Fall 2026 – Rhetoric and Public Speaking

Course Information

This is a 3-credit course that carries the academic commitment, workload, and tuition associated with university-level study. Please review the course details and tuition information carefully before registering. If completed with a passing grade, the credits may be eligible towards a future degree or certificate program.

Course Description

This introductory course combines the study of rhetorical theory with practical training in public speaking, equipping students to communicate clearly, persuasively, and ethically across academic, professional, and community contexts. Students explore foundational concepts in rhetoric—such as audience, purpose, structure, style, and argument—through classical and contemporary frameworks, including Western rhetorical traditions and the Islamic intellectual heritage. Attention is given to how rhetoric has shaped civic life, public discourse, and moral reasoning across cultures and historical periods.

Alongside theoretical study, the course emphasizes guided practice in speech design and delivery. Students analyze speeches, sermons, and public messages; develop and deliver narrative, informative, and persuasive speeches; and engage in peer feedback and reflective practice. Through iterative speaking experiences, students build confidence, refine vocal and physical delivery, adapt messages for diverse audiences and platforms, and cultivate ethical communication grounded in clarity, fairness, and responsibility.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain core concepts and debates in rhetorical theory (e.g., rhetorical situation, stasis, Toulmin model, ethos/pathos/logos; balāgha—maʿānī, bayān, badīʿ—in the Islamic tradition).

• Analyze speeches, sermons/khutbahs, op-eds, and public messages across historical and cultural contexts, identifying strategies and devices.

• Design and deliver clear, audience-centered messages using the five canons of rhetoric.

• Adapt style, tone, and structure for diverse audiences and platforms (in-person, online, multimedia).

• Apply ethical reasoning and reflective practice to persuasive communication (truthfulness, fairness, transparency, avoiding manipulation/fallacies).

• Provide and incorporate constructive feedback based on a transparent rubric.

• Build a professional portfolio (scripts, slides, recordings, analyses, reflections).

Course Prerequisites

Course Materials

Students are responsible for purchasing all required textbooks before the start of class.
Ribāṭ textbooks are available at the Rabata Bookshop

Registration Information

Questions?
Contact registration@rabata.org

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions and participate actively in their learning.
Consistent attendance supports academic success and helps maintain a collaborative classroom environment.
If an absence is unavoidable, students are responsible for communicating with their instructor, reviewing
missed material, and completing any assigned work.

Technology Requirements

To ensure a successful online learning experience, all students must have regular access to a personal
computer and reliable high-speed internet. Courses at Ribāṭ University are delivered through Canvas and may include video lectures, interactive discussions, digital readings, and multimedia assignments.
Students are responsible for maintaining the technology needed to participate fully.

Minimum Technical Requirements

Technology Skills

Additional Notes and Technical Support

• Students are expected to check course announcements and email regularly.
• Technical support is available for login issues, course access, and basic troubleshooting.