Public Speaking Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

SPCH-1315-DC002 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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

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.

 

 

Supplies

• The custom textbook listed above
• Adequate browser capabilities (Mozilla Firefox and Chrome seem to work best with Blackboard)
• Microsoft Word or Google Docs
• Prezi (you can sign up for a free student account at www.prezi.com)
• Access to a reliable computer several times a week
• Access to a printer
• 3 self addressed, stamped envelopes to bring to campus on speech days (we will be mailing back your graded speeches)

Student Performance

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.

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.

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

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 non verbal techniques.

5. Demonstrate effective usage 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

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.
2. Please turn off cell phone ringers before entering the classroom.  
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.
4. Students are expected to present speeches that adhere to the time limits given in assignment instructions.  Speeches significantly under and over time limits will have points deducted.
5. 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.
6. Students are expected to be good listeners while others are giving speeches.
7. 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.   
8. This is a college course, and when you have a question or concern about the course, you should contact your Amarillo College instructor. Please do not have your High School teacher, your parent, or another classmate ask questions for you.
9. It is my policy to not accept late work.  I will not re-open assignments or quizzes.  This includes assignments which are turned in using an incorrect format (see #11 below).  This also includes files that were submitted after the Sunday at 11:59 p.m. deadline.  Only in extreme cases will I accept late work, and I will review those request on a case by case basis.
10. All work completed in the course must be typed.
11. Work that is turned in using incorrect formatting (.pages or .gdoc) will not be graded.  Please upload only .docx or .pdf assignments. 

Grading Criteria

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

 

Presentations		Total of 400 points, or 40%
	Speech of Introduction                       100 points Informative Speech w/ Prezi               150 points Persuasive Speech w/ Visual Aid       150 points Library Group Assignment – details explained later
Written Assignments		Total of 200 points, or 20%
	Resume / Cover Letter                  100 points Reflection papers (2)                    100 points  (50 pts each) Library group critique sheet – details explained later
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%

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

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.

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

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.

 

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.

If you have perfect attendance you will be exempt from the final. This means that you must have no incomplete work, (no zeroes in the gradebook) 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

Additional Information

If you enroll for the class after the start of the term, please email me at courtney@amarillocollege.com.  I will need to make arrangements for you to access the materials your classmates have already completed.  This is our best efforts to help you be successful in the course.  I typically give student’s a week to complete the materials they missed prior to their enrolling in the course.