Basic Information

Course Code:

POLS 221

Course Name:

Presentation Skills

Language of Instruction:

English

Course Type:

Class

Course Level:

Bachelor

ECTS:

3.00

Instructor:

Öğr. Gör. Müge ARDUÇOĞLU

Course Objectives

The aim of this course is to develop students’ English presentation and speaking skills in academic and political contexts. The course focuses on enabling students to prepare and deliver structured and persuasive presentations on political and philosophical topics, express their ideas clearly and effectively, engage with an audience, and respond to questions critically. It also aims to improve students’ use of academic language, discourse organization, and presentation techniques.

Course Content

This course covers integrated language skills supported by academic and political content, with a focus on developing presentation skills. Throughout the course, students analyze texts related to political science and political philosophy, engage in listening activities, and produce both written and spoken outputs based on these materials. Students prepare informative and persuasive presentations, practice presentation techniques (introduction, development, conclusion, body language, use of visual aids), and receive peer feedback. The course also supports critical thinking, argumentation, and academic discussion skills.

Prerequisites / Corequisites

None.

Course Books / Materials / Recommended Resources

Course materials consist of selected academic reading texts, listening materials, and presentation samples provided by the instructor. These include texts on political science and political philosophy topics (such as liberalism, utilitarianism, and social contract theories), as well as video content from sources such as TED-Ed and similar platforms.All materials are shared with students via the Learning Management System (LMS). Students are expected to follow these materials regularly and actively use them in their presentation preparation processes.

Learning Outcomes

Code	Description
LO1	Sunum sürecinde dinleyici sorularına uygun ve eleştirel yanıtlar verebilir.
LO2	Express opinions on political and philosophical topics clearly, coherently, and with supporting arguments.
LO3	Analyze different perspectives and evaluate them critically and constructively in presentation or discussion settings.
LO4	Use appropriate academic language, terminology, and discourse structures effectively in presentations.
LO5	Apply presentation techniques such as content organization (introduction–body–conclusion), use of visual aids, and body language in informative and persuasive presentations.
LO6	Produce spoken and short written outputs (e.g., presentation notes, summaries) based on academic content.
LO7	Respond appropriately and critically to audience questions during presentations.

Weekly Course Content

Week	Content
1	Course Overview and Introduction Presentation Skills: Public speaking, steps of giving a speech, analyzing a sample presentation
2	Reading: Introduction to Political Philosophy Listening: What is Political Philosophy Writing: Introduction to reflection paragraph Presentation Skills: Topic selection, visual aids
3	Reading: Utilitarianism Listening: Utilitarian Governments Writing: Reflection Presentation Skills: Outlines, introductions and conclusions
4	Reading: Liberalism Listening: Moral foundations of ideologies Writing: Reflection Presentation Skills: Oral citations, presentation language
5	Reading: Aristotle and Kant Listening: Ethics theories Writing: Reflection Presentation Skills: Body language, rehearsal
6	Informative Presentations
7	Informative Presentations
8	Midterm Exam
9	Feedback and language practice Writing: Introduction to position statement
10	Reading: Communitarianism Listening: Communitarianism Writing: Position statement Presentation Skills: Persuasive speech
11	Reading: Social Contract Theories Listening: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau Writing: Critical response Presentation Skills: Organizing persuasive speech
12	Reading: Reason and tradition Listening: Rationalism Writing: Position statement Presentation Skills: Rehearsals
13	Review for Final Exam
14	Persuasive Presentations
15	Persuasive Presentations
16	Final Exam
17	Final Exam

Workload Calculation

Activity	Count	Duration (Hours)	Total
Attendance	14	3.00	42.00
Pre-Class Individual Study	14	3.00	42.00
Midterm Exam/Preparation	1	10.00	10.00
Final Exam/Preparation	1	15.00	15.00
Homework	4	5.00	20.00
Research Presentation	2	6.00	12.00
Total Workload (Hours)			141
ECTS Credit (Workload / 25)			5

Assessment

#	Assessment Type	Contribution (%)
1	Midterm Exam	%30
2	Quiz	%10
3	Quiz	%20
4	Final Exam	%40
TOTAL		%100

PO - LO Matrix

PO \ LO	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5	LO6	LO7
PO-1
PO-2
PO-3
PO-4
PO-5
PO-6
PO-7

1

Low Contribution

2

Medium Contribution

3

High Contribution

Teaching and Learning Methods

#	Method Name	Description	Tools
1	Lecture (expository teaching), interactive discussion	Listening and taking notes.	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools (projector, computer, digital presentations)
2	Controversial Course	Listening and comprehension, critical thinking	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools, projector, computer, overhead projector
3	Brainstorming	The purpose of forming pairs is to ensure that they are open to innovation during the idea generation phase	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools, projector, computer, overhead projector
4	Small Group Discussion	Listening and comprehension, processing observations/situations, critical thinking, question development	Standard classroom technologies, multimedia tools, projector, computer, overhead projector
5	Homework	Solving and analyzing homework questions using a computer and Excel.	Computer
6	Group Work	Students determine the slope and cross-sectional geometric characteristics of a parabolic irrigation canal on campus, plot the flow rate curve at different sections of the canal, and submit a report.	Land surveying instruments

Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence

Students are expected to adhere to the principles of academic integrity throughout the course. All sources used in assignments, presentations, and exams must be properly acknowledged.Artificial intelligence tools (e.g., for text generation, translation, or content development) may be used only as supportive tools. The direct and uncritical use of AI-generated content may be considered an academic violation.Any form of plagiarism, cheating, or academic misconduct will be handled in accordance with the university’s disciplinary regulations.

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