Public Speaking Syllabus for 2015-2016
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

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-1315-015 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

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Text:   Lucas, S.E. The Art of Public Speaking, Custom Edition. New York: McGraw Hill.

Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

 

\ \

Learning Outcomes:    

\ \

1. Demonstrate communication competence and critical thinking through an understanding of the foundational communication models.

\ \

2  Apply elements of audience analysis..

\ \

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

\ \

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

\ \

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

\ \

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

\ \

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

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

CLASS POLICIES:

 

•   This is a participation class. Regular attendance is necessary for you to reap the benefits of being present each time.  Class participation will count as 10% of your final grade.  Attendance will also count as 5% of your final grade.
• Day 1 Get-Acquainted Activities will be 5% of your final grade.
•   All speeches/projects must be delivered on the assigned days.  Your informative/demonstration speech will count as 20% of your final grade.  Your persuasive speech will also count as 20% of your final grade.  You should have at least three souces for each speech..
•   A typed, double-spaced outline of each speech presentation must be turned in at the time of the speech.  A bibliography of sources must be attached to the outline. A minimum of three sources is required for each presentation.
•   Plagiarism is serious academic misconduct.  Your speeches must be your own work, and information in your speeches must have source citations.  Any discovered plagiarism will result in a grade of 0.
•  You will have one major exam which will count as 15% of your final grade.  Your second exam and/or mini-project will count as 10% of your final grade. Exams will consist of objective and discussion questions.
• A group project will be presented at the end of the semester.  This project will count as 15% of your final grade.
•   There will be no administrative withdrawal.  Each student is responsible for his/her own withdrawal.  Grades will be given on required work, not just completed work. Cell phones and pagers must be turned off or be on mute during class.
•   Extra credit grades may be arranged with the instructor.

 

Grading Criteria

GRADING POLICY

\ \

 

\ \

90 – 100 = A
\ 80 – 89   = B
\ 70 – 79   = C
\ 60 – 69   = D
\ 59 – 0     = F

Attendance

No attendance information available

Calendar

Additional Information

GUIDELINES FOR MAJOR SPEECHES:

\ \

 

\ \

DEMONSTRATION SPEECH:  This is a five minute speech in which you demonstrate something for the class.  Demonstrate how to make something or how to do something.  This speech is more hands on with you demonstrating how to make a recipe, how to make a craft, how to fly fish, how to break dance, how to paint a picture, etc.  Try to think of something you do well and that others would enjoy learning.  See Class Policies section for outline and reference requirements.

\ \

 

\ \

INFORMATIVE SPEECH:  This is a six minute speech in which you are informing your audience about something that they might not know much about.  Think of something you have experience with or are really interested in learning more about.  See Class Policies section for outline and reference requirements.

\ \

 

\ \

PERSUASIVE SPEECH:  This is a seven minute speech in which you are trying to convince the audience to believe or support something that they do not currently support or believe.  Controversial topics work well for the persuasive venue, but there are other possible choices.   See Class Policies section for outline and reference requirements.

\ \

 

\ \

RESUME’/COVER LETTER/INTERVIEW PROCESS: Each student will prepare a resume’, write a cover letter, select an employment opportunity, and engage in a mock interview process as an interviewee or an interviewer. Subject to change to small group project.

\ \

AD ANALYSIS: Each student will analyze an advertisement.

\ \

GROUP PROJECT: Students will work in groups to experience the democratic process at work.