DPI-802M-B - ARTS OF COMMUNICATION

Harvard Kennedy School of Government Module 3 – Spring 2015 – RG 20

Instructor: Timothy Patrick McCarthy Office/Phone: Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, 206 Rubenstein, 617-384-9023 Email: [email protected] Web Site: http://scholar.harvard.edu/timothypatrickmccarthy Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 1:30-3:30pm (see Google Doc to sign-up) Faculty Assistant: Michael Weinbeck, [email protected] Course Assistants: Katie Blaisdell (HKS/HDS), [email protected] Dan Bowles (HKS/HBS), [email protected]

OVERVIEW

Today’s leaders must have the ability to communicate clearly, persuasively, and thoughtfully to diverse audiences. This course is designed for people who want to lead and communicate well in an increasingly complex world. Its principal goal is to strengthen the capacity of each student to speak more effectively and authentically in public settings.

The course will emphasize public oratory: how to find one’s voice; employ standard elements of rhetoric; speak with eloquence, passion, and confidence; express cultural identities and values; and articulate empathy and understanding for different perspectives. Along the way, we will address the following aspects of public communication: speaking on the spot; dealing with tough audiences; framing political issues; telling stories; using humor and emotion; and navigating group presentations.

Students are expected to read selected articles (“readings”) and view selected videos (“viewings”) in preparation for each lesson/discussion. Students will also engage in a variety of public speaking exercises —impromptu speaking, group exercises, and individual speech presentations—for which they will receive oral and written feedback from their peers and professor. All speaking exercises will be videotaped and made available on the course web site.

MEETINGS

With a two exceptions (February 24 and March 10), Tuesdays will be be devoted to a lesson/discussion, impromptu speaking exercise, or group exercise. Starting the week of February 2 and continuing for the rest of the module, Thursdays will be devoted—again with two exceptions (February 26 and March 5)— to individual speech presentations. For all impromptu speaking, group exercises, and individual speeches, students will be divided into two sections (RED GROUP and BLUE GROUP) of equal size. Sections are scheduled as follows:

RED GROUP: Tuesdays, 4:10-6pm, on Feb. 10 & 17 (Impromptu Speaking), Feb. 24 and March 10 (Individual Speeches) & March 3 (Group Exercises) Thursdays, 4:10-6pm, on Feb. 5, 12, 19 and March 12 (Individual Speeches) & March 5 (Group Exercises) ***there will be a lesson/discussion on February 26 from 4:10-6pm***

BLUE GROUP: Tuesdays, 6:10-8pm, on Feb. 10 & 17 (Impromptu Speaking), Feb. 24 and March 10 (Individual Speeches) & March 3 (Group Exercises) Thursdays, 6:10-8pm, on Feb. 5, 12, 19, and March 12 (Individual Speeches) & March 5 (Group Exercises) ***there will be a lesson/discussion on February 26 from 4:30-6pm***

This division into two separate sections will provide enough time for each student to deliver three individual speeches (graded), do one impromptu speaking exercise (ungraded), and participate in one group exercise (graded) over the course of the module.

AUDIENCE

There is no prerequisite for this course. It is designed to be useful to students who are interested in public communication with all levels of experience. Enrollment is strictly limited to 40 students and priority will be given to Harvard Kennedy School students. Because of the increasingly high demand for the course in recent years, cross-registrants and auditors are not likely to be admitted this term. This course is also closed to undergraduates.

EXPECTATIONS

Time requirements for this course are likely to be high. In addition to assigned readings and viewings, students are required to participate actively in class discussions. Grades will be based on three short speech assignments, a group exercise, and class participation. Since peer feedback is an important part of the class participation grade, attendance at all class meetings is required. Unexcused absences and excessive tardiness will negatively affect the class participation and final grades. Certain exceptions for sickness or personal emergency will be granted only if students contact Professor McCarthy via email in advance of the class meeting. Please note: the use of personal technology (smart phones, laptops, etc.) for any purpose other than note-taking is strictly prohibited. Any student who violates this policy will receive a failing grade for class participation.

ASSIGNMENTS

During this module, each student will be required to do one ungraded impromptu speaking exercise, participate in one graded group exercise, and deliver three formal speeches of roughly four minutes each. Students will also be expected to provide meaningful written and oral feedback to their peers following all speech presentations and group exercises.

