Business and Professional Speaking Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Parcells Hall 204L</p>

Office Hours

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

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

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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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-BI07 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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

O’Hair, Stewart, Rubenstein, “A Speakers Guidebook” text and reference

This textbook is tabbed for easy 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.

It is suggested that the student get Microsoft Office, the newest edition.  There are other alternatives, however

Student Performance

SPCH 1321: Business & Professional Communication

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.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

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

2.     Demonstrate essential public speaking skills in professional presentations.

3.     Demonstrate written and oral competencies as it relates to employment (including job searches, interviews, interpersonal interaction, conflict management, leadership and performance appraisals.)

4.     Apply essential dyadic and small group processes as they relate to the workplace.

5.     Utilize various technologies as they relate to competent communication.

6.     Demonstrate effective cross-cultural communication.

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

ANY STUDENT WHO, BECAUSE OF A DISABLING CONDITION, MAY REQUIRE SOME SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS IN ORDER TO MEET COURSE REQUIREMENTS. CONTACT “ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES” (SSC125, 371-5436) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

In addition every student will also be required to comply with the policies as published in the “Students Rights & Responsibilities” booklet. This publication may be acquired through the office of the Dean of Student Services.

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.

Grading Criteria

Grading Policy:

 

25% Discussion Forums/Work sheets/Preparation outlines

15% Exams (Mid term, Final)

10% 1st Speech

20% 2nd Speech

30% 3rd Speech (the big one)

 

Grading Schema:

100  to  89.5    = A

89.4  to  79.5   = B

79.4  to  69.5   = C

69.4  to  59.5   = D

59.4  to  0        = F

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. 

Discussion forums will not have make ups.  Once the forum is shut down there will be no one in there to read your posts or replies to another student so it would be a useless effort.  Therefore, if you miss the discussion during the week, you get a 0 for that discussion. 

There will be a lot of discussions during the semester with a lot of chances to bring up a grade if a discussion is missed. 

The best bet? Don’t miss a discussion!…….it’s not rocket science, just read the chapter and discuss.  It’s just that easy!

Attendance

Attendance: Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  However, since this is an online class, the only attendance will be during presentations.  It is also recommended to sign on to the course no less than 3 times a week, even if it is just to check any email.  Your email should be checked every time you sign on to the AC Portal.  Our only communication with each other is through email and I quite often send very important announcements to the entire class through email.

Calendar

Week One:, Introductions, Getting Started; Giving it a try; Ethics; Delivery

Week Two: Topics, Purposes, Organization, Outlines 1st Speech Presentations

Week Three: Informative Speaking, Introductions and Conclusions. Writing a Resume

Week Four: Interviews, Interviewing, Visual Aids 2nd Speech Presentations

Week Five: Gathering, Supporting & Bibliographies; Mid Term Exam 

Week Six: Speaking to Persuade; Listening; Analyzing Audiences

Week Seven: Special Occasions; Working in Groups & Final Speech Presentations

Week Eight: Final Exam

This schedule is subject to change at any time during the semester.

Additional Information

If you are having problems with anything at all, please email me and I will try to help.  If I can’t help I might be able to send you to someone that can.  If I can’t do that, I will try to find out how you can be helped.  If I can’t do that, I can at least give great moral support.  Email me – I am very approachable with a good sense of humor and easy going. I’m easy to talk to.  Because I am usually teaching two or three online classes I check my emails 8 to 10 time a day.  I will try to respond to your email as soon as I possibly can. Usually the same day or the next.

Grades for speeches and homework will be returned within 2 weeks; Usually much sooner

 

Syllabus Created on:

10/16/17 11:53 AM

Last Edited on:

10/23/17 9:52 AM