Public Speaking Class Offered in Fall 2024 at FAU

Communication, Education, Persuasion, Public Speaking, Public Speaking Coach, Speech Writing, WritingLeave a comment
FAU Public Speaking Class Prep Underway by adjunct instructor R. Michael Brown
  • Location: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
  • Offered Fully Online via FAU Zoom
  • Course Registration for Robert Brown’s Class: SPC 2608-015: Public Speaking
  • Adjunct Faculty: Robert [Michael] Brown
  • Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of public speaking, with the ultimate goal of preparing students to be confident, effective, and ethical communicators – as taught by Robert [Michael] Brown, Adjunct Faculty, FAU School of Communication & Multimedia Studies.

Students develop practical skills in preparing, presenting, and critiquing various forms of public discourse, firmly grounded in rhetorical theory and performance art. Recognizing the relationship between speakers and audience members, this course seeks to develop strong listening skills alongside speaking skills.

TedTalk video and R. Michael Brown written and produced multimedia content is used throughout the course to help students overcome speaking anxiety, and as examples for inspiration in developing and performing great speeches.

R. Michael Brown sample multimedia content for Public Speaking class.
R. Michael Brown’s Public Speaking Class Sample Content

This is a fully online course, presented over Zoom, and accessible only through FAU’s learning management system, Canvas. You must log into Canvas with your FAU ID and Password to access the materials and assignments in this course.

Public Speaking Apprehension is a major focus in the class.
Public Speaking Apprehension and how to overcome it is a major focus in the class.

A major emphasis in the class is helping students overcome Public Speaking Apprehension. Workshops in class and at the FAU Speaking Center, and personal coaching from Michael will help you learn to perform your speeches in public.

Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Apply rhetorical theories to analyze a speaking situation and craft effective and appropriate audience-centered speeches.
  • Collect and effectively use research to support ideas.
  • Prepare and deliver speeches for various contexts and purposes—to introduce, inform, persuade, and celebrate.
  • Critically evaluate speeches and public discourse according to principles of rhetorical theory.

Book for the class is free online: Speak Out, Call In: Public Speaking as Advocacy by Dr. Meggie Mapes, Department of Communication Studies, University of Kansas

Instructor Bio

Robert [Michael] Brown is part of the Adjunct Faculty with the FAU School of Communication and Multimedia Studies. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at FAU in Communication [Journalism specializing in science, technology, and medicine] and Master’s Degree in Communication [Broadcasting, Marketing, Public Relations] at Barry University in Miami. Prior to teaching at FAU, he taught at Miami State College, at IBM Management School, and as a guest lecturer at many colleges and universities. Michael is currently an international marketing & communication leader for nonprofit and for-profit organizations, worldwide published and broadcast writer and multimedia producer, keynote speaker, speechwriter, teacher, and integrated marketing and PR consultant. He’s been a speechwriter for CEOs, executives, and government and political leaders, and a former speaker at COMDEX (now Consumer Electronics Show [CES]), National Association of Broadcasters [NAB], Society of Applied Learning Technology [SALT], IBM, and more. Under the byline R. Michael Brown, he was a pioneer for multimedia and Internet communication at IBM, the first multimedia producer at IBM and Motorola, and has written and produced content aired on Discovery Channel, ABC Wild World of Sports, local affiliates and two Web-based channels that he founded: Town of Palm Beach Palm Beach TV and Go Home TV. While at IBM, he produced “Introducing Ultimedia,” a NY Film Festival Award winner that was featured on NBC Today Show, ABC Good Morning America, Discovery Channel, CNN, and PBS. He lives in Lake Placid, Florida with his wife and one (high schooler) of five children. See R. Michael Brown’s Multimedia Portfolio

Public Speaking Class Topics

Storytelling in Public

I. Public Speaking, Advocacy, and Audiences

  1. Public Speaking As Advocacy
  2. Centering Audiences

II. Arguments and Information

  1. Selecting and Formulating Arguments
  2. Researching Arguments
  3. Crafting Arguments
  4. Organizing and Outlining

III. Aesthetics and Delivery

  1. Creating an Aesthetic Experience
  2. Verbal Delivery
  3. Nonverbal Delivery
  4. Presentation Aids
  5. Rehearsing Your Presentation

IV. Approaches

  1. Informative Speaking
  2. Persuasive Speaking
  3. Online Public Speaking
  4. Ceremonial Speaking
Public Speaking class module on Conclusions for a speech.
Public Speaking class module on Conclusions for a speech.

Speech Assignments

Grades are heavily weighted on these three speeches:

  • Introduce Yourself
  • Informational Speech
  • Persuasive Speech

Important Dates

Registration is now open for FAU students seeking a degree. [Open since March 2024]

Aug 12: Non-Degree Registration Opens

To register for R. Michael Brown’s Public Speaking Class the course is: SPC 2608-015: Public Speaking

Aug 17: All FAU Classes Begin

Aug 20, Tuesday 11 AM – 12:20 PM: R. Michael Brown’s Public Speaking Class Begins. Online meetings are every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 AM – 12:20 PM.

Dec 11: FAU Fall Semester Ends

SPOT Professor Reviews/Evaluations and Comments by students give this class taught by Robert [Michael] Brown as excellent!

Register for FAU Classes

Posted by

Storyteller | Writer, Ghostwriter | Multimedia Producer | Marketing & Communication | AI Operator-Biz Consultant

Leave a Reply