GRADING

Speech Presentations 60% (20% each) Group Exercise 20% Class Participation and Feedback 20%

It is the responsibility of each student to arrange to make up any missed assignments. Any assignment that remains incomplete at the end of the term will receive a failing grade.

MATERIALS

2 All assigned readings and viewings should be completed by the date they are listed on the syllabus. There are two required books, which are available for purchase at the Harvard Coop and on Amazon:

George Lakoff, Don’t Think of an Elephant! (Chelsea Green, 2004) Jay Heinrichs, Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us about the Art of Persuasion (Three Rivers, 2007) ***students should also purchase a small journal for note taking***

I recommend these texts (also available at the Harvard Coop and on Amazon):

Jay Allison and Dan Gediman, ed. This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women (Henry Holt, 2007) Andras Szanto, ed. What Orwell Didn’t Know: Propaganda and the New Face of American Politics (Public Affairs, 2007) Roger Ailes, You Are the Message (Currency, 1988) Peggy Noonan, On Speaking Well (ReganBooks, 1999) Jack Valenti, Speak Up with Confidence (Hyperion, 2002) Nancy Duarte, Resonate (Wiley, 2010)

Additional readings and viewings are marked [O] and are available via the online Class Page.

The following web sites contain a broad range of speeches in text, audio, and video form: http://americanrhetoric.com/, http://www.youtube.com, and http://ted.com. For examples of storytelling, see NPR’s thisibelieve.org and themoth.org.

SCHEDULE

THURS, 1/22 Shopping Day, RG 20, 4:10 – 5:25pm, ALL COMERS

WEEK ONE

TUES, 1/27 Lesson and Discussion, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, ENTIRE CLASS Engaging the Audience

Readings and Viewings: O – Aristotle on Rhetoric http://americanrhetoric.com/aristotleonrhetoric.htm O – George Orwell, “Politics and the English Language” (1946) O – Timothy Patrick McCarthy, “Why I Write,” in Jim Downs, ed. Why We Write: The Politics and Practice of Writing for Social Change (Routledge, 2005) O – Susan Faludi, “Speak for Yourself,” New York Times Magazine, Jan. 26, 1992 http://ezp1.harvard.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com.ezp1.harvard.edu/pqdweb? did=290303372&sid=1&Fmt=10&clientId=11201&RQT=309&VName=HNP O – Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave (1845; Penguin Classics, 1986), selections O – Jay Heinrichs, “How Harvard Destroyed Rhetoric,” Harvard Magazine (1995) O – Barack Obama, Democratic Convention Keynote Address (2004) http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/convention2004/barackobama2004dnc.htm O – Bill Clinton, Speech to Memphis Ministers (1993) http://americanrhetoric.com/speeches/wjclintonmemphis.htm

3 O – Barbara Jordan, On the Impeachment of Richard Nixon (1974) http://americanrhetoric.com/speeches/barbarajordanjudiciarystatement.htm

THURS, 1/29 Lesson and Discussion, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, ENTIRE CLASS Speaking on the Spot

Readings and Viewings: Jay Heinrichs, Thank You for Arguing O – Marie Danziger, “Mental Models for Public Speaking” O – Amy Cuddy, “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are,” TED Talk (2012) http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en O – MM Lee with His Jovial Question (2011) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfnjQBjbJFE O – Li Na, Australian Open Winner’s Speech (2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymoM0HJoHgk O – David Cameron, Prime Minister’s Questions (2013) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoJ6Ty84TYA O – Reza Aslan, “But You’re A Muslim, Right?” (2013) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt1cOnNrY5s O – Hillary Rodham Clinton, On Reproductive Rights and Family Planning (2009) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH9rC0MaBJc

WEEK TWO

TUES, 2/3 Lesson and Discussion, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, ENTIRE CLASS Framing the Debate

Readings and Viewings:

