Business and Professional Speaking Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Course

SPCH-1321-012 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

A Speaker’s Guidebook, 7^th edition, by O’hair, Stewart and Rubenstein

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). Amarillo College has an affordable laptop rental program. Contact the bookstore 371-5000.

• Adequate browser capabilities. Mozilla Firefox works best with this course
• Microsoft Word for typing papers and turning in the dropbox
• A free program called Prezi for creating presentations. You can create an account at www.prezi.com
• 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.

Student Performance

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: 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.

 

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

1. If you arrive late to class, do not enter while someone is giving a speech. Wait outside the classroom door until you are sure the speech is finished before you enter.
2. Please turn off cell phone ringers before entering the classroom.  
3. Students will be required to dress appropriately on presentation days. For example, do not show up in a baseball cap, chewing gum, or wearing your sweaty workout clothes if you are presenting a speech.
4. Students are expected to 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 are expected to be good listeners while others are giving speeches.
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.   

Grading Criteria

Grading Policies:
There will be a total of 1000 points possible in this course.  They are distributed as follows:

 

Presentations		Total of 300 points, or 30%
	“This is Me” presentation                                          100 points Informative presentation with visual aid                    100 points Persuasive presentation                                           100 points
Written Assignments		Total of 200 points, or 20%
	Reflection papers (2)                             100 points (50 pts each) Resume                                                                    100 points
Examinations		Total of 400 points, or 40%
	Weekly Quizzes                                   200 points  (30 pts each) Final Exam                                                                100 points
Participation,  Discussion postings   *Group Critique will be calculated as discussion grade		Total of 100 points, or 10%

Letter Grades:
            For Speeches, Tests, and Major Assignments          For the Final Grade
                        A = 90 - 100                                       A = 900 - 1000
                        B = 80 - 89                                         B = 800 - 899
                        C = 70 - 79                                         C = 700 - 799
                        D = 60 - 69                                         D = 600- 699
                        F =  0-59                                             F = 0-599

Each student will be allowed to make up one speech if and only if you contact me before the start of class by phone or email and make arrangements with me. If you do not show up for the assigned presentation time and you do not contact me before the absence you will receive a zero on the speech and reflection paper assignment. This could result in a drop of 2 letter grades for missing one speech.

You will not be allowed to make up coursework. You have 7 full days to complete them by the due dates.

Attendance

You will need to log in to the course 3-4 times weekly to participate in discussion board postings and take weekly exams. You will be required to attend three mandatory meetings on campus where you will present speeches in front of your classmates, work on team presentations, and critique your classmates presentations.

Calendar

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