Public Speaking Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

SPCH-1315-DC001 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen Lucas- Special edition for Amarillo College students-purchase at AC bookstore.

Supplies

You will need access to a reliable computer so you can log in to the class several times a week. There are computers available for use while on campus also.

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• Adequate browser capabilities with Mozilla Firefox
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• Windows Med

  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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  2. Please turn off cell phone ringers before entering the classroom.  
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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. Students are expected to be good listeners while others are giving speeches.
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  6. 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. The last speakers of the day deserve a full audience as well as the first speakers.
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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      \		\ \  Total of 400 points, or 40% \
  \ \      \	\ \ Speech of Introduction                         100 points \ Informative Speech w/ Visual Aid       150 points \ Persuasive Speech                               150 points \	\ \   \
  \ \ Written Assignments \		\ \ Total of 200 points, or 20% \
  \ \     \	\ \ Resume / Cover Letter                  100 points \ Reflection papers (2)                    100 points  (50 pts each) \	\ \   \
  \ \ Examinations  \		\ \ Total of 300 points, or 30% \
  \ \       \	\ \ Weekly Quizzes (12)                    200 points  (20 pts each) \ (I will drop the 2 lowest quiz grades) \ Final Exam                                    100 points \	\ \   \
  \ \ Participation, \  Discussion postings (10)   \		\ \ 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 2-3 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. Essentially, if you have no zeroes in the gradebook at the end of the semester, you do not have to take the final.

  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 \	\ Reading Assignment \
  \ Week One                            \	\ Introduction to Course and Fellow Students    Assignment;                   Using the discussion board, post a short paragraph telling us general information about yourself. Include an interesting or unusual fact about yourself. You are encouraged to respond to others postings. Quiz \	\ Chapter 1 \
  \ Week Two                  \	\ Assignment; \ \ Print a copy of the PRCA. After taking and scoring it, post your fears of public speaking on the discussion board. Include your results from the PRCA (Personal Report of Communication Apprehension) \ \ Quiz \	\ Chapter 5 \ \ Read Introductory Speech Assignment and begin preparing Speech \
  \ Week Three            \	\ Assignment; \ \ Search the internet, movies, you tube, etc. and find an example of good or bad speech delivery. Post a link to the video in the discussion board, and explain what makes the video good or bad. \ \ Quiz \	\ Chapter 13 & 14 \ \ Finish the speech outline and practice your delivery for next week. \
  \ Week Four                       \	\ 1st class meeting on campus  Speeches of Introduction \ \ Bring 2 copies of your outline and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to class. \ \ Assignment; Reflection paper due by midnight Sunday. \	\ Chapter 9 & 10 \ \ Read reflection paper assignment \
  \ Week Five                     \	\ Assignment; \ \ Post a possible topic for your informative speech. Give other students feedback on their topics also. \ \ Quiz \	\ Chapter 11 \
  \ Week Six                    \	\ Assignment; Post any helpful information you can find about writing resumes. \ \ Library group assignment opens- You have 2 weeks to complete it. \	\ Read Resume Assignment \
  \ Week Seven              \	\ Assignment \ \ Library group assignment and critique sheet due this week \ \ Quiz \	\ Chapter 7 & 8 \ \ Read Informative Speech Assignment & begin preparing for speech \
  \ Week Eight                \	\ Assignment; The chapter talks about personalizing your ideas, and being creative. For this discussion, think of any informative topic and give a specific example of how you can either personalize it, or be creative in writing the speech. \ \ Quiz \ \ Work on Informative speech and prezi for next week \ \ Resume is due next week \	\ Chapter 15 \
  \ Week Nine                \	\ 2nd class meeting on campus  Informative Speech with Prezi                        Bring all required materials to class \ \ Assignment; Upload your reflection paper in the dropbox by midnight Sunday. \	\ Read Reflection paper Assignment \
  \ Week Ten                 \	\ Assignment; #1 Post your persuasive speech topic. \ \ #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. \ \ Quiz \	\ Chapter 6  \ \ Read Persuasive Speech Assignment & begin working on speech \
  \ Week Eleven            \	\ Assignment; Post an experience that you had when you were persuaded to do something. Which method did the person use to persuade you? \ \ Quiz  \	\ Chapter 16 & 17 \ \ Continue to work on speech \
  \ Week Twelve             \	\ Continue working on speech and visual aids \	\ No reading this week \
  \ Week Thirteen            \	\ Persuasive speech presentations on campus \ \ Bring 2 copies of your outline and a self-addressed, stamped envelope \
  \ Week Fourteen               \	\ Lesson 14 Quiz \ \ Lesson 15 Quiz \	\ Chapter 19     Chapter 3 \
  \ Week Fifteen                \	\   \
  \ Week Sixteen              \	\ Final Exam \

  Additional Information

  This is considered an enhanced online class, meaning the majority of the work is delivered and completed online. We will also meet three times on campus to present speeches and listen to your classmates speeches. Check the homepage of your course in ACConnect for specific dates, times and location of your presentations.

  Syllabus Created on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM

  Last Edited on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM