Business and Professional Speaking Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

SPCH-1321-004 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Speaker’s Guidebook 7^th Edition  [Text and Reference]

By O’Hair;Stewart;Rubenstien

Supplies

You will need a computer that has internet access, or be able to use the computers in the Ware Student Commons Building

A cell phone with a camera

Eventually you will need Microsoft PowerPoint, or some other kind of media presentation software that will work with or convert to PC.

It is advised to use Microsoft Word for most online submissions.  Please do not use "Pages" from iMac or any other Apple device.  If you do, please convert it to a file that can be downloaded from a PC. It is recommended to buy Microsoft Office for easy submissions, use of PowerPoint and for the rest of your college classes.  It can be beneficial for the entire time you attend college.

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

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.  Pay close attention to the Plagiarism policies.

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.

The following is also a list of student behavior:

 If you were not here for a lecture, then it is up to you to get the notes and assignments from other students in your class. Please don’t come up to me and ask “What did I miss?”  I don’t have enough time in the semester to give private lectures.  I need that time to help you if you didn’t understand something within a lecture.  Be sure and come by anytime for help with anything!!

 

 All cell phones must be put on silent and set on your desk or table in front of you.  You may need them from time to time for research purposes so you need them handy.  (and I can see them)

 

Text messaging during class is not permitted.  Anyone caught text messaging during class is subject to dismissal

 

Ear pods, head phones, etc.  may not be used during class times.

 

If you are not having fun, be sure and let me know……I’ll try and liven it up a little.

If you need any help with anything, be sure and ask, call, or come by after class.  I’m here to teach and to help you any way I can. I am very approachable

Relax, listen, get to know each other, have fun, and enjoy.  No one said that learning couldn't be fun too.

   If you do not have a sense of humor, then please find another speech class that doesn't use any.  If you are easily offended or can easily get your feelings hurt, then you might want to find another speech class that has a safe place for you.  This one does not.  Be ready for anything that might happen....It's called an adventure.  Life is full of them.....it's called...living.

Grading Criteria

GRADING POLICY

•  15%      Miscellaneous: Homework Assignments/Preparation outlines
•  20%      Attendance
•  10%      Exams 
•   5%       1st  Speech (Informative)
•   20%      2^nd Speech (Informative)
•   30%      3^rd Speech (Persuasive)

 

 

GRADING SCHEMA:

 

89.5 -      100 -      A

79.5 -     89.5        B

69.5 -     79.5        C

59.5 -     69.5        D

     0 -     59.5        F

 

Any homework submitted late will be deducted a letter grade for every day that it is late. All late homework must be printed and put in the instructors box.  No emailed assignments will be excepted.  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.  Excuses for absences are not necessary.  An absence for any reason is a loss in the learning process.  However, if an assignment is missed then a valid excuse for the absence is necessary in order to make up the assignment.   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

•  

  and so on........(it's not a good idea to miss class )

    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

SPEECH PRESENTATIONS: Any student who is not ready on the day of speeches will lose a letter grade on their presentation and may have to wait until a later date when all make up speeches might be given, but only if time allows.  If there is not enough time in the semester for make up speeches, then the student should be prepared to accept a grade of zero for that speech.  BE READY ON THE ASSIGNED SPEECH DAY!

 

PREPARATION OUTLINES:   Outlines will be turned in online.  Any late outlines will be deducted a letter grade for every class day that the outline is turned in late.  All late outlines must be printed and turned in to the instructors box on the second floor of Parcells's Hall.

 

EXAMS:  There may be 2 major exams: a mid term and a final.  If time does not allow, then a final exam will be it.  These exams will be given online.  Any pop quizzes will be considered as in-class activities.  Any student who misses a major exam for any reason must accept the possibility of getting a zero for that exam.  It is always a good idea to take the exam as early as possible so any online problems can be fixed or reset.

 

ADDITIONAL HOMEWORK:  All other homework will be submitted online unless instructed different.  Any late papers will be deducted a letter grade for every class day that the paper is turned in late.  All late homework must be printed and turned in to the instructors box on the second floor of Parcells's Hall.