Business and Professional Speaking Syllabus for 2019-2020
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

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.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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.

Privacy Statement

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-H 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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Speaker's Guidebook, Dan O'Hair, Rob Stewart, Hannah Rubenstein. Seventh Edition. ISBN 1319059414, Copyright 18. Older editions are acceptable.

 

Supplies

Each student must provide writing/note-taking materials and have access to the Internet either through campus labs or at home.

 

Student Performance

Course Objectives: (Note: this is a combined 1315/1321 section so the objectives of both courses will be met)
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 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.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.
8. Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic
9. Research, develop and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.
10. Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.
11. Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.
12. Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).
13. Utilize various technologies as they relate to competent 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

• Students will arrive for class on time. Consistent late arrival will impact class participation grade.
• Turn off cell phones or put them on silent ring during class.
• Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade.
• No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor.

Grading Criteria

Assignments:

Speeches:  Each student will deliver three major individual speeches and one team speech.  Students must meet the following requirements on every speech:

• Each student will turn in a typed outline on the day of the speech;
• Speeches will be graded on delivery, organization and content;
• Speakers will deliver their speeches extemporaneously—that is, the speaker will be familiar enough with the speech to rely only on a few note-cards.  Writing the speech in essay form is unnecessary and counterproductive.
• Speakers will not stand behind a podium, chew gum or wear a hat while speaking.

Homework:  Various written homework assignments will be given throughout the semester.  Performance on these assignments will impact student’s participation grade.

Live Radio Presentation: This project allows Honors Speech students to use the communication concepts they have learned in speech class to create a clear, compelling persuasive message, which will be presented in a live radio interview

Examinations: A comprehensive final exam will be given.  The exam may consist of multiple choice, true/false, list and explain, define, describe, short answer, application and essay questions.

Class Participation:  Each student’s class participation grade will consider participation in class discussions, impromptu speeches, work done in groups and attendance. Remember, you can’t participate if you don’t attend.

Reading Assignments: Students will complete weekly reading assignments online and in the textbook.  Class discussion and examination questions will draw upon information presented in the textbook and online reading.   Students should complete each week’s reading assignment by the end of the week.

Grades in the course are distributed as follows:

• Self Introduction Speech: 10%
• Informative Speech: 20%
• Persuasive Speech: 20% 
• Live Radio Presentation (aka Honors Project): 20%
• Final Examination: 10%
• Homework Assignments:  10%
• Class Participation/Attendance: 10%

All late work will be penalized.

No student will be allowed to make up work without prior permission from the instructor. I reserve the right not to accept make-up work. Make-up work will only be accepted if a student has a valid and compelling reason to have missed the original speaking date and has contacted me to arrange to make up a speech.

Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

A=90-100

B=80-89

C=70-79

D=60-69

F=below 60

 

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory achievement. Your participation in discussions and activities will directly affect your grade. Daily attendance will be recorded. Points will be deducted from your participation grade for more than two absences-- regardless of the reason for the absence. Please note that speaking and participation make up 70% of the final grade.

 

Calendar

Additional Information

Students' grades and additional resources/information will be available through AC Connect/Blackboard.