Public Speaking Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

SPCH-1315-014 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

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

A Speaker’s Guidebook, 6^th edition, by O’hair, Stewart and Rubenstein

Text ISBN: 978-1-457-66353-6

Supplies

• You will need access to a reliable computer so you can log in to the class several times a week. Have a plan “B” prepared just in case your computer or internet is not working. (Computer labs on campus, Public library, friends house, Starbucks, etc)
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• Adequate browser capabilities. Mozilla Firefox works best with this course
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• Microsoft Word or knowledge of using Google Docs for typing papers and turning assignments into the dropbox
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• If you have a Macintosh (Apple) computer you will need to know how to convert Pages documents into .pdf files.  I can not and will not grade anything submitted as a Pages document.  A zero will be assigned for assignments submitted as a Pages file.
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• Additionally, I can not grade direct links to Google Drive documents.  Download the files as .pdf files and then submit them.  A zero will be assigned for assignments submitted as a Google Drive links.
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•  A free program called Prezi for creating presentations. You can create an account at www.prezi.com
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• A general idea of how to navigate online courses, upload assignments, etc. If you are new to AC online classes, please take the online orientation.  There are several tools located within our course ("Start Here: Classroom" "Start Here: Course Orientation") to help you be successful in our online environment.

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.

Evaluation of Objectives

Learning Objective	THECB Skill	Assessment(s)
Demonstrate an understanding of the foundation models of communication.	Critical Thinking	Assessed through exam questions
Apply elements of audience analysis	Critical Thinking	Assessed through informative and persuasive speeches and audience analysis survey
Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic.	Communication (written)/Critical Thinking	Assessed through two, 2-page essays
Research, develop, and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.	Personal Responsibility	Assessed through informative and persuasive speeches and Library Group Work assignment
Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.	Communication (visual)	Assessed through Prezi, PowerPoint or Google Slides presentations prepared by students for introduction and Library Group Work assignment
Identify how culture, ethnicity, and gender influence communication.	Team Work	Assessed through Library Group Work assignment
Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative, or persuasive).	Communication (written/visual)/Critical Thinking	Assessed through written outlines and public performances of three speeches.

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

Expected Student Behavior

1. If you arrive late to class on performance days, do not enter while someone is giving a speech.  Always wait outside the classroom door until you are sure the speech is finished before you enter.  Entering during another student’s performance will result in a five-point deduction from your speech.
2. Please turn off cell phone ringers before entering the classroom.  
3. Students will be required to dress appropriately for presentation days.  For example, do not show up in a baseball cap or slouchy knit cap, chewing gum, or wearing your sweaty workout clothes if you are presenting a speech.  If you need assistance with appropriate attire, please visit the Advocacy & Resource Center Clothing Closet (first floor, Ware Student Commons).
4. Students will act respectfully to one another, meaning you need to pay attention to the presenter rather than doing other homework or looking out the window.
5. Students will be good listeners while others are giving speeches.  Being a bad listener includes, but is not limited to, working on your own visual aids during other speaker’s performances, working on homework for another course, or using electronic devices during our time together.
6. 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. 

During lecture days:

1. I assume everyone in the class wants to be here to learn as much as possible about being a better public speaker.  With that, I know it's easy to feel comfortable in a classroom where we spend so much time together.  Please, do feel comfortable, but remember this is a learning environment.  We're all here to become better.  Let's respect each others time, effort and energy.
2. If you must come in late, do so as respectfully as possible.  Other students are trying to learn and have conversations about the material.  If the sign-in sheet has already been passed around, it will not be available to register a students attendance.  If coming in late, plan on asking a classmate for a copy of his/her notes, or a general rundown of the conversation and/or activity we did during class time.  
3. Students should be prepared to stay the entire class period.    Doctor's appointments, parent/teacher conferences, job shifts, make-up testing and the like should be scheduled outside of class time.  Please take the next couple of days to reschedule any appointments or conflicts with our class time. 
4. Students should not start packing up their belongings until the class has been released by the faculty member.  Doing so disrupts the learning of others and isn't respectful of their time, effort and energy.
5. Students are expected to take notes.  My lecture style is based on conversations; however, students must take notes on the conversations to help develop meaning from the material covered.
6. Students should sign in their attendance during each class session.
7. If you need to use the restroom, please, make yourself comfortable.  However, excessive restroom breaks may require a note from a medical professional.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

“Contained within the following pages are those major policies and regulations which directly affect the students at Amarillo College.  It is very important that you take the time to familiarize yourself with this information since it deals with your “rights” and your “responsibilities” as an AC student.”  Please note the section on plagiarism as it pertains to the creation of speeches for this course.

ACConnect Classes

Your instructor will be using ACConnect to post your grades and to receive your assignments through Dropboxes provided under the “Dropboxes” area.  ACConnect will also be used to post announcements about the class and any events (i.e., bad weather) that would lead to the cancellation of class.

Checking Grades

Periodically checking your course grade through the “My Grades” feature will help you be successful in the course.  More specifically, if you see a small blue speech bubble next to your grade I have left comments/feedback on the assignment.  Those comments help drive your success in the course.  I may ask for resubmissions, specifically rewriting, clarification, or other information within a stated period.  I assume students read and review the feedback given.  Students who fail to reply or follow through with feedback comments within the extended timeframe will lose the opportunity.

Campus Email

Amarillo College students receive all official College information through their @amarillocollege.com account.  As a rule, I will be contacting you through your @amarillocollege.com account for all things related to our class, presentations, etc.  Emails act as a final notification of important class information.  If a student has further questions or needs clarification, it is up to the student to contact the faculty member.

