Business and Professional Speaking Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

Office Hours

Office hours are by appointment only. I am located out-of-state and am unable to meet with you in person; however, I am always happy to meet with you through a voice call, text or Zoom meeting.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 

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.

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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.

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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-1321-001 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: 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

  • Students will demonstrate appropriate behavior during live video conference sessions
  • Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade.
  • No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor. Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. effective Fall, 2016
  • Students must check their AC email on a daily basis.  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".

Students must abide by all the rules and polices stated in the  Student Rights and Responsibilities bulletin (http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=13&navoid=491)

Grading Criteria

Assignments:

  • Speeches:  Each student will deliver three major individual speeches.  Students must meet the following requirements on every speech:
    • 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.
    • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, each student must either record each speech and submit it to the appropriate discussion forum OR deliver the speech live via video conferencing. Live video conferencing will be held from 6-9 p.m. Monday, June 15, Monday, July 6, and Monday, July 20.
  • Homework and Discussion Postings:  Various written homework assignments and discussion postings will be assigned.
  • Examinations: Weekly quizzes and a comprehensive final exam will be given. 
  • Reading Assignments: Students will complete weekly reading assignments.  Examination questions will draw upon information presented in the textbook and online reading assignments.  Students should complete each week’s reading assignment by the end of the week.

No student will be allowed to make up work without prior permission from the instructor. I reserve the right not to accept makeup work. Makeup 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. Late work may be penalized depending on the circumstances.

Grades in the course are distributed as follows:

  • Self Introduction Speech: 10%
  • Informative Speech: 15%
  • Persuasive Speech: 20% 
  • Quizzes: 10%
  • Homework Assignments:  10%
  • Reflection Papers: 10%
  • Discussion Postings: 10%
  • Final Examination: 15%
     

 

Attendance

As this is an online class, there is no ‘actual’ attendance; however, your participation in discussions and homework will directly affect your grade. Please note that speaking and participation make up a significant portion of the final grade.

Calendar

Additional Information

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

Syllabus Created on:

06/15/20 7:38 PM

Last Edited on:

06/15/20 7:38 PM