Carl J. Brown, Ph.D.
Last Update: September 2018
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Traditional Courses:

General Speech 
General Speech is a basic communication course that combines elements of public speaking with those of a communication theory course.  This course is designed to stitch together basic theoretical foundations of communication with practical applications.  Topics covered include communication models, listening, interpersonal communication, communication bias, informative speaking, and persuasive speaking.  Assignments include weekly reaction papers, three exams, and three speeches.

General Speech with a Women's Studies emphasis 
This course is very similar to its basic sister listed above.  The Women's Studies emphasis shifts the course toward a focus on gender issues.  For example, a lecture on bias language would cover various types of bias, but the class discussion would center on gender-related bias in language.  Also, weekly reaction papers and all speeches must focus on gender-specific topics. 

Public Speaking /Oral Communication
These courses represent traditional public speaking courses.  In some courses, students are required to complete exams as well as numerous speeches.  In other courses, students are only required to complete numerous speeches.  In each case, the course objectives include heightening student awareness of the importance of communication in daily life, as well as improving public speaking skills.  

Argumentation and Debate
This course is designed to improve critical thinking skills, help students create and structure logical arguments, and encourage "thinking on your feet."  Students are required to complete four quizzes on the basics of logic, fallacies, and the structure of debate, as well as one individual and two team debates.  

Communication Theory
This course introduces students to multiple and various communication theories. Students are informed about a theory's background, meaning, and uses. Then, students are challenged to apply the theory to an aspect of their personal and/or professional lives. 

Communication Research
This course teaches students to identify concepts, constructs, and variables related to research. Specifically, students establish research questions, review literature, become familiar with various research methods (both quantitative and qualitative), and learn APA style. 

Communication Consultant Development
This course prepares new communication center consultants to interact and collaborate with clients (students, faculty, and staff) on any part of any oral presentation. This course is part of the GVSU Speech Lab's nationally certified training program accredited by the National Association of Communication Centers. 

Online Courses:

General Speech
This course has the same objectives as the traditional course by the same name above, but was conducted in a virtual environment.  Using both Blackboard and Desire to Learn software packages (depending on the semester taught), students watched recorded lectures and took virtual quizzes.  Additionally, students were required to post in an online discussion board in place of reaction papers, and were required to seek out their own audience (of at least 10 people) for each speech and upload that speech to a Youtube.com group account. 

Public Speaking
This course has the same objectives as the traditional course by the same name above, but was conducted in a virtual environment.  At this university, students were required to watch online lectures, submit outlines to Dropbox, and upload speeches to a Youtube.com group account. 

Distance Education (Interactive Television):

General Speech
This course has the same objectives and assignments as the traditional course by the same name above, but was conducted using interactive television.  This technology allowed me to teach a brick and mortar class in one location, while another group listened and interacted from a satellite campus. 

Public Speaking
This course has the same objectives and assignments as the traditional course by the same name above, but was conducted using interactive television.  This technology allowed me to teach a brick and mortar class in one location, while another group listened and interacted from a satellite campus.

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