Business and Professional 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-1321-003 Business and Professional Speaking

Prerequisites

Course Description

Study and application of communication within the business and professional context. Special emphasis will be given to communication competencies in presentations, dyads, teams and technologically mediated formats.

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 available in the Amarillo college bookstore.

 

Supplies

Course Requirements:

Student Performance

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

                                       

After completing the required course activities, students will

  1. Recognize and explain basic communication terms and principles.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of theory and competence in preparing and presenting informative and persuasive speeches.
  3. Be able to analyze various communication contexts.
  4. Apply communication principles and theory in diverse circumstances and demonstrate effective communication, distinguishing effective from less effective responses.
  5. Be able to find, identify, and effectively use supporting materials in speech and written assignments.
  6. Understand and discuss how best to avoid plagiarism.
  7. Participate in class and group processes.
  8. Demonstrate courtesy and respect for classmates.
  9. Be able to research job listings and write an effective resume and cover letter

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

\ Behavioral Expectations

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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. \  No administrative withdraws will be initiated by the instructor.
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  7. \ 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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  9. \ 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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  11. \ Students are expected to be good listeners while others are giving speeches.
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  13. \ 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

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\ 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)
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\ 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 = Below 60                                                   F = Below 600
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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.

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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.

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.

Calendar

 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.

We will meet on the Washington St. campus from 6:00-9:00 in Parcells Hall 406 on the following dates:

June 17

July 8

July 22

This is an 8 week course. All assignments for the week open on Monday morning and close on Sunday evening at midnight.

Additional Information

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Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM