theories of persuasion.
  3. Students will be able to use principles of persuasion to analyze persuasive discourse.
  4. Students will develop a persuasive speech using knowledge acquired in the course.
  5. Students will complete the development of a plan for a persuasive campaign for a campus or community organization using knowledge acquired in the course.

 

Course Requirements

  1. Students will complete three examinations which will cover the assigned readings as well as the materials presented and discussed in class.  Each exam will be worth 100 points.
  2. Each student will present a persuasive speech.  The speech assignment will also include the submission of written materials—audience analysis, explanation of persuasive strategy, and outline.  The speech will be worth a total of 100 points, one-half for the oral presentation and one-half for the written material.
  3. Each student will participate with a group in the development and presentation of a proposal for a persuasive campaign for a campus or community group.  All members of the group will share equally in the grade for the presentation which is worth 100 points.
  4. Occasional written assignments or unannounced quizzes may be made which will be worth 10 points each.  These assignments may not be submitted after the class in which they are due.
  5. Class attendance is required.  Absences are excused only when they meet the criteria outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog (pp. 120-121) and approved in the manner outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.  More than two unexcused absences will result in a reduction of the student’s final average by one percentage point for each unexcused absence beginning with the third.
  6. Students who earn a minimum of 90% of the total available points will earn an A; 80% = B; 70% = C; 60% = D; below 60% = F.

Tentative Course Outline

Jan 11              Introduction to the Course

Jan 13              Persuasion definitions and perspectives              Ch. 1

 

Jan 18              Media and Persuasion                                       Ch. 4

Jan 20              The Role of the Audience in Persuasion             Ch. 5

 

Jan 25              Theoretical Perspectives                                               Ch. 2

Jan 27              continue

 

Feb 1               Ethics and persuasion                                        Ch. 3

Feb 3               Exam 1

 

Feb 8               Persuasive presentations                                               Ch. 15

Feb 10             Source image and credibility                              Ch. 9

 

Feb 15             Logical argument                                                          Ch. 10

Feb  17            continue

 

Feb 22             Motivational appeals                                                     Ch. 11

Feb 24             Language and Persuasion                                              Ch. 7

 

Mar 1               Culture and Persuasion                                     Ch. 8

Mar 3               Exam 2

 

Mar 8               Persuasive Speech

Mar 10 Persuasive Speech

 

Mar 15 Persuasive Speech

Mar 17 Persuasive Speech

 

Mar 29             Persuasive movements and campaigns               Ch. 12

Mar 31 continue

 

Apr 5               Visual Images and Persuasion                           Ch. 6

Apr 7               Advertising                                                                   Ch. 13

 

Apr 12             continue

Apr 14             Interpersonal persuasion                                               Ch. 14

 

Apr 19             open

Apr 21             Group Presentations

 

Apr 26             Group Presentations

Apr 28             Group Presentations

 

May 3              Final Exam @ 12:45 P.M