Public Speaking Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Parcells Hall 204L

Office Hours

Message me within the course, and I will get back to you within 24-48 hours. I welcome you to come meet with me in person. My office hours for this semester are listed at the end of this syllabus.

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

SPCH-1315-DC004 Public Speaking

Prerequisites

Course Description

Application of communication theory and practice to the public speaking context, with emphasis on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity and speech organizational techniques to develop students’ speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen Lucas- Special edition for Amarillo College students-purchase at AC bookstore. The package at the bookstore includes a code you will need in order to access the e-book.

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Supplies

\ You will need access to a  reliable computer so you can log in to the class several times a week.

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  • \ Adequate browser capabilities with Netscape or Internet Explorer
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  • \ Windows Media Player
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    Student Performance

    \ Application of cummunication theory and practice to the public speaking context, with emphasis on audience analysis, speaker delivery, ethics of communication, cultural diversity and speech organizational techniques to develop students' speaking abilities, as well as ability to effectively evaluate oral presentations.

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    \ Learning Outcomes: After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the department/program.

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    \ 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundation models of communication.

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    \ 2. Apply elements of audience analysis

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    \ 3. Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic.

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    \ 4. Research, develop, and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and non verbal techniques.

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    \ 5. Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.

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    \ 6. Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.

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    \ 7. Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).

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    Students Rights and Responsibilities

    Student Rights and Responsibilities

    Log in using the AC Connect Portal

    In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

    If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

    Expected Student Behavior

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    1. \ If you arrive late to class, do not enter while someone is giving a speech. Wait outside the classroom door until you are sure the speech is finished before you enter.
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    3. \ Please turn off cell phone ringers before entering the classroom.  
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    5. \ Students will be required to dress appropriately on presentation days. For example, do not show up in a baseball cap, chewing gum, or wearing your sweaty workout clothes if you are presenting a speech.
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    7. \ Students are expected to act respectfully to one another, meaning you need to pay attention to the presenter rather than doing other homework, or looking out the window.
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    9. \ Students are expected to be good listeners while others are giving speeches.
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    11. \ Do not come in and expect to give your speech and leave. I will take off participation points if you leave before class is officially over. I take roll at the beginning and ending of each meeting.   
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    Grading Criteria

    \ Grading Policies:
    \ There will be a total of 1000 points possible in this course.  They are distributed as follows:

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    \ Presentations     

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    \  Total of 400 points, or 40%

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    \ Speech of Introduction                         100 points
    \ Informative Speech w/ Visual Aid       150 points
    \ Persuasive Speech                               150 points

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    \ Written Assignments

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    \ Total of 200 points, or 20%

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    \ Resume / Cover Letter                  100 points
    \ Reflection papers (2)                    100 points  (50 pts each)

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    \ Examinations 

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    \ Total of 300 points, or 30%

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    \ Weekly Quizzes (12)                    200 points  (20 pts each)
    \ (I will drop the 2 lowest quiz grades)
    \ Final Exam                                    100 points

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    \ Participation,
    \  Discussion postings (10)  

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    \ Total of 100 points, or 10%

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    \ Letter Grades:
    \             For Speeches, Tests, and Major Assignments          For the Final Grade
    \                         A = 90 - 100                                       A = 900 - 1000
    \                         B = 80 - 89                                         B = 800 - 899
    \                         C = 70 - 79                                         C = 700 - 799
    \                         D = 60 - 69                                         D = 600- 699
    \                         F =  0-59                                             F = 0-599

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    \ Each student will be allowed to make up one speech if and only if you contact me before the start of class by phone or email and make arrangements with me. If you do not show up for the assigned presentation time and you do not contact me before the absence you will receive a zero on the speech and reflection paper assignment. This could result in a drop of 2 letter grades for missing one speech.

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    \ You will not be allowed to make up quizzes or postings, but I will drop the two lowest quiz grades.

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    \ The resume must be turned in on time or you will receive a zero. If you cannot make it to class to turn in the resume, you will be responsible for emailing it to me on the due date by midnight in order to receive credit.

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    Attendance

    \ You will need to log in to the course 3-4 times weekly to participate in discussion board postings and take weekly exams, and you will be required to attend three mandatory meetings on campus where you will present speeches in front of your classmates.

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    \ If you have perfect attendance you will be exempt from the final. This means that you must have no incomplete work, and everything must be turned in on time. You will also need to have attended all three class meetings to meet the exemption requirements.

    Calendar

    Class Schedule:
    \ The following is a tentative schedule of class topics and activities, as well as due dates for major assignments.  Please note that this schedule may change as the semester progresses. 
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    Topic/Activity/Assignment

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    Reading Assignment

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    Week One                           

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    Introduction to Course and Fellow Students

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    Assignment;Using the discussion board, post a short paragraph telling us general information about yourself. Also include an interesting or unusual fact about yourself. You can also respond to others postings.

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    Quiz

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    Chapter 1

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    Week Two                 

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    Assignment;

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    Post your fears of public speaking on the discussion  board.

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    Quiz

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    Chapter 5

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    Week Three           

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    Assignment; Post on the discussion board an example of  bad delivery skills and how they affected the message being presented.

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    Quiz

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    Chapter 13 & 14

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    Read Introductory Speech Assignment & Prepare Speech for next week

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    Week Four                      

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    1st class meeting on campus  Speeches of Introduction

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    Assignment; Reflection paper due by midnight Sunday.

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    Chapter 9 & 10

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    Read reflection paper assignment

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    Week Five                    

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    Assignment;

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    Post a possible topic for your informative speech. Give other students feedback on their topics also.

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    Quiz

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    Chapter 11

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    Week Six                   

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    Assignment; Post any helpful information you can find about writing resumes.

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    Read Resume Assignment

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    Week Seven             

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    Assignment

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    Quiz

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    Chapter 7 & 8

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    Read Informative Speech Assignment & begin preparing for speech

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    Week Eight               

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    Assignment; Post your comments about some bad powerpoint presentations you have had to sit through. What would have made them better?

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    Quiz

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    Resume is due next week

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    Chapter 15

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    Week Nine               

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    2nd class meeting on campus  Informative Speech with Power Point Presentation

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    Assignment; Upload your reflection paper in the dropbox by midnight Sunday.

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    Read Reflection paper Assignment

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    Bring copy of cover letter, resume, references and job description to class.

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    Week Ten                

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    Assignment; Post some of your own personal ethics and how they relate to public speaking

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    Quiz

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    Chapter 2 

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    Week Eleven           

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    Assignment; #1 Post your persuasive speech topic.

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    #2 Post one or two questions you would like to know about your audience members (audience analysis) to help prepare for your persuasive speech. Also respond to several other postings.

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    Quiz

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    Chapter 6

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    Read Persuasive Speech Assignment & begin working on speech

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    Week Twelve            

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    Assignment; Post an experience that you had when you were persuaded to do something. Which method did the person use to persuade you?

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    Quiz 

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    Chapter 16 & 17

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    Continue to work on speech

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    Week Thirteen           

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    presentations on campus

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    Week Fourteen              

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     Quiz

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    Chapter 18

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    Week Fifteen               

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    Review for final

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    Quiz

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    Chapter 3

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    Week Sixteen             

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    Final Exam

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    Additional Information

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    Syllabus Created on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM

    Last Edited on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM