Business and Professional Speaking Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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Course

SPCH-1321-024 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

O’Hair; Stewart; Rubenstein  “A Speaker’s Guidebook” (A text and reference)

Supplies

You must be available to a computer that has the internet. (check the library if you don't)
You will eventually need Microsoft PowerPoint, or some other media software that can work with  or be converted to PC.

You need to be able to take notes.

Student Performance

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

There will be no administrative withdrawals from this class after the last day to withdraw. Students are considered adults, and should be able to accept responsibility to withdraw if it becomes necessary. We hope this never happens.

Cell Phones

   Students must put their cell phones on silent or turned off when entering the class.  No Student may answer their cell phones during class unless there is an emergency and it has been arranged with the instructor before class time.

NO TEXTING ONCE CLASS BEGINS,

UNTIL CLASS HAS BEEN DISMISSED BY THE INSTRUCTOR.

Grading Criteria

Grading Policy:

 

10% Miscellaneous: Homework Assignments/Preparation outlines

15% Attendance

20% Exams (Mid term, Final)

5% 1st Speech

20% 2^nd Speech

30% 3^rd Speech

Any homework submitted late will be deducted a letter grade for every day that it is late. Speeches that are not presented at the scheduled time will be given a 0. 

Attendance

Attendance: Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. This course requires participation and attendance since many activities cannot be duplicated. Additionally, much of what we learn about public and professional speaking is gained by listening to other speakers. It is the student’s responsibility to be an active and valuable member of the audience as classmates make presentations. The following criteria will determine the grade for attendance.

 

No more than 2 absences – 100

3 absences - 80

4 absences – 70

5 absences –  60

6 absences – 50

7 absences - 40

8 absences - 30

9 absences - 20

10 absences - 10

11 absences or more - 0

  Any student who missed a class during speech days, whether it is their speech or another students speech, will be counted as 2 absences unless there is a state of emergency or illness.

 

Calendar

Additional Information