Dr. Tom Weise
Professor of Communication
tomw@cos.edu
Public Speaking
Argumentation Debate
Persuasion
Interpersonal Communication
Group Communication
When I first arrived at COS in 1991,
we offered two Communication courses: Public Speaking and Interpersonal
Communication. It has been a pleasure to watch our department grow to
include Debate, Persuasion, Group Communication, Intercultural
Communication, and Business Communication, with two more courses in the
planning stage. I believe that we have the largest and most diverse
lower-division Communication program of any California Community
College.
I approach my
courses with the philosophy that our theories must be applied to "real
life" in order for understanding to occur and that every Communication
course requires public presentations. I also approach my courses with
the realization that most people are scared to death to do public
presentations so I adapt my pedagogical styles accordingly. My mantra
every semester for dealing with communication apprehension is "Know your
topic, Be organized, Know your audience, and Want to share it!" With
this in mind, students start using their nervous energy instead of the
nervous energy using them.
My first public
speech was in 1968 and I was involved in forensics and debate in High
School, and in College where I earned a 4th place finish in the
Lincoln-Douglas National Debate tournament; and represented the United
States in the First Sino-U.S. Debate tournament held in Xian, People's
Republic of China. I received my degrees from the State of Wisconsin;
the U.S. Army; Fresno City College; California State University, Fresno;
and University of California, Davis. I have taught at the university
of college level since 1988, including a doctoral level course in
Educational Advocacy. I re-wrote the Communication chapter in the
world's best selling business text ("Management of Organizational
Behavior") and helped edit "Catching Success," a business leadership
book. I have performed professional consulting and also volunteer for
the Boys and Girls Club; the S.P.C.A.; and helped form a homeless
veterans assistance group. As I grew up in Wisconsin, I am a die-hard
Packer fan and do NOT miss Brett Favre.