Persuasion is a branch of ancient classical Greco-Roman philosophy, principles, theory, criticism, and practice of Rhetoric taught in departments of Communication. According to Aristotle, Rhetoric and its sub-branch of Persuasion is a practical art. In COMM 313, academic study of Persuasion twins with practical and ethical applications of time-tested methods, strategies, and tactics of persuasive communication; i.e. communicating with different internal and external stakeholders and constituents to influence thought processes, beliefs and attitudes, and behaviors and actions to catalyze and sustain organizational growth & innovations scaled at local, regional, national, and global levels. Students will be well prepared & trained to offer consultations and products suitable for persuasion in a global multicultural digital era. The two broad organizational areas students will be prepared to apply persuasion knowledge and skills are:

Organizational Behavior & Culture

Media Relations

Deliverables will vary depending on the project's scope. However, the paramount goal of this course is to provide students with hands-on experience contributing to conducting practical and ethical persuasion for organizational growth. The class will employ a variety of teaching methods, including academic readings and research-based lectures and discussions, case studies, role play, bullet journalism, active, experiential, tech-based, high impact, diverse & inclusive, and service-learning via the Riipen Platform. The course is in the spirit of a practicum for students to cultivate and hone taking initiative, team work, and demonstrating transactional and transformative leadership styles and skills.

Desirable Learning Outcomes:

1)To contribute to an organization's promotional media materials such as brochures, websites, and social media handles.

2)To contribute to an organization's presentational needs, such as sales pitches & training programs.

3)To contribute to an organization's day-to-day utilization of persuasive communication such as in meetings, negotiations, and conflict resolution.

4)To contribute ideas for persuasive strategies in multicultural, bi/multilingual, and international & global contexts.

Benefits to the employer

• Employers help the university produce highly productive and potential future leaders by complementing and enhancing students' academic study through meaningful work experience.
• Students are available for specific long-term projects or for a series of short-term tasks, depending on employer needs.
• Employers could assess students for their ability, professionalism, and aptitude to become a potential career employee.