George Lakoff, Don’t Think of an Elephant O – George Lakoff, “What Orwell Didn’t Know about the Brain, the Mind, and Language,” in Szanto, pp. 67-74 O – Drew Westen, “The New Frontier: The Instruments of Emotion,” in Szanto, pp. 75-86 O – Drew Westen, The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation (Public Affairs, 2007), introduction and ch. 1 O – Luntz, Words That Work, ch. 1, 12-13, Appendix B O – Matt Bai, “The Framing Wars,” New York Times, July 17, 2005 http://www.lexisnexis.com.ezp1.harvard.edu/us/lnacademic/api/version1/sr? shr=t&csi=6742&sr=HLEAD(The+Framing+Wars)+AND+DATE+IS+07/17/2005 O – Jonathan Haidt, “The Moral Roots of Liberals and Conservatives” (2008 TED Talk) and “How Common Threats Can Make Common (Political) Ground” (2012 TED Talk) http://righteousmind.com/ O – Martin Luther King, Jr., March on Washington Address (1963) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEqnnklfYs O – Malcolm X, The Ballot or the Bullet Speech (1964) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9BVEnEsn6Y O – Mario Cuomo, Democratic National Convention Keynote (1984) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOdIqKsv624 O – Ann Richards, Speech to Emily’s List (2004) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT_akDBRmmA

4 O – Aung San Suu Kyi, Forum on Women Keynote Address (2013) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MhaT82MdLo O – Zach Wahls, “On Family” (2011) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSQQK2Vuf9Q O – Sheryl Sandberg, Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders, TED Talk (2010) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18uDutylDa4 *Students should also take the Implicit Attitude Tests: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/

THURS, 2/5 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute problem/solution speech (RED-A)

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute problem/solution speech (BLUE-A)

WEEK THREE

TUES, 2/10 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Impromptu Speaking Exercise

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Impromptu Speaking Exercise

THURS, 2/12 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute problem/solution speech (RED-B)

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute problem/solution speech (BLUE-B)

WEEK FOUR

TUES, 2/17 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Impromptu Speaking Exercise

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Impromptu Speaking Exercise

THURS, 2/19 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute framing speech (RED-A)

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute framing speech (BLUE-A)

WEEK FIVE

TUES, 2/24 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute framing speech (RED-B)

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute framing speech (BLUE-B)

5 THURS, 2/26 Lesson and Discussion, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, ENTIRE CLASS Telling Stories

Readings and Viewings:

O – Marshall Ganz, “The Power of Story in Social Movements” (2001) O – Marshall Ganz, “What is Public Narrative?” (working paper, 2007) (Both of these papers are available via the Kennedy School home page > people > faculty > Marshall Ganz > publications) O – Martha Nussbaum, “Emotions and Judgments of Value,” in Upheavals of Thought: The Intelligence of Emotions (Cambridge, 2001), pp. 19-33 O – Stephen L. Carter, Integrity (BasicBooks, 1996), ch. 1, 13 O – Peggy Noonan, On Speaking Well (ReganBooks, 1999), pp. 194-208 O – Barack Obama, “A More Perfect Union” (2008) http://www.barackobama.com/tv/speeches.php O – Barack Obama, Speech on Trayvon Martin (2013) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHBdZWbncXI O – Malala Yousafzai, Speech to the United Nations (2013) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRh_30C8l6Y O – J. K. Rowling, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” Harvard Commencement Address, 2008 http://vimeo.com/1711302 O – Lisa Kristine, “Witness: Illuminating the World of Modern-Day Slavery” (TEDx Talk, 2012) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwB6bPgPol4 O – Diane Savino, “On Marriage Equality” (2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFFxidhcy0 O – Michael Bloomberg, “Speech on Ground Zero Mosque” (2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWRJ17he__I O – Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Address (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHWUCX6osgM O – Lupita Nyong’o, “On Black Beauty” (2014) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPCkfARH2eE O – Chimamanda Adichie, “The Danger of a Single Story,” TED Talk (2009) http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en

WEEK SIX

TUES, 3/3 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Group Exercises

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Group Exercises

THURS, 3/5 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Group Exercises

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Group Exercises

WEEK SEVEN

6 TUES, 3/10 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute values speech (RED-A)

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute values speech (BLUE-A)

THURS, 3/12 Section, RG 20, 4:10 – 6pm, RED GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute values speech (RED-B)

Section, RG 20, 6:10 – 8pm, BLUE GROUP Section Assignment: 4-minute values speech (BLUE-B)

* Happy Hour * Friday 3/27 @ 6pm * Quincy House SCR * 58 Plympton Street *

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