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Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Speech and Rhetorical Studies

Sounds About White: Critiquing The Nca Standards For Public Speaking Competency, Adam Key Oct 2022

Sounds About White: Critiquing The Nca Standards For Public Speaking Competency, Adam Key

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

Using critical discourse analysis, I critically examined the National Communication Association’s (NCA) standards for public speaking competency to determine what type of ideal speaker the standards would produce. Highlighting NCA’s emphasis on “suitable” and “appropriate” forms of communication and the use of Standard American English, I argue that the ideal competent speaker in our classrooms sounds White. I complete the essay by reimagining the basic course using methods of Africana Study to explore ways that the standards for public speaking might be decolonized and made more inclusive to students of all backgrounds.


The Neutrality Myth: Integrating Critical Media Literacy Into The Introductory Communication Course, Meggie Mapes, Lindsey Kraus, Elnaz Parviz, Joshua Morgan Jan 2021

The Neutrality Myth: Integrating Critical Media Literacy Into The Introductory Communication Course, Meggie Mapes, Lindsey Kraus, Elnaz Parviz, Joshua Morgan

Basic Communication Course Annual

Our current cultural moment requires reflective urgency. COVID-19 has forced a collective pedagogical confrontation with new media’s materiality, and how such materiality intersects with, for example, the public speaking traditions within introductory communication courses. While COVID-19 has spotlighted online-only educational conversations, our disciplinary need to refocus new media introductory course curricular practices pre-dates the pandemic. This essay extends Rhonda Hammer’s (2009) critical media literacy framework into the introductory course, a practice whereby students are empowered to “read, critique, and produce media” rather than be passive consumers. We explore critical media literacy as pedagogically fruitful in identifying and resisting dominant ideologies …


Reflections On A Pedagogical Shift: A Public Speaking For Social Justice Model, Angela L. Putman Jan 2019

Reflections On A Pedagogical Shift: A Public Speaking For Social Justice Model, Angela L. Putman

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

While the basic content of the public speaking course has changed little, the method and manner in which these skills are taught can, and should, reflect the dynamic socio-political contexts in which we live and teach. This reflection essay addresses a struggle to keep the public speaking course relevant, innovative, and practical while also incorporating necessary learning outcomes. As a potential solution, I introduce a Public Speaking for Social Justice Model for the introductory course. The model requires that students thoroughly examine a timely social justice issue; situate themselves and their classmates within the issue while featuring marginalized voices and …