Public Speaking Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

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Course

SPCH-1315-004 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:

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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Text:

 “A Speaker’s Guidebook” 7^th edition Dan O’Hair, Rob Stewart and Hannah Rubenstein

Supplies

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 should contact disAbility Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible.

 

Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”

Grading Criteria

Course Materials: Each student must provide writing/note-taking materials

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

          •        Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational models of communication.

          •        Apply elements of audience analysis.

          •        Demonstrate ethical speaking and listening skills by analyzing presentations for evidence and logic.

          •        Research, develop and deliver extemporaneous speeches with effective verbal and nonverbal techniques.

          •        Demonstrate effective usage of technology when researching and/or presenting speeches.

          •        Identify how culture, ethnicity and gender influence communication.

          •        Develop proficiency in presenting a variety of speeches as an individual or group (e.g. narrative, informative or persuasive).

Assignments:

Speeches-Students will deliver 4 major speeches during the course. These speeches account for the bulk of the final grade (60%)

Each student will turn in a typed outline.  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:

Students are responsible for their own chapter readings. I expect you to come to class prepared to engage in discussions and learning activities that relate to the reading assignments.

Chapter Quizzes:

Students will complete a quiz for each week’s chapters. The quizzes are available on-line through the Blackboard site that corresponds with this course. No make ups will be offered. The lowest grade will be dropped.

Final Exam:

Will include material covered during  the course. Will be available on-line during the last week of class.

Extra Credit:

Up to 5 points will be added to your final grade for completing a written analysis of a public speaker.

The assignment is located on the Blackboard site that corresponds with this course under the “Speech Assignment Instructions” link.

Class participation:

This is an 8-week course, so I am expecting students to come to class prepared. This means your chapter readings should be completed before entering class each day.  We will be working on a variety of learning activities, discussions, and group assignments in class. 

Attendance:

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. Much of what we learn about public and professional speaking is gained by listening to other speakers.  It is each student’s responsibility to be an active and valuable member of the audience.

Grading Policy:

Grade distribution works as follows:

4 Major Speeches’

Introduction- 10%

Informative- 20%

Persuasive- 20%

Final Speech-: - 10%

Examinations:

Chapter quizzes- 20%

Final Exam- 10%

Attendance/Participation- 10%

Total- 100%

Letter Grades will be determined as follows:

            •           A-90- 100

            •           B- 80- 89

            •           C- 79-70

            •           D- 69-60

            •           F- below 60

.

Class Policies:

Turn off cell phones or put them on silent ring during class.  No text messaging will be permitted during class. Plagiarism is considered serious academic misconduct.  All speeches and written assignments presented in this class must be original work by the student.  Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade.  No form of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated.  Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disability Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible. Visit the Amarillo College Disability Services website at https://www.actx.edu/disability/

MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES AT AC

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 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 806-371-5450. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is www.actx.edu/arc

 ,

 Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook”

Attendance

Attendance will be recorded daily. After more than 2 absences, points will be deducted from your participation grade regardless of the reason for the absence. Points will also be deducted for coming to class late, or leaving class early. No explanation is needed for tardies or absences.

 

The following criteria will determine the attendance portion of your grade.

No more than 2 absences - 100%

3 absences- 90%

4 absences 80%

5 absences 70%

6 absences 60%

7 absences 50%

8 absences 40%

More than 8 absences 0%

 

Essentially, this translates to raising your grade for terrific attendance and participation in class. More than eight absences will result in final course grade deduction of approximately two full letter grades.

Calendar

Additional Information

No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor.  It is each student’s responsibility to drop a class or withdraw from school in the event he/she decides to quit attending class.

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (located in the Student Services Center 119; phone number 371 5436) as soon as possible.

Every student is required to comply with the policies published in the “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.”