Email conversations

As a rule, email conversations are a form of business writing.  In that, I reserve the right to request clarification as needed understand the question posed.  I also expect our conversations to be collegial, or that of a partnership.  Please ensure you are using appropriate grammar/punctuation.  When referring to yourself, please use “I” and not “i.”  Please use periods, questions marks, and exclamation points to clarify where your individual thoughts end.  If you struggle with grammar (as I do), please consider using Grammarly.

Additionally, please consider the tone of your email.  Below is an example of a poor communication attempt (both in tone and in grammar).

Writer's Corner & SmarThinking

Both the Writer's Corner and the online tutoring platform, SmarThinking have tools beneficial to the course content.  If you struggle with writing, want to make sure you are citing references correctly, or whether or not you've developed your speech argument fully, the Writer's Corner or SmarThinking can assist you.

Grading Criteria

 

Grading Criteria Presentations – 40% Speech of Introduction – 100 points (75 points for speech, 25 points for outline) Informative Speech w/ Visual Aid – 150 points (100 pts for speech/25 pts for outline/25 pts for visual aid) Persuasive Speech – 150 points (100 pts for speech/50 pts for outline) Written Assignments – 10% Reflection papers (2) – 100 points each (one after Introduction and one after Informative Speeches) Examinations – 40% Weekly Quizzes (see section on Weekly Quizzes for more details) Final Exam Library Group PowerPoint Faculty reserves the right to add additional daily work quizzes Participation – 10% Discussion Postings Library Group Critique Faculty reserves the right to add additional daily work quizzes Weekly Quizzes Quizzes are 20 questions long, may be taken twice, and each quiz must be taken in one sitting Each question is worth 5 points Highest grade earned is recorded Students may use their book and/or notes to complete the quiz, but not their neighbor, friend, family, colleague or any other word used to describe another fellow human Quizzes must be completed in 40 minutes (automatically submitted) Quiz attempts will not be reset.  Before starting students should have a strong, reliable internet connection. Earning Your Grade There is no “grade recovery” in my course.  You will be awarded the grade that you have earned (both on assignments and in the class).  Final grades will be assigned on the following basis: A B C D F 90-100 80-89.9 70-79.9 60-69.9 0-59.9 Late Work & Make-Up Performance Policies Late work is not accepted.  Specifically, speeches, written assignments, discussions, examinations, and participation grades are due by the stated due date.  Earned grades will be posted within the ACConnect Class grade book.

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.

Discussion board posts are due by Thursday's at 11:59 p.m.  Follow-up comments on your classmate's posts are due by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.  It is recommended that students post Monday-Thursday then come back Thursday-Sunday to comment on classmates postings.

Calendar

Additional Information

Computer files

Students will be required to submit all written documents (outlines, papers, assignments, etc.) as Word (.docx) or Portable Digital Files (.pdf).  

If you have a Macintosh (Apple) computer you will need to know how to convert Pages documents into .pdf files.  I can not and will not grade anything submitted as a Pages document.  A zero will be assigned for assignments submitted as a Pages file.

Additionally, I can not grade direct links to Google Drive documents.  Download the files as .pdf files and then submit them.  A zero will be assigned for assignments submitted as a Google Drive links.

Late Assignments/Work/Quizzes

In general, I do not accept late quizzes, assignments or late work; however, if after speaking with a student during an appointment about the extenuating circumstances, I may decide to accept the late work with a late point deduction.  I make this decision on a case by case basis.  The standard deduction is 10 points off of the final grade earned for the assignment.

Our Relationship

I cannot wait to work with you!  Your success is vitally important to you and our community.  I can't wait to watch you soar!

However, even in the best scenarios, events could happen to damped our relationship.  Here's how I would like us to handle it together.

1. Please schedule an appointment with me here.  Come to my office during our time together, and present your concerns.  I will listen.  This step is critical to us both.  As a communications faculty member, I strive to model the skills I teach outside of the classroom.  I expect my students to model this as well.
2. After you have presented your concerns, I will take the opportunity to visit with you if there are any concerns I have about your success.  
3. If I see there is an error in my attempts, or if I simply didn't do the right thing, I will apologize and work with you to make the situation right.  However, if I believe the issue doesn't lie within my teaching and/or behavior, I will ask you to abide by my decision.
4. If at this point, you do not feel you have received the appropriate considerations, you may ask for the next step in the process.  I will help you navigate the process to find resolution.

Faculty Member Rights

On occasion I may need to alter the contents of this document to enhance and strengthen the learning environment (for one student or the whole class).  I reserve the right to adjust the syllabus (including posted office hours) as necessary.

Once you have successfully completed this course...

You need to update your resume!  Use the following guidelines to update your skills.

If you earned an "A":

1. Superior knowledge and demonstration of the foundation models of communication through audience analysis.
2. Superior exhibition of being an ethical speaker and listener, as well as, excellence in understanding how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.
3. Superior ability to research, develop, and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and non verbal techniques.
4. Superior use of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.
5. Superior ability to present various types of presentations (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).
6. Superior demonstration of leadership within group environments showing courtesy and respect for clients and co-workers.

If you earned an "B":

1. Excellent knowledge and demonstration of the foundation models of communication through audience analysis.
2. Exhibits exceptional skills in being an ethical speaker and listener, as well as, excellence in understanding how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.
3. Excellent ability to research, develop, and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and non verbal techniques.
4. Excellent use of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.
5. Excellent ability to present various types of presentations (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).
6. Demonstration of participation in groups showing courtesy and respect for clients and co-workers.

If you earned an "C":

1. Knowledge and demonstration of the foundation models of communication through audience analysis.
2. Skills in being an ethical speaker and listener, as well as, excellence in understanding how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.
3. Ability to research, develop, and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and non verbal techniques.
4. Use of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.
5. Ability to present various types of presentations (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).
6. Participation with groups, practicing courtesy and respect for clients and co-